13:1 Et erat vir habitans in Babylone, et nomen ejus Joakim :
Now there was a man that dwelt in Babylon, and his name was Joakim:
A.M. 3398, A.C. 606.
13:2 et accepit uxorem nomine Susannam, filiam Helciae, pulchram nimis, et timentem Deum :
And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helcias, a very beautiful woman, and one that feared God.
13:3 parentes enim illius, cum essent justi, erudierunt filiam suam secundum legem Moysi.
For her parents being just, had instructed their daughter according to the law of Moses.
13:4 Erat autem Joakim dives valde, et erat ei pomarium vicinum domui suae : et ad ipsum confluebant Judaei, eo quod esset honorabilior omnium.
Now Joakim was very rich, and had an orchard near his house: and the Jews resorted to him, because he was the most honourable of them all.
13:5 Et constituti sunt de populo duo senes judices in illo anno, de quibus locutus est Dominus : Quia egressa est iniquitas de Babylone a senioribus judicibus, qui videbantur regere populum.
*H And there were two of the ancients of the people appointed judges that year, of whom the Lord said: That iniquity came out from Babylon, from the ancient judges, that seemed to govern the people.
Ver. 5. Judges. The Jews say they were Achab and Sedecias, (Orig.) as this text seems to allude to Jer. xxix. 21. or xxxiii. 14. But how were they burnt? since the Jews appear to have stoned them, unless they were delivered up to the king's officers. v. 61. C. — The captives under Joakim, were better treated than those who were taken nineteen years afterwards, when all fell into a heavier bondage. W. — The might enjoy possessions, (H.) and have judges of their nation. C. — Cappel. urges this difficulty, and many others, to shew that this account is fabulous. But as the Jews were allowed to follow their religion, the Chaldees would strive to keep them in good order. It is not said that Joakim was one of the captives. He might have settled long before at Babylon, where Helcias probably brought up his daughter in the fear of God. v. 3. The judges might also have had authority before over the Israelites, in Assyria, who were now all under the same government. v. 57. Houbigant. Pref.
13:6 Isti frequentabant domum Joakim, et veniebant ad eos omnes qui habebant judicia.
These men frequented the house of Joakim, and all that hand any matters of judgment came to them.
13:7 Cum autem populus revertisset per meridiem, ingrediebatur Susanna, et deambulabat in pomario viri sui.
*H And when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went in, and walked in her husband's orchard.
Ver. 7. Noon, at which time the Jews dined, (v. 13. Jos. vita) and the streets were as little frequented as they are at night among us. Hence the judges thought this a fit opportunity. C.
13:8 Et videbant eam senes quotidie ingredientem et deambulantem, et exarserunt in concupiscentiam ejus :
And the old men saw her going in every day, and walking: and they were inflamed with lust towards her:
13:9 et everterunt sensum suum, et declinaverunt oculos suos ut non viderent caelum, neque recordarentur judiciorum justorum.
*H And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.
Ver. 9. Mind. They were distracted by love, (H.) and rendered foolish.
13:10 Erant ergo ambo vulnerati amore ejus, nec indicaverunt sibi vicissim dolorem suum :
So they were both wounded with the love of her, yet they did not make known their grief one to the other.
13:11 erubescebant enim indicare sibi concupiscentiam suam, volentes concumbere cum ea.
For they were ashamed to declare to one another their lust, being desirous to have to do with her:
13:12 Et observabant quotidie sollicitius videre eam. Dixitque alter ad alterum :
And they watched carefully every day to see her. And one said to the other:
13:13 Eamus domum, quia hora prandii est. Et egressi, recesserunt a se.
Let us now go home, for it is dinner time. So going out, they departed one from another.
13:14 Cumque revertissent, venerunt in unum : et sciscitantes ab invicem causam, confessi sunt concupiscentiam suam : et tunc in communi statuerunt tempus quando eam possent invenire solam.
And turning back again, they came both to the same place: and asking one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: and then they agreed together upon a time, when they might find her alone.
13:15 Factum est autem, cum observarent diem aptum, ingressa est aliquando sicut heri et nudiustertius, cum duabus solis puellis, voluitque lavari in pomario : aestus quippe erat :
And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in on a time, as yesterday and the day before, with two maids only, and was desirous to wash herself in the orchard: for it was hot weather.
13:16 et non erat ibi quisquam, praeter duos senes absconditos, et contemplantes eam.
And there was nobody there, but the two old men that had hid themselves, and were beholding her.
13:17 Dixit ergo puellis : Afferte mihi oleum, et smigmata, et ostia pomarii claudite, ut laver.
So she said to the maids: Bring me oil, and washing balls, and shut the doors of the orchard, that I may wash me.
