*H I myself am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.
Ver. 1. Myself. Solomon acquired wisdom, and all others may do it.
* Footnote * Job 10 : 10
Hast thou not milked me as milk, and curdled me like cheese?*H For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
Ver. 6. Out. Augustus asked a little before his death: "Have we acted our part (personæ) well enough?" Suet. — Life is like a stage; before and after which, all are equal.
* Footnote * Job 1 : 21
And said: Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.* Footnote * 1_Timothy 6 : 7
For we brought nothing into this world: and certainly we can carry nothing out.*H Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
Ver. 7. Wherefore, as I had no advantage over others naturally, I asked for the wisdom requisite to fill so important an office. 3 K. ix. 10. C. — Solomon, whose sayings are here recorded, prayed for wisdom. W.
*H And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
Ver. 8. Preferred. I did not ask for extensive dominions, &c. C. — In Prov. viii. 10. &c. as well as here, some things refer to the uncreated, and others to created wisdom. M.
* Footnote * Job 28 : 15
The finest gold shall not purchase it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.* Footnote * Proverbs 8 : 11
For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.* Footnote * 3_Kings 3 : 13
Yea, and the things also which thou didst not ask, I have given thee; to wit, riches and glory: so that no one hath been like thee among the kings in all days heretofore.* Footnote * Matthew 6 : 33
Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.*H Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
Ver. 13. Not. Ecclus. xx. 32. Matt. xxv. 25. Such disinterestedness deserves to be imitated by all the learned. C. vi. 25.
*H For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.
Ver. 14. God. Coming near to him. C. vi. 20. and 1 Cor. vi. 16. The wise do not seek for glory; but it follow them.
*H And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:
Ver. 15. Would. With sincerity, and in a sententious and captivating manner. 3 K. ix. 24. C. — Thoughts. Præsumere has this meaning. H. — Presumption is far removed from true wisdom. Solomon manifested his greatness of soul by his buildings, and wise regulations.
*H The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
Ver. 18. Times. Or "things." S. Amb. Abr. ii. 7. — Times past, present, and future, (Orig. hom. xxi.) or the three seasons; autumn, the beginning of the civil year, summer the end, and spring or winter, the middle. Grot. — Their. The "seasons," as the Greek implies, (C.) and the vicissitudes of heat and cold. M.
*H For in her is the spirit of understanding; holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,
Ver. 22. Holy. These are the proper epithets of the spirit of wisdom, (W.) or of the Holy Ghost. Corn. a Lap. Lorin. — They may also be applicable to the wisdom which resides in man: one, in essence, manifold, in its operations, subtle, knowing all things; (c. i. 7.) eloquent, to persuade; (C.) Greek, "easily moved, or moving," ευκινητον, (H.) active. Greek, "open (C.) or entire."
*H For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity.
Ver. 24. For wisdom, which is the same with the Spirit, and the Son of God. v. 25.
*H For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emmanation of the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.
Ver. 25. Glory. As S. Paul testifies of Jesus Christ. Heb. i. 3. Euseb. Demon. Evang. iv. 5. — It may also be understood of the wisdom given to the prophets and saints. v. 27. Plato thought this to be a vapour, or fire proceeding from God. In Protag. Philo. de Som. — Some apply the passage to the blessed Virgin. Corn. a Lap. v. 26. C. See Prov. i. 2. W.
*H For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
Ver. 26. Goodness. This is particularly noticed, as he speaks of the favours received. It was also an effect of infinite goodness, that the Deity should communicate itself substantially, in the generation of the Son, and the procession of the Holy Ghost. M.
* Footnote * Hebrews 1 : 3
Who being the brightness of his glory and the figure of his substance and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high:*H And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets.
Ver. 27. Prophets. No age or nation has been left destitute by God. Among the Gentiles, Job was a saint. H. — The philosophers also knew God, (Rom. i. 21.) and taught many important truths, (C.) though they erred in other respects, and dishonoured their profession. True religion has always subsisted, and saints, (H.) yea even pagan philosophers, have borne witness to the truth. Clem. Alex. &c. C.
*H For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.
Ver. 30. Evil. Or disgrace. Grot. — The brightest days are succeeded by night. The divine wisdom never fails, though that of man is subject to change, as Solomon has taught us by his own woful example. C.