Naaman the general captaine of Syria is clensed of deprosie, by washing him self as Eliseus appointeth him seuen times in •oraan. 15. professeth his bel of in one God promising to serue him. 20. Giezi taketh giftes of Naaman, 25. and is stricken with leprosie.
1Naaman, general of the army, of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable: for by him the Lord gave deliverance to Syria: and he was a valiant man, and rich, but a leper.Naaman capitano delle milizie del re di Siria era uomo in grande stima, ed onore presso il suo padrone: perocché per mezzo di lui il Signore avea salvata la Siria: ed egli era uom valoroso, e ricco, ma lebbroso.NAAMAN the General of the warfare of the king of Syria, was a great man with his lord, and honorable: for by him our Lord gaue health to Syria: and he was a valiant man and rich, but a leper.Naaman princeps militiæ regis Syriæ erat vir magnus apud dominum suum, et honoratus: per illum enim dedit Dominus salutem Syriæ: erat autem vir fortis et dives, sed leprosus. 2Now there had gone out robbers from Syria, and had led away captive out of the land of Israel, a little maid, and she waited upon Naaman’s wife.Or dalla Siria erano usciti dei ladroncelli, i quali avean condotta prigioniera dalla terra d'Israele una piccola fanciulla, la quale era al servizio della moglie di Naaman:Moreouer out of Syria there were come forth robbers, and had led away captiue out of the Land of Israel a litle girle, which wayted vpon the wife of Naaman.Porro de Syria egressi fuerant latrunculi, et captivam duxerant de terra Israël puellam parvulam, quæ erat in obsequio uxoris Naaman: 3And she said to her mistress: I wish my master had been with the prophet that is in Samaria: he would certainly have healed him of the leprosy which he hath.Or questa disse alla sua padrona: Volesse Dio, che il mio signore fosse andato a trovar il profeta, che è in Samaria: certamente questi lo avrebbe guarito dalla sua lebbra.Who said to her maistresse: I would my lord had bene with the prophete, that is in Samaria: surely he would haue cured him from the leprosie, which he hathquæ ait ad dominam suam: Utinam fuisset dominus meus ad prophetam qui est in Samaria, profecto curasset eum a lepra quam habet. 4Then Naaman went in to his lord, and told him, saying: Thus and thus said the girl from the land of Israel.Naaman pertanto andò a trovare il suo signore, e gli diede tal nuova, e disse: In questa, e questa maniera ha parlato una figlia nata in Israele.Naaman therfore went into his lord, and told him saying: Thus and thus hath the wench of the Land of Israel spoken.Ingressus est itaque Naaman ad dominum suum, et nuntiavit ei, dicens: Sic et sic locuta est puella de terra Israël. 5And the king of Syria said to him: Go; and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment;E il re di Siria gli disse: Va, che io scriverò al re d'Israele. E quegli si parti, e portò seco dieci talenti d'argento, e seimila pezze d'oro, e dieci mute di abiti,And the king of Syria sayd to him: Goe, & I wil send letters to the king of Israel Who when he was sette forward, and had taken with him ten talentes of siluer, and six thousand peces of gold, and ten change of rayment,Dixitque ei rex Syriæ: Vade, et mittam litteras ad regem Israël. Qui cum profectus esset, et tulisset secum decem talenta argenti, et sex millia aureos, et decem mutatoria vestimentorum,
6And brought the letter to the king of Israel, in these words: When thou shalt receive this letter, know that I have sent to thee Naaman, my servant, that thou mayst heal him of his leprosy.E portò lettera al re d'Israele di questo tenore: Quando riceverai questa lettera, sappi, che ho mandato a te Naaman mio servo, affinchè tu il guarisca dalla sua lebbra.he brought the letters to the king of Israel, in these wordes: when thou shalt receiue this letter, know that I haue sent to thee Naaman my seruant, that thou mayest cure him of his leprosie.detulit litteras ad regem Israël in hæc verba: Cum acceperis epistolam hanc, scito quod miserim ad te Naaman servum meum, ut cures eum a lepra sua. 7And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he rent his garments, and said: Am I God, to be able to kill and give life, that this man hath sent to me to heal a man of his leprosy? mark, and see how he seeketh occasions against me.Or il re d'Israele, letta questa lettera, stracciò le sue vesti, e disse: Sono forse un Dio, onde io possa uccidere, e risuscitare, mentre colui mi manda un uomo, perchè io lo guarisca dalla sua lebbra? Ponete mente, e vedrete, ch'ei cerca pretesti contro di me.And when the king of