Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024
the First Week of Advent
the First Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary Haydock's Catholic Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentary on Sirach 2". "Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/hcc/sirach-2.html. 1859.
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentary on Sirach 2". "Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/
Verse 2
Heaven. After the death of Josias, the nation was exposed to the greatest misery. Its kings were imprisoned by the Egyptians, and then by the Chaldeans; and surprising changes took place, all during the space of eight or nine years.
Verse 3
Daughter. This is not mentioned in sacred history to have happened when this was written, (Calmet) except in the siege of Samaria. Some of the captives of Israel might be now at Babylon, as the places to which they had been sent were under the same king; and they confess their common transgressions and chastisements. All distinction of the kingdoms was now at an end. Some might also have been reduced to this extremity, when Joakim or Jechonias were besieged and taken. (Haydock) --- We should not know that a similar distress prevailed under Sedecias, if it had not been specified [in] Lamentations ii. 20., and iv. 10. This prayer greatly resembles that of Daniel ix. 4.
Verse 4
Kings of Egypt and Babylon, while the Ammonites, &c., derided us.
Verse 5
Under; a proverbial expression, Deuteronomy xxviii. 13.
Verse 9
Watched, to punish. When he spares, he seems to slumber, Jeremias xliv. 27. (Calmet)
Verse 12
Justices. So God’s law is frequently called, (Psalm cxviii.) because its observance makes us just. (Worthington)
Verse 16
House: the temple, or from heaven. (Calmet)
Verse 17
Justice, &c. they that are in hell shall not give justice to God: that is, they shall not acknowledge and glorify his justice, as penitent sinners do upon earth. (Challoner) --- And all in the grave are incapable of making known God’s perfections. An appeal to his glory is thus often made, Isaias xxxviii. 18., Psalm cxiii. 17., and Ecclesiasticus vii. 24.
Verse 18
Of evil is not in Greek. A soul which bears grandeur with pain, like Esther, and humbles itself before God, is most graciously received. (Haydock) --- Fail, by fasting. Such are the dispositions required for prayer, Psalm lxviii. 3.
Verse 19
Fathers. Greek adds, "and kings." --- Prayers. Greek, "mercy." We boast not of our good works. (Haydock) --- Mercy may denote prayer or humiliation. Theodoret gives a better sense: (Calmet) "We trust not in the just works of our fathers, or of ourselves, to receive any pity." (Haydock)
Verse 21
Serve, as Jeremias (xxv. 9., and xxvii. 7., and xxviii. 14.) repeatedly admonished.
Verse 22
CHAPTER II.
Verse 23
Footstep. It shall become a desert, Isaias xxxiii. 8., and Lamentations i. 4.
Verse 24
Place. The soldiers ransacked the tombs in hopes of plunder. Joakim was left unburied. This would be very affliction to the Jews, Jeremias viii. 1., and xxii. 19., and xxxvi. 30. (Calmet)
Verse 25
Banishment. Syriac, "captivity;" (Theodoret) or "by pestilence inflicted by God:" Greek: apostole. (Grotius) (Jeremias xxxii. 36.)
Verse 26
Day. Its vessels were taken away, (chap. i. 8.) and few were left to attend. (Calmet) --- Grotius answers this difficulty. (Houbigant) --- The prophet foresees the event. (Worthington)
Verse 30
Heart, and be seriously converted, (Haydock) as the prophets had foretold, Osee ii. 7., &c.
Verse 33
Neck. Literally, "back," insensible of stripes. (Calmet)
Verse 34
Thereof. Literally, "of them;" eis. But ei is more (Haydock) conformable to the Greek. (Calmet)
Verse 35
Another. Greek, "an everlasting covenant," (Haydock) by Christ, (Maldonat) prefigured by that which Nehemias renewed, 2 Esdras ix. 38. (Calmet) --- The law of Moses was in force till Christ came. His law continues unto the end. (Worthington)