Sirach 38 Commentary

“And he hath given men skill, that he might be honoured in his marvellous works.”

The. Greek, “that his or its virtue might be known by man.”

“With such doth he heal men, and taketh away their pains.”

These plants. — And of. Greek, “Of these the maker of ointments shall compose a mixture and his works are not yet finished, when peace (health) from him appears on the face of the earth.” (Haydock) — Diseases flee before him; so powerful are his medicines, that the very smell effects a cure.

“My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.”

Thee. We must neither trust too much in physicians, (2 Paralipomenon xvi. 12.) nor despise them, as this would be tempting God.

“Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.”

Sin. All diseases are in consequence of original sin, and many are inflicted for actual transgressions, John ix. 2., and 1 Corinthians xi. 30., and Numbers xii. 10. (Calmet)

“Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make a fat offering, as not being.”

Then. Greek, “as being no longer. Yet give,” &c. (Haydock) — Be converted and offer sacrifice, as if there were no hopes of life. Still do not despair. (Calmet)

“There is a time when in their hands there is good success.”

Thou. Greek, “a sweet smell (success) shall be in their hands.” (Haydock)

“He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician.”

Physician. This state is very troublesome, and a punishment of sin, ver. 10.

“My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; and then cover his body according to the custom, and neglect not his burial.”

Burial. Thus we must shew our respect for the deceased. The Jews also prayed for them, 2 Machabees xii. 42. (Calmet) — “The care….and pomp of funerals are rather the consolations of survivors than of service to the dead.” (St. Augustine, cura 2.)

“Weep bitterly, and make great moan, and use lamentation, as he is worthy, and that a day or two, lest thou be evil spoken of: and then comfort thyself for thy heaviness.”

For. Greek, “and shed burning tears of mourning, (18.) and lament for,” &c. (Haydock) — Sorrow would be unsuitable for the saints, and useless for the damned, who being rebellious to God do not deserve our lamentations. Yet nature dictates, and people expect we should allow something to the first emotions of sorrow, (Calmet) for a day or two; and we may receive the consolatory visits of our friends, during the seven days of mourning, chap. xxii. 13., and John xi. 19. (St. Paulin. ad Pam.) — To avoid the evil reports of men, we must shew ourselves to be really sorry; yet we must not suffer grief to hurt our health. (Worthington)

“In affliction also sorrow remaineth: and the life of the poor is the curse of the heart.”

And the, &c., is not in Greek. Excessive sorrow brings on sickness, and renders us unfit for any thing.

“Take no heaviness to heart: drive it away, and member the last end.”

Aside, in solitude. — Substance; or what the poor has to live on, will seem sweet or bitter according as he is affected with joy or grief.

“Forget it not, for there is no turning again: thou shalt not do him good, but hurt thyself.”

End. This is the chief utility derived from attending funerals.

“When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; and be comforted for him, when his Spirit is departed from him.”

Thee. A man on his death-bed, or already dead, is introduced speaking. (Calmet)

“The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall become wise.”

Him. Greek, “thyself.” He is at rest, we hope; (Haydock) be thou so too. (Calmet)

“How can he get wisdom that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose talk is of bullocks?”

A scribe; that is, a doctor of the law, or a learned man. (Challoner) — Sorrow (Haydock) and too much employment, are injurious to learning. (Calmet) — Sapientię otia negotia sunt. (St. Bernard, ser. 85. Cant.) — When pastors have leisure, they would do well to write, in imitation of St. Paul, &c. (Worthington)

“The smith also sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron work, the vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace: the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he setteth his mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly:”

Work: engraving on gold, or silver, or on precious stones.

“So doth the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is alway carefully set at his work, and maketh all his work by number;”

Sitting. Such was the ancient custom of smiths, (Calmet) who carried all their implements with them, and laboured with much pain. (Chardin.)

“But they will maintain the state of the world, and all their desire is in the work of their craft.”

Glazing. The earthen vessel would otherwise spoil all but oil and water. (Calmet)

Dwell. Greek, “travel,” to get a livelihood, (Grotius) or to acquire wisdom, (chap. xxxiv. 9., and xxxix. 5.) and walk about like the ancient philosophers. They shall not be chosen magistrates. (Calmet)

Spoken. They have not leisure to attend the lectures of sages; (Haydock) nor are they ever quoted by them.

World, giving children to the commonwealth, (Menochius) and employing themselves in useful arts. The Jews would not allow magicians, players, &c., to reside in their country. — Craft. They pray that they may succeed in their employment, while some also strive to comply with their religious duties. (Calmet) — Applying. Greek refers this to the following chapter, “As for him who applies his soul and meditates on the law of the Most High, he will,” &c. (Haydock)