13:18 Et fecerunt sicut praeceperat : clauseruntque ostia pomarii, et egressae sunt per posticum ut afferrent quae jusserat ; nesciebantque senes intus esse absconditos.
*H And they did as she bade them: and they shut the doors of the orchard, and went out by a back door to fetch what she had commanded them, and they knew not that the elders were hid within.
Ver. 18. Back door, leading from the house. Strangers came by the other gates. C. — Susanna had not perhaps at first intended to bathe. Cappel. accuses her of imprudence, without reason. He cannot believe that the old judges would be so sottish as they appear to have been. Houbig.
13:19 Cum autem egressae essent puellae, surrexerunt duo senes, et accurrerunt ad eam, et dixerunt :
Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders arose, and ran to her, and said:
13:20 Ecce ostia pomarii clausa sunt, et nemo nos videt, et nos in concupiscentia tui sumus : quam ob rem assentire nobis, et commiscere nobiscum.
Behold the doors of the orchard are shut, and nobody seeth us, and we are in love with thee: wherefore consent to us, and lie with us.
13:21 Quod si nolueris, dicemus contra te testimonium, quod fuerit tecum juvenis, et ob hanc causam emiseris puellas a te.
But if thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee, and therefore thou didst send away thy maids form thee.
13:22 Ingemuit Susanna, et ait : Angustiae sunt mihi undique : si enim hoc egero, mors mihi est : si autem non egero, non effugiam manus vestras.
*H Susanna sighed, and said: I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death to me: and if I do it not, I shall not escape your hands.
Ver. 22. Death of the soul, (S. Jer.) and also of the body, if the adultery were detected. How much does Susanna surpass the famed Lucretia, who slew herself to shew that she had not consented to her violation! Si adultera cur laudata? Si pudica cur occisa? S. Aug. de Civ. Dei. i. 19. S. Amb. de Sp. iii. 3. C.
13:23 Sed melius est mihi absque opere incidere in manus vestras, quam peccare in conspectu Domini.
But it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.
13:24 Et exclamavit voce magna Susanna : exclamaverunt autem et senes adversus eam.
*H With that Susanna cried out with a loud voice: and the elders also cried out against her.
Ver. 24. Out. So the law ordained, when a woman was assaulted. H.
13:25 Et cucurrit unus ad ostia pomarii, et aperuit.
And one of them ran to the door of the orchard, and opened it.
13:26 Cum ergo audissent clamorem famuli domus in pomario, irruerunt per posticum ut viderent quidnam esset.
So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door, to see what was the matter.
13:27 Postquam autem senes locuti sunt, erubuerunt servi vehementer, quia numquam dictus fuerat sermo hujuscemodi de Susanna. Et facta est dies crastina.
But after the old men had spoken, the servants were greatly ashamed: for never had there been any such word said of Susanna. And on the next day,
13:28 Cumque venisset populus ad Joakim virum ejus, venerunt et duo presbyteri, pleni iniqua cogitatione adversus Susannam ut interficerent eam.
When the people were come to Joakim, her husband, the two elders also came full of wicked device against Susanna, to put her to death.
13:29 Et dixerunt coram populo : Mittite ad Susannam filiam Helciae uxorem Joakim. Et statim miserunt.
*H And they said before the people: Send to Susanna, daughter of Helcias, the wife of Joakim. And presently they sent.
Ver. 29. People, for greater shew of justice. W. — We here behold the forms.
13:30 Et venit cum parentibus, et filiis, et universis cognatis suis.
And she came with her parents, and children and all her kindred.
13:31 Porro Susanna erat delicata nimis, et pulchra specie.
Now Susanna was exceeding delicate, and beautiful to behold.
13:32 At iniqui illi jusserunt ut discooperiretur (erat enim cooperta), ut vel sic satiarentur decore ejus.
*H But those wicked men commanded that her face should be uncovered, (for she was covered) that so at least they might be satisfied with her beauty.
Ver. 32. Uncovered, pretending that respect for the company required it, or perhaps that they might detect her guilt by her blushes. C. — But their real motive is here disclosed. H.
13:33 Flebant igitur sui, et omnes qui noverant eam.
Therefore her friends, and all her acquaintance wept.
13:34 Consurgentes autem duo presbyteri in medio populi, posuerunt manus suas super caput ejus.
*H But the two elders rising up in the midst of the people, laid their hands upon her head.
Ver. 34. Head, saying, "Thy malice brings on this chastisement, and not we." Lyran. — They appear to discharge their conscience, (Lev. i. 4. and xxiv. 14.) no as judges but as accusers. The people pass sentence. v. 41. Adulteresses were stoned. Lev. xx. 10. C.