Israel had read the letters, he rent his garmentes, and said: Am I God, that I can kil, and geue life, because this man hath sent to me, that I should cure a man of his leprosie? marke, and see that he seeketh occasions against me.Cumque legisset rex Israël litteras, scidit vestimenta sua, et ait: Numquid deus ego sum, ut occidere possim et vivificare, quia iste misit ad me ut curem hominem a lepra sua ? animadvertite, et videte quod occasiones quærat adversum me. 8And when Eliseus, the man of God, had heard this, to wit, that the king of Israel had rent his garments, he sent to him, saying: Why hast thou rent thy garments? let him come to me, and let him know that there is a prophet in Israel.La qual cosa essendo giunta alle orecchie dell'uom di Dio Eliseo, viene a dire, che il re d'Israele avea stracciate le sue vesti, mandò a dirgli: Per qual motivo hai tu stracciate le tue vesti? Venga colui da me, e sappia, che v'ha un profeta in Israele.Which when Eliseus the man of God had heard, to witte, that the king of Israel had rent his garmentes, he sent to him, saying: Why hast thou rent thy garmentes? let him come to me and let him know that there is a prophet in Israel.Quod cum audisset Eliseus vir Dei, scidisse videlicet regem Israël vestimenta sua, misit ad eum, dicens: Quare scidisti vestimenta tua ? veniat ad me, et sciat esse prophetam in Israël. 9So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Eliseus:Andò adunque Naaman co' suoi cavalli, e co' suoi cocchi, e si fermò alla porta della casa di Eliseo:Naaman therfore came with horses and chariotes, and stood at the doore of the house of Eliseus:Venit ergo Naaman cum equis et curribus, et stetit ad ostium domus Elisei:
10And Eliseus sent a messenger to him, saying: Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and thy flesh shall recover health, and thou shalt be clean.Ed Eliseo mandò un uomo a dirgli: Va, e lavati sette volte nel Giordano, e la tua carne tornerà sana, e tu sarai mondato.and Eliseus sent a messenger to him, saying: Goe and be washed seuen times in Iordan, and thy flesh shal receiue health, and thou shalt be cleane.misitque ad eum Eliseus nuntium, dicens: Vade, et lavare septies in Jordane, et recipiet sanitatem caro tua, atque mundaberis. 11Naaman was angry, and went away, saying: I thought he would have come out to me, and standing, would have invoked the name of the Lord his God, and touched with his hand the place of the leprosy, and healed me.Naaman si partiva sdegnato, e diceva: Io avea creduto, che egli sarebbe venuto a me, e stando in piedi avrebbe invocato il nome del Signore Dio suo, e avrebbe toccate colla sua mano le parti, dov' è la lebbra, e mi avrebbe guarito.Naaman being angrie departed, saying: I thought he would come out to me, and standing would inuocate the name of the Lord his God, and touch with his hand the place of the leprosie, and cure me.Iratus Naaman recedebat, dicens: Putabam quod egrederetur ad me, et stans invocaret nomen Domini Dei sui, et tangeret manu sua locum lepræ, et curaret me. 12Are not the Abana, and the Pharphar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, that I may wash in them, and be made clean? So as he turned, and was going away with indignation,Non son eglino di tutte le acque d'Israele migliori i fiumi di Damasco Abana, e Pharphar per lavarmi, ed essere mondato? Mentre egli adunque volgea le spalle, e se n'andava sdegnato.What are not Abana, and Pharphar the riuers of Damascus, better then al the waters of Israel, that I may be washed in them, and be made cleane? Therfore when he had turned him self, and went away with indignation,Numquid non meliores sunt Abana et Pharphar fluvii Damasci, omnibus aquis Israël, ut laver in eis, et munder ? Cum ergo vertisset se, et abiret indignans, 13His servants came to him, and said to him: Father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, surely thou shouldst have done it: how much rather what he now hath said to thee: Wash, and thou shalt be clean?I suoi servi se gli appressarono, e dissero a lui: Padre, quand'anche il profeta avesse ordinata a te una qualche cosa difficile, tu certo dovresti farla: quanto più ora, che egli ti ha detto: Lavati, e sarai mondato?his seruantes came vnto him, & spake to him: Father, & if the prophet had sayd a great thing to thee, certes, thou shouldest haue done it: how much more wheras now he sayd vnto thee: Be washed, and thou shalt be cleane?accesserunt ad eum servi sui, et locuti sunt ei: Pater, etsi rem grandem dixisset tibi propheta, certe facere debueras: quanto magis quia nunc dixit tibi: Lavare, et mundaberis ?
