Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 45

Men. Pharao, Jethro, and the whole nation of the Hebrews, whom he governed as a father, being the mildest of men, Numbers xii. 23.[3.?] His life was a continued miracle, and he was honoured more than any prophet, (ibid. vi.[Numbers xii. 7.?], and Acts vii.; Calmet) seeing God’s works more clearly, but not his substance, Exodus xxxiii. (Worthington)

Saints, patriarchs or angels, as he saw God face to face.

Enemies. The Egyptians, Amalecites, and all who rebelled against God.

Cease. Removing the scourges which he had inflicted. His serpent devoured those of the magicians, who were confounded before him.

Kings. Pharao, Og, &c.

Glory, when he had passed by, Exodus xxxiii. 22.

Meekness, giving him these necessary qualifications to rule a rebellious people, ver. 1.

Heard. Greek, “made him hear his voice.”

Face, familiarly.

Life, by observing which, the Hebrews might live. Thus the trees of life and of knowledge were a sort of remedy against death and ignorance, Genesis ii. 9. (Calmet)

His. Greek, “holy, like to himself his brother of the,” &c. (Haydock) (Psalm cv. 16.)

He was the interpreter of Moses, and honoured with the high priesthood. Aaron and his posterity were bound to be faithful to the law, ver. 19. (Calmet)

Their priesthood was to last till Christ appeared, a priest forever of the order of Melchisedech.

Robe. Literally, “stole,” (Haydock) which was a long robe, used in the East by both sexes.

Crowned. Greek, “confirmed” him in his dignity. (Calmet)

To the. Greek, “enclosing his legs, (Haydock; breeches, Calmet) and the robe hanging down to the feet, (podere) and the garment over the shoulders,” (Haydock, ephod) which met at the breast, where the rational was fixed. See Exodus xxviii. (Calmet)

Many. Greek, “spheres, (Haydock; or pomegranates, Exodus xxviii. 23.; Calmet) with many little bells,” (Haydock) to admonish the people of his coming.

Man. Beseleel, who made the greatest part. (Calmet)

Greek, “of an embroiderer, with the rational of judgment, and the signs (manifestation. Calmet) of truth. (Haydock)

Thus the Septuagint commonly describe the Urim and Thummim, Exodus xxviii. 6. (Calmet)

Tribes. Greek, “sons.” (Haydock)

Their names were engraven on 12 stones.

Holiness, or “holy to the Lord,” Exodus xxviii. (Calmet)

Work. Greek, “works very rich.” (Haydock)

This regards all his attire. The high priest only used it in the temple, on grand festivals. (Calmet)

His. Complutensian Greek, “their.” (Haydock)

Some of the ordinary priests offered the daily holocausts.

Filled. Consecrated, Leviticus viii. 26.

Testament. It prefigured that of Christ, which lasts for ever, Hebrews vii. (Calmet)

Execute. Greek, “serve him, both by executing the priestly office, and by blessing the people,” &c. (Haydock)

This was one of the high priest’s functions, Numbers vi. 23. The rest might offer sacrifice and incense, except on the day of expiation, (Leviticus xvi.) and on solemn festivals, though the Scripture is silent on the latter head.

Law. The most important causes were to be tried before the high priest, who, with his brethren, were the interpreters of the law, Matthew ii. 6.

Fire. Thus consuming 250 men, Numbers xvi. 30.

Eat. The skin of holocausts was alone given to the priests.

People. Having only 2,000 cubits round their cities, Numbers xxxv. The priests were thus interested to keep the people to their duty, as their own subsistence depended on the devotion and gifts of the latter. (Calmet)

They had no distinct territory, like the rest of the tribes. (Worthington)

Imitating. Greek, “by shewing a zeal in the fear of the Lord,” Numbers xxv. 11.

That he. Or so he made a covenant with Aaron, that he, &c. (Calmet)

Greek, “and (Grabe puts according to) the covenant made to David....that the king’s son successively should alone inherit, the inheritance of Aaron was for his posterity. May he impart wisdom to your heart,” &c.

He made. Greek, “glory during their age.” (Haydock)

The sacred writer pours forth this prayer for God’s ministers, (Calmet) that their good things and glory may never end, as long as the Jewish dispensation should last. He is equally solicitous for the priesthood as for the sceptre of David. In both the families of Aaron and of David children succeeded to their father’s dignity, and God had made a covenant for that purpose. (Haydock)

David assisted the priests, and greatly advanced God’s service, 1 Paralipomenon xxiii. (Worthington)

His eulogy is given [in] chap. xlvii.; and he is here only mentioned (Calmet) as a comparison. (Haydock)