13:35 Quae flens suspexit ad caelum : erat enim cor ejus fiduciam habens in Domino.
And she weeping, looked up to heaven, for her heart had confidence in the Lord.
13:36 Et dixerunt presbyteri : Cum deambularemus in pomario soli, ingressa est haec cum duabus puellis : et clausit ostia pomarii, et dimisit a se puellas.
And the elders said: As we walked in the orchard alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the doors of the orchard, ans sent away the maids from her.
13:37 Venitque ad eam adolescens, qui erat absconditus, et concubuit cum ea.
Then a young man that was there hid came to her, and lay with her.
13:38 Porro nos cum essemus in angulo pomarii, videntes iniquitatem, cucurrimus ad eos, et vidimus eos pariter commisceri.
But we that were in a corner of the orchard, seeing this wickedness, ran up to them, and we saw them lie together.
13:39 Et illum quidem non quivimus comprehendere, quia fortior nobis erat, et apertis ostiis exilivit :
And him indeed we could not take, because he was stronger than us, and opening the doors, he leaped out:
13:40 hanc autem cum apprehendissemus, interrogavimus, quisnam esset adolescens, et noluit indicare nobis : hujus rei testes sumus.
But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: of this thing we are witnesses.
13:41 Credidit eis multitudo quasi senibus et judicibus populi, et condemnaverunt eam ad mortem.
*H The multitude believed them, as being the elders, and the judges of the people, and they condemned her to death.
Ver. 41. Death. The multitude approved of this sentence, which the judges pronounced, pretending to act agreeably to the law. Deut. xxii. W.
13:42 Exclamavit autem voce magna Susanna, et dixit : Deus aeterne, qui absconditorum es cognitor, qui nosti omnia antequam fiant,
Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said: O eternal God, who knowest hidden things, who knowest all things before they come to pass,
13:43 tu scis quoniam falsum testimonium tulerunt contra me : et ecce morior, cum nihil horum fecerim, quae isti malitiose composuerunt adversum me.
Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me: and behold I must die, whereas I have done none of these things, which these men have maliciously forged against me.
13:44 Exaudivit autem Dominus vocem ejus.
And the Lord heard her voice.
13:45 Cumque duceretur ad mortem, suscitavit Dominus spiritum sanctum pueri junioris, cujus nomen Daniel :
*H And when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy, whose name was Daniel:
Ver. 45. Boy. He was about twelve years old. S. Ign. ad Magn. Sulpit. ii. Theod. — He might walk out, though he lodged at court. Houbig. — God enabled him to declare that Susanna was innocent. The people had consented to her death, but he stands up in her defence. W.
13:46 et exclamavit voce magna : Mundus ego sum a sanguine hujus.
*H And he cried out with a loud voice: I am clear from the blood of this woman.
Ver. 46. Clear. This form is often used. Acts xviii. 6. Mat. xxvii. 24.
13:47 Et conversus omnis populus ad eum, dixit : Quis est iste sermo, quem tu locutus es ?
Then all the people turning themselves towards him, said: What meaneth this word that thou hast spoken?
13:48 Qui cum staret in medio eorum, ait : Sic fatui filii Israel, non judicantes, neque quod verum est cognoscentes, condemnastis filiam Israel ?
*H But he standing in the midst of them, said: Are ye so foolish, ye children of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth, you have condemned a daughter of Israel?
Ver. 48. Truth. They had taken no precautions to ascertain it; which they ought to have done the more, as Susanna had always been highly esteemed. C. — As the witnesses were positive, she must die, except their falsehood could be manifested, which none suspected. Houbig.
13:49 revertimini ad judicium, quia falsum testimonium locuti sunt adversus eam.
Return to judgment, for they have borne false witness against her.
13:50 Reversus est ergo populus cum festinatione, et dixerunt ei senes : Veni, et sede in medio nostrum, et indica nobis : quia tibi Deus dedit honorem senectutis.
*H So all the people turned again in haste, and the old men said to him: Come, and sit thou down among us, and shew it us: seeing God hath given thee the honour of old age.
Ver. 50. Old men. They speak sarcastically; or rather other senators, who had not been in the plot, address Daniel.
13:51 Et dixit ad eos Daniel : Separate illos ab invicem procul, et dijudicabo eos.
And Daniel said to the people: Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them.
13:52 Cum ergo divisi essent alter ab altero, vocavit unum de eis, et dixit ad eum : Inveterate dierum malorum, nunc venerunt peccata tua, quae operabaris prius :
So when they were put asunder one from the other, he called one of them, and said to him: O thou that art grown old in evil days, now are thy sins come out, which thou hast committed before:
13:53 judicans judicia injusta, innocentes opprimens, et dimittens noxios, dicente Domino : Innocentem et justum non interficies.