14Then he went down, and washed in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child: and he was made clean.Andò egli, e lavossi sette volte nel Giordano secondo l'ordine dell'uomo di Dio, e la sua carne tornò come la carne di un piccol fanciullo, e restò mondo.He went downe, & washed in Iordan seuen times according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored, as the flesh of a litle childe, & he was made cleane.Descendit, et lavit in Jordane septies juxta sermonem viri Dei: et restituta est caro ejus sicut caro pueri parvuli, et mundatus est. 15And returning to the man of God, with all his train, he came, and stood before him, and said: In truth, I know there is no other God, in all the earth, but only in Israel: I beseech thee, therefore, take a blessing of thy servant.E tornò con tutto il suo accompagnamento all'uom di Dio, e si presentò innanzi a lui, e disse: Veramente io conosco, che non v'ha altro Dio in tutta la terra, fuorché quello d'Israele. Io ti prego adunque dì accettare l'offerta del tuo servo.And returning to the man of God with al his trayne, he came, and stood before him, & sayd: In very deede I know that there is no other God in al the earth, but only in Israel. I besech the therfore to take a benediction of thy seruant.Reversusque ad virum Dei cum universo comitatu suo, venit, et stetit coram eo, et ait: Vere scio quod non sit alius deus in universa terra, nisi tantum in Israël. Obsecro itaque ut accipias benedictionem a servo tuo. 16But he answered: As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And when he pressed him, he still refused.E quegli rispose: Viva il Signore, al cospetto del quale io sto; non la accetterò. E per quanto quegli lo pressasse, non si arrendè in verun modo.But he answered: Our Lord liueth, before whom I stand, I wil not take it. And when he would haue forced him, he did in nowise agree.At ille respondit: Vivit Dominus, ante quem sto, quia non accipiam. Cumque vim faceret, penitus non acquievit. 17And Naaman said: As thou wilt: but I beseech thee, grant to me, thy servant, to take from hence two mules’ burden of earth: for thy servant will not henceforth offer holocaust, or victim, to other gods, but to the Lord.E Naaman disse: Sia come vuoi: ma ti prego, che permetta a me tuo servo di prendere tanta terra, quanta ne portano due muli: perocché il tuo servo non offerirà più olocausti, e vittime a dei stranieri, ma solo al Signore.And Naaman sayd: As thou wilt, but I besech thee: graunt vnto me thy seruant, that I may take of the earth the burden of two mules: for thy seruant wil no more make holocaust, or victimes to strange goddes, but to the Lord.Dixitque Naaman: Ut vis: sed, obsecro, concede mihi servo tuo ut tollam onus duorum burdonum de terra: non enim faciet ultra servus tuus holocaustum aut victimam diis alienis, nisi Domino.
18But there is only this, for which thou shalt entreat the Lord for thy servant; when my master goeth into the temple of Remmon, to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand: if I bow down in the temple of Remmon, when he boweth down in the same place, that the Lord pardon me, thy servant, for this thing.La sola cosa, della quale pregherai tu il Signore pel tuo servo, si è, che quando il mio padrone entrerà nel tempio di Remmon, per fare adorazione, appoggiandosi sulla mia mano, se io adoro nel tempio di Remmon, mentre egli adora nel luogo stesso, il Signore perdoni a me tuo servo tal cosa.But this onlie is it, for which thou shalt besech the Lord for thy seruant, when my maister shal goe into the temple of Remmon, to adore: and he leaning vpon my hand, if I shal adore in the temple of Remmon, he adoring in the same place, that the Lord pardon me thy seruant for this thing.Hoc autem solum est, de quo depreceris Dominum pro servo tuo, quando ingredietur dominus meus templum Remmon ut adoret: et illo innitente super manum meam, si adoravero in templo Remmon, adorante eo in eodem loco, ut ignoscat mihi Dominus servo tuo pro hac re. 19And he said to him: Go in peace. So he departed from him, in the spring time of the earth.E quegli disse a lui: Va in pace. Egli adunque se n'andò nella stagion migliore della terra.Who sayd to him: Goe in peace. He therfore went from him in the spring time of the earth.Qui dixit ei: Vade in pace. Abiit ergo ab eo electo terræ tempore. 20But Giezi, the servant of the man of God, said: My master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving of him that which he brought: as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take something of him.Ma Giezi servitore dell'uomo di Dio, disse: Il mio padrone è stato troppo buono con questo Siro Naaman, non accettando da lui quel, che gli avea presentato: viva il Signore; io gli correrò dietro, e qualche cosa ne caverò.And Giezi the seruant of the man of God sayd: My maister hath spared Naaman this Syrian, that he tooke not of him the things which he brought: Our Lord liueth, I wil runne after him, and wil take some thing of him.Dixitque Giezi puer viri Dei: Pepercit dominus meus Naaman Syro isti, ut non acciperet ab eo quæ attulit: vivit Dominus, quia curram post eum, et accipiam ab eo aliquid. 21And Giezi followed after Naaman: and when he saw him running after him, he leapt down from his chariot to meet him, and said: Is all well?E Giezi andò dietro a Naaman: e questi avendolo veduto correre dietro a se, saltò giù dal cocchio, e andogli incontro, e disse: Va egli tutto bene?And Giezi folowed at the backe of Naaman: whom when he saw running toward him, he lept downe from his chariote to mete him, and said: Are al thinges wel?Et secutus est Giezi post tergum Naaman: quem cum vidisset ille currentem ad se, desiliit de curru in occursum ejus, et ait: Rectene sunt omnia ?
22And he said: Well: my master hath sent me to thee, saying: Just now there are come to me from mount Ephraim, two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.E quegli disse: Benissimo: il mio padrone mi manda perchè io dica a te, come or ora sono arrivati da lui due giovinotti de' figliuoli de' profeti dal monte Ephraim: dà loro un talento d'argento, e due mute di vesti.And he said: Wel. my maister hath sent me to thee, saying: Euen now there are come to me two yong men from mount Ephraim, of the children of the prophetes: geue them a talent of siluer, and two change of rayment.Et ille ait: Recte. Dominus meus misit me ad te dicens: Modo venerunt ad me duo adolescentes de monte Ephraim, ex filiis prophetarum: da eis talentum argenti, et vestes mutatorias duplices. 23And Naaman said: It is better that thou take two talents. And he forced him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, and two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants, and they carried them before him.E Naaman disse: È meglio, che tu prenda due talenti: e sforzollo a prenderli, e legò i due talenti d'argento in due sacchi colle due mute di vesti, e li fece porre sulle spalle di due de' suoi servi, i quali li portarono andando avanti a Giezi.And Naaman sayd: It is better that thou take two talentes. And he forced him, & bound the two talentes of siluer in two bagges, and the duble rayment, & layd it vpon two of his seruantes, who also caried it before him.Dixitque Naaman: Melius est ut accipias duo talenta. Et coëgit eum, ligavitque duo talenta argenti in duobus saccis, et duplicia vestimenta, et imposuit duobus pueris suis, qui et portaverunt coram eo. 24And when he was come, and now it was the evening, he took them from their hands, and laid them up in the house, and sent the men away, and they departed.E giunto (a casa) che era già sera, li prese dalle lor mani, e li ripose nella casa, e licenziò quegli uomini, i quali se n'andarono:And when he was come now in the euening, he tooke it out of their hand, & layd it vp in the house, & dismissed the men, and they departed.Cumque venisset jam vesperi, tulit de manu eorum, et reposuit in domo, dimisitque viros, et abierunt. 25But he went in, and stood before his master. And Eliseus said: Whence comest thou, Giezi? He answered: Thy servant went no whither.Ed egli andò, e si presentò dinanzi al suo padrone. Ed Eliseo disse: Donde vieni, o Giezi? Ed ci rispose: Il tuo servo non è andato in verun luogo.And himself going in, stood before his maister. And Eliseus said: From whence comest thou Giezi? Who answered: Thy seruant hath not gone any whither.Ipse autem ingressus, stetit coram domino suo. Et dixit Eliseus: Unde venis, Giezi ? Qui respondit: Non ivit servus tuus quoquam.
26But he said: Was not my heart present, when the man turned back, from his chariot, to meet thee? So now thou hast received money, and received garments, to buy oliveyards and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants.Ma quegli disse: Non era forse presente il mio spirito, quando quell'uomo scese dal suo cocchio per venirti incontro? Orsù, tu hai ricevuto dell'argento, e delle mute di abiti, per comperare degli uliveti, e delle vigne, e delle pecore, e de' buoi, e degli schiavi, e delle schiave.But he sayd: Was not my hart present, when the man returned out of his chariote to meete thee? Now therfore thou hast receiued siluer, and taken rayment, to bye oliuetes, and vineyardes, and sheepe, and oxen, and seruantes, and handmaides.At ille ait: Nonne cor meum in præsenti erat, quando reversus est homo de curru suo in occursum tui ? nunc igitur accepisti argentum, et accepisti vestes ut emas oliveta, et vineas, et oves, et boves, et servos, et ancillas. 27But the leprosy of Naaman, shall also stick to thee, and to thy seed for ever. And he went out from him a leper, as white as snow.Ma anche la lebbra di Naaman si appiccherà a te, e alla tua stirpe in eterno. E quegli si partì da lui con lebbra simile alla neve.But the leprosie also of Naaman shal cleaue to thee, and to thy seede, for euer. And he went out from him a leper as it were snow.Sed et lepra Naaman adhærebit tibi, et semini tuo usque in sempiternum. Et egressus est ab eo leprosus quasi nix.
5:1
Menochius
King, Benadad, who had defeated Achab, and was slain by Hazael; (chap. 8.; Tirinus) or, according to Salien, Hazael was already king. (Menochius)
Haydock
Josephus passes over this history. It is not known for what reason, (Calmet) unless he was staggered at the petition of Naaman, ver. 18, 19. (Haydock)
Syria. The Rabbins say, by killing Achab, 3 Kings 22:34. But their authority is very small; (Haydock) and he might signalize himself on many other occasions.
5:2
Robbers; soldiers. (Tirinus) (2 Kings 4:2.)
Strabo xi
Such invaded the dominions of Joachin, 4 Kings 24:2. Irruptions of this nature were then very common, (see Judges 11:3., and Job 1:15.) and regarded as noble military exploits. When the Greeks first became acquainted with navigation, they exercised themselves in this manner; (Thucydides l.) and the Germans allowed their citizens to take from other people. Juventutis exercendae ac desidiae minuendae causa. (Caesar, Bel. Gal. vi.) Those who had been plundered, were allowed to redeem their goods. (Strabo xi.)
Calmet
The Arabs still maintain their right to live upon their neighbours. (Calmet)
The Christian religion has introduced more gentle manners.
Haydock
Maid. It seems, however, she was well informed of the miraculous powers and goodness of Eliseus. (Haydock)
5:5
Tirinus
Raiment; the tunic and the cloak, (Calmet) of a finer sort. (Tirinus)
5:7
Calmet
Leprosy. The cure was deemed very difficult; as it generally kept gaining ground, and destroyed the constitution. See Numbers 12:12., and Isaias 53:4. (Calmet)
Haydock
Me. The letter was, in effect, written in a haughty style, (Menochius) and the king might naturally infer that war would be the consequence. (Haydock)
5:8
Menochius
Israel; able to perform much greater wonders, by God's assistance. (Menochius)
5:10
Messenger. Eliseus supports the dignity of God's envoy, and shews the general that his cure was to be attributed, not to the presence of the prophet, but to the will and goodness of God.
5:12
Calmet
Pharphar. Benjamin (p. 53) informs us that the former river serves to water the city, and the second the surrounding gardens. Maundrell could discover no vestiges of these names in Syria, but he describes the Barrady, which supplies Damascus with abundance of water. Stephanus calls it Bardine; and others, the Chrysorroas. The Orontes, which is supposed to be one of these rivers, flows by Antioch into the Mediterranean sea. (Calmet)
5:13
Calmet
Father; a title given to masters, kings, etc. The Romans senators were styled, "conscript fathers;" and Homer calls kings "the fathers and shepherds of the people." See Genesis 45:8. (Calmet)
Haydock
Masters may often derive benefit from the observations of their servants, as Naaman did repeatedly, ver. 2. This may serve to correct their pride. (Haydock)
Menochius
Clean. The patient ought not to prescribe rules to his physician. (Menochius)
Haydock
How justly might these words be addressed to delicate penitents! (Haydock)
5:14
Clean. If bathing seven times in the Jordan had been an infallible remedy, there would soon have been no lepers in the land; and our Saviour plainly intimates that the cure was miraculous, Luke 4:27. The leprosy of Naaman, though inveterate, was cured in an instant. To bathe in a rapid stream, is allowed to be very salutary for removing the diseases of the skin. (Calmet) (Vales. 38.)
5:15
Calmet
A blessing. A present, (Challoner) accompanied with wishes of happiness, on both sides. We have seen that the prophets generally received such presents. But Eliseus acts with more reserve in regard of this stranger, as St. Paul did towards the new converts; though he received some sustenance from those, who would be less in danger of suspecting that he was actuated by selfish views in preaching the gospel, 2 Corinthians 10:7., and 12:14., and Matthew 10:8. (Calmet)
Menochius
They abstained from every appearance of evil, (Haydock) though they might lawfully have accepted such presents. Eliseus wished to convince Naaman that God's grace was not to be purchased, and to leave a lesson of moderation to future teachers. (Menochius)
5:17
Menochius
Mule; (burdonum,) the offspring of a horse and of an ass. (Menochius)
Haydock
Earth, to make brick for an altar, or to inclose within a box of brass, as was done in the altar of holocausts in the desert; or, in fine, to sprinkle on some clean place, where an altar might be erected, in honour of the true God. He does not inquire what ceremonies were used in the land of Israel, (Calmet) as he was not enrolled by circumcision, among the Hebrews, as an observer of their law; but intended to serve God, like Job, and many other righteous Gentiles, who kept themselves clear of idolatry, and observed the ancient patriarchal religion with a clean heart. (Haydock)
Worthington
As God had sanctified the land by the observance of his true religion, Naaman rightly judged that it was fitter for an altar than the earth of his own country. (Worthington)
Benjamin
The Jews had a particular veneration for it, Psalm 101:15. They built a synagogue in Persia, with earth and stones taken from Jerusalem. (Benjamin)
Christians sometimes carry away the same earth. (St. Augustine, de C.[City of God?] 22:8.) (Turon. 1:7.)
5:18
Remmon, denotes "a pomegranate," or something "elevated," and is probably an epithet of the sun, the chief idol of the Syrians, which was also styled Adad, "one," as both are united, Zacharias 12:11.
Pausan. in Corinth
Rempham is probably the same divinity, Acts 7:43. Septuagint here read, Remman. Hesychius explains Ramas, "the highest god." Selden thinks the Elion of the Phoenicians is understood; Grotius, that Saturn, the highest of the planets, is meant. Serarius declares for Venus, to whom pomegranates were sacred; and P. Martyr for Juno, who held one of these apples in her hand. (Pausan. in Corinth)
Remmon occurs no where else.
Calmet
Hand. This was an honour of the chief favourite, 4 Kings 7:2. (Calmet)
Thing. He does not ask leave to commit sin, which would be absurd; though Protestants are not ashamed to accuse the Catholic Church, as if her "indulgences" were pardons for sins to come; though they be in reality no pardon for sin at all, but only a remission of temporal punishment, after the sin has been remitted by penance. Why do they not manfully attack what we really profess to believe?
Haydock
When he. Hebrew, "when I bow," etc. (Haydock)
5:19
Challoner
Go in peace. What the prophet here allowed, was not an outward conformity to an idolatrous worship, but only a service which by his office he owed to his master; who, on all public occasions, leaned on him: so that his bowing down when his master bowed himself down, was not in effect adoring the idols; nor was it so understood by the standers by, (since he publicly professed himself a worshipper of the only true and living God) but it was no more than doing a civil office to the king, his master, whose leaning upon him obliged him to bow at the same time that he bowed. (Challoner)
Calmet
Some assert that the prophet does not even authorize this civil assistance in the temple of idols, but simply tells Naaman to go in peace, and to think no more of his former religion; that he will beseech the Lord not to suffer him to be exposed to the danger. (Junius and Piscator) (Calmet)
Worthington
Some formerly pleaded this example, to excuse their occasional conformity in going to the Protestant churches, as the law required. But the case was very different. Greater perfection is required in the new law. They had not to act in the capacity of Naaman; and their attendance was considered as a profession of a false religion. Their directors loudly condemned the practice. They ought rather to have imitated Eleazar, etc., who refused to eat swine's flesh, 2 Machabees vi., and vii. (Worthington)
Bristow
Though the king intended to adore the idol, Naaman referred his worship to God alone. (Bristow, Mot. 23.; Theodoret, q. 19.; and a Greek interpreter.)
Amama
The Hebrew term signifies, either to adore mentally, or to bend down; which latter is the sense applicable to Naaman. (Cajetan) (Amama)
Button
His "request must certainly refer to the time past, and not to that to come; as if he begged an indulgence in idolatry, or of countenancing his master's idol-worship, by his presence." (Button, Dict.)
Maimonides
The Jews foolishly pretend (Calmet) that "the proselyte of dwelling," like Naaman, might return to the service of idols, in his own country, without its being imputed to him. (Selden, Jur. 2:11.) (Maimonides)
Calmet
The conduct of the Syrian convert, whether past or future, undoubtedly filled him with alarm. If he considered the danger of a merely civil attendance upon the king, in an idolatrous temple, we cannot condemn him of idle scrupulosity; (Haycock) since many have found a difficulty in admitting the lawfulness of such a practice, and have even blamed both Naaman and the prophet. (Greg. de Valentia, etc., ep. Cornelius a Lapide) (Calmet)
Calmet
But if the practice was irreprehensible, as most interpreters assert, the answer of Eliseus might give this assurance to Naaman, and inform him that he need be under no farther apprehension on that account. Go in peace. These words do not expressly solve the difficulty; but the mode in which they were uttered might intimate, either that the general would be no longer under that embarrassment, (as we do not read that he ever attended the king of Syria into the temple afterwards) or that God had forgiven his former offences, and particularly the scandalous idolatry which now gave him so much pain. The original, ver. 18, which is generally translated in the present or future, (Haydock) may be better rendered in the past tense, as the Chaldean has it. "In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant. My master going into the temple of Remmon to worship there, and leaning upon my hand, and I worshipped in the temple of Remmon, when I did worship in the temple of Remmon, that the Lord pardon," etc. St. Jerome and the Septuagint seem to have read more correctly, when he, etc. We may also render it in the present tense, "and I worship," or, "am wont to adore;" not that he meant to prevaricate any longer. The Syriac and Arabic read with an interrogation. "When I shall adore....(Calmet; or bow down, Haydock) will the Lord pardon me?" But this rather increases the difficulty. (Calmet)
Bochart
We may therefore conclude either that Naaman had no decision, or that he had leave to serve his master, (Haydock) in a civil capacity even in the temple; (Menochius; Tirinus; Alex. 2. dis. 7.; Santius, etc.) or, that he obtained pardon for his past transgressions. (Bochart; Calmet, etc.)
Tirinus
Earth, as the expression is rendered [in] Genesis 35:16., thoug here it is literally, "at the chosen season;" electo, not verno. The sense is the same. Cibrath, untranslated by the Septuagint, may denote a certain space, or village; (Haydock) "a furrow," of 240 feet long, and half that breadth; (Calmet) "a mile;" (Chaldean; Pagnin) or a portion of time allowed by the law, about a quarter of an hour, during which a mile, or sabbath-day's journey, might be performed. (Tirinus)
Protestants, "a little way."
5:20
Haydock
Liveth. How unnecessary was this oath! But the Simoniac has no regard for any thing but money. (Haydock)
5:23
Calmet
Him. The weight must have been considerable, (6000 sicles, ver. 26., and Exodus 38:25.; Haydock) otherwise Giezi would have preferred carrying them himself, that his master might not know. (Calmet)
Menochius
He had pretended a reluctance to take more than one talent, not to swerve from his master's injunctions. (Menochius)
5:24
Calmet
Evening. Septuagint, Syriac, etc., seems to have read aupol, instead of the present Hebrew hopel, eminence," (Calmet) Protestants, "tower," (Haydock) at or near Samaria; when Giezi thought proper to take the burden himself to prevent detection. Eliseus would hardly dismiss the Syrians, when the night was so near at hand. (Calmet)
Haydock
It might however be found more eligible to travel in the evening, (Haydock) as it was now the spring or summer season, (Tirinus) or at least warm, ver. 10. (Haydock)
5:26
Haydock
Present is not expressed in Hebrew but must be understood. Protestants, "Went not mine heart with thee." (Haydock)
Menochius
God has revealed the whole transaction to me. (Menochius)
Haydock
Heart in Scripture, often denotes the spirit or soul. (Haydock)
5:27
Calmet
For ever. Not perhaps to those who might be already born, unless they were accomplices in the crime. The leprosy is hereditary. Giezi was punished for simony, in selling the miracle, as well as for lying and disobedience. (Calmet)
Tirinus
He might also have given occasion to Naaman to judge ill of his master; as the false prophets were noted for such avarice, Micheas 3:11. But Eliseus would probably take care to give him better information. (Tirinus)
Salien
He did not require his servant to give up what he had unjustly received, as the general had made over the property to him; and he thought proper to leave it in the hands of Giezi, to indemnify him for past services, and that he might have wherewith to support himself, as he now dismissed him from his company. (Salien, the year before Christ 903.)
Tirinus
Snow, and therefore more incurable. (Tirinus)
Calmet
See Leviticus xiii. (Calmet)
Worthington
"All the covetous and misers, together with their riches, possess the leprosy of Giezi:" thesaurum criminum congregarunt. (St. Ambrose) Giezi prefigured Judas, the false apostle of Christ, and all those who buy or sell spiritual things. By their avarice, they procure infamy in this world, and damnation in the next. (St. Augustine, ep. 208, de Temp.) (Worthington)
5:15
A blessing.... a present.
5:19
Go in peace.... What the prophet here allowed, was not an outward conformity to an idolatrous worship; but only a service which by his office he owed to his master: who on all public occasions leaned on him: so that his bowing down when his master bowed himself down was not in effect adoring the idols: nor was it so understood by the standers by, since he publicly professed himself a worshipper of the only true and living God, but it was no more than doing a civil office to the king his master, whose leaning upon him obliged him to bow at the same time that he bowed.
5:1
Liturgia The Epistle on Munday in the 3. weke of Lent.
5:17
In respect of Gods special electing and sāctifying the land of Chanaan, by his true religion, Naaman rightly estemed that earth fitter for an altar then the earth of his owne countrie.
5:19
19 Goe in peace.] Shcismatiques, as they are commonly (but improperly) now called in England, which being in mind and iudgement Catholiques, goe The case of going to heretical seruice, and Naamans going to the temple of an idol differ in diuers respectes. Difference of times. sometimes to Protestantes common prayers, or sermons, draw an excuse of their fact, from this warrant of the Prophet, permitting a Nobleman of Syria to goe and serue his king in the temple, when he adored an Idol. But whosoeuer wil duly consider this example, shal find great difference in respect of the times, places, persons, and of the very doubtes proposed, betwen this mans case and ours. For before Christs Gospel was promulgate, neither al Articles of faith were so expresly taught, nor the external profession therof so strictly commanded, as now they are in time of more grace, which geueth more ayde to mans weaknes, wherin also more perfection is required, and therfore our Sauiour exacteth of al to confesse him, and his Religion, before men: els he vvil denie them before his Father. Likewise in the place. where this Nobleman dwelt, his Mat. 10. presence in the temple, and seruice to the king, could not be accounted a reuolt from true religion, which was neuer professed there, nor be scandalous to anie Of places. man being al Infidels: but in a christian countrie; where al beare the name of Christians, especially where men are at controuersie about the true Christian religion, al that frequent, or repaire to the same assemblies, for publique seruice of God, are reputed to be of the same religion; or els dissemblers, as it were to haue no care of religion, knowing God, and not glorifying him as God. Rom. 1. 2. Pet. 1. and reuolting from the truth which they had lerned. The difference also of persons Of persons. is great. For this Nobleman hauing before his conuersion serued his king, in the office of sustayning him, when he bowed to the Idol, if he should haue refused to do the same, it would rather haue bene supposed, that he disdained his Maister, or shewed disloyaltie, then thought, that he refrayned for religion: wheras in our case, verie few do such temporal seruice, about the king in the church: and such as doe carrie the sword, scepter, or the like, are accounted of that religion, which is there practised; except they manifest the contrarie, as this man did, and our men commonly do not. Yea if anie do say they are Catholiques, and yet goe to the Protestantes church, they are counted of that rank, S. Paul speaketh of, which confesse they knovv God, but denie him in their deedes. Tit. •. And those which refuse such an office, can not be iudged disloyal, because it The thinges demanded differ much. is sufficiently knowne, that Catholiques refuse of mere conscience. An other most especial difference is in the thinges demanded. This Syrian promising expresly before the Prophet, and his owne great trayne, that he would neuer againe serue false goddes, and that he would serue the onlie true God, and for that purpose caried earth with him, to make an Altar for Sacrifice, and returning home preached the miracle wrought in himself, desired not to doe anie thing, wherby he might seme to serue an Idol: but that when the king leaning vpon D. ••istous Motiuo. 23. him, should adore Remmon, he might bow with his maister, not adoring the Idol, for he resolued and promised the contrarie, but adoring God Almightie, in whom now he beleued. And this the Prophet approued, in that time, place, and person to be lawful. But those that now in England goe to Protestants Personal presence at heretical seruice in England, a distinctiue signe of conformity to heresie. seruice, or sermons, do neither publikly renounce al heresies, not professe to frequent Masse, the true Sacrifice of the Christian Church, nor auouch the erecting of an Altar, but goe to church, to shew them selues obedient to the Parlament law, which abandoned the true Diuine Seruice, and in place therof appointed & commanded al to be present, at a new forme of common prayer, thereby making it a distinctiue signe of conformitie, and participation in that religion, which these dissemblers in their consciences know to be false.
This example therfore doth in no sorte warrant their going to the heretical church: but contrariwise admonisheth al to take resolution in our case (as Naaman did in his) of our Eliseus, or spiritual Superior, and if he should say: Goe in peace, then might they pleade an excuse, but he sayth: None can goe without incurring greuous sinne, and eternal damnation The case being so much different from Naamans. It is in deede more like to that of Eleazatus, and other Machabees, who were commanded by eating svvines flesh, to depart from the lavv of A case very like to ours 2. Machab. •. 7. God, and their fathers. VVhich by no meanes was lawful to doe, nor to make shew of doing it, but rather to dye, as they did most gloriously.
5:20
Giezi prefigured Iudas the false Apostle of Christ. and al those that buy or sel spiritual thinges for money who by their auarice lose Gods grace, and gaine infamie in this world, and eternal damnation in the next. S. Aug. ser. 208. de tempore.
5:1
san Basilio † 379 d.C. The Letters 188
XVI. Naaman was not a great man with the Lord, but with his lord; that is, he was one of the chief princes of the King of the Syrians.
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Mysteries 3
… and so remembering this, he did not obey the command of the prophet, yet on the advice and persuasion of his servants he yielded and dipped himself. And being forthwith cleansed, he understood that it is not of the waters but of grace that a man is cleansed.
5:8
sant'Atanasio di Alessandria † 