In judging unjust judgments, oppressing the innocent, and letting the guilty to go free, whereas the Lord saith: The innocent and the just thou shalt not kill.
* Footnote
* Exodus
23 : 7
Thou shalt fly lying. The innocent and just person thou shalt not put to death: because I abhor the wicked.
13:54 Nunc ergo, si vidisti eam, dic sub qua arbore videris eos colloquentes sibi. Qui ait : Sub schino.
Now then if thou sawest her, tell me under what tree thou sawest them conversing together: He said: Under a mastic tree.
13:55 Dixit autem Daniel : Recte mentitus es in caput tuum : ecce enim angelus Dei, accepta sententia ab eo, scindet te medium.
*H And Daniel said: Well hast thou lied against thy own head: for behold the angel of God having received the sentence of him, shall cut thee in two.
Ver. 55. Two. This punishment was not unusual: yet it is probable that the two old men were stoned to death by the law of retaliation. v. 61. Ex. xix. 4. There is an allusion, in Greek, between schinon and schisei, and also between Prinos and prisei; (v. 58, 59) and hence it is concluded that this work was originally in that language. But there might be a similar allusion in Heb. or Chal. or the translator might think it lawful to put one tree for another. C. — We find a tree called shinar, in Persia. Tavern. iv. 6. It would be easy to produce similar allusions in the Latin ilex; thus ilicò peribis, &c. M.
13:56 Et, amoto eo, jussit venire alium, et dixit ei : Semen Chanaan, et non Juda, species decepit te, et concupiscentia subvertit cor tuum :
And having put him aside, he commanded that the other should come, and he said to him: O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived tee, and lust hath perverted thy heart:
13:57 sic faciebatis filiabus Israel, et illae timentes loquebantur vobis : sed filia Juda non sustinuit iniquitatem vestram.
*H Thus did you do to the daughters of Israel, and they for fear conversed with you: but a daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.
Ver. 57. Israel, when you were judges in Assyria. v. 5. H. — Conversed. No one could be alone with women, in the East, without suspicion.
13:58 Nunc ergo, dic mihi sub qua arbore comprehenderis eos loquentes sibi. Qui ait : Sub prino.
Now, therefore, tell me, under what tree didst thou take them conversing together. And he answered: Under a holm tree.
13:59 Dixit autem ei Daniel : Recte mentitus es et tu in caput tuum : manet enim angelus Domini, gladium habens, ut secet te medium, et interficiat vos.
And Daniel said to him: Well hast thou also lied against thy own head: for the angel of the Lord waiteth with a sword to cut thee in two, and to destroy you.
13:60 Exclamavit itaque omnis coetus voce magna, et benedixerunt Deum, qui salvat sperantes in se.
With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and they blessed God, who saveth them that trust in him.
13:61 Et consurrexerunt adversus duos presbyteros (convicerat enim eos Daniel ex ore suo falsum dixisse testimonium), feceruntque eis sicut male egerant adversus proximum,
*H And they rose up against the two elders, (for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth) and they did to them as they had maliciously dealt against their neighbour,
Ver. 61. Neighbour; stoning or strangling them, unless they gave them up to Nabuchodonosor's officers. v. 5. C.
13:62 ut facerent secundum legem Moysi. Et interfecerunt eos, et salvatus est sanguis innoxius in die illa.
To fulfil the law of Moses: and they put them to death, and innocent blood was saved in that day.
* Footnote
* Deuteronomy
19 : 18
And when after most diligent inquisition, they shall find that the false witness hath told a lie against his brother:
* Footnote
* Deuteronomy
19 : 19
They shall render to him as he meant to do to his brother, and thou shalt take away the evil out of the midst of thee:
13:63 Helcias autem et uxor ejus laudaverunt Deum pro filia sua Susanna cum Joakim marito ejus, et cognatis omnibus, quia non esset inventa in ea res turpis.
But Helcias, and his wife, praised God, for their daughter, Susanna, with Joakim, her husband, and all her kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.
13:64 Daniel autem factus est magnus in conspectu populi a die illa, et deinceps.
*H And Daniel became great in the sight of the people from that day, and thence forward.
Ver. 64. Forward. By this first prophetical act Daniel acquired fame, (W.) which he retained till the death of Astyages. Maldon.. M.
13:65 Et rex Astyages appositus est ad patres suos, et suscepit Cyrus Perses regnum ejus.
*H And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers; and Cyrus, the Persian, received his kingdom.
Ver. 65. Astyages, or Darius. C. v. 31. This belongs to the following chap. (C.) or to the 9th. W. — Cyrus. Little is known about his birth or death. Yet all agree that he conquered the Chaldeans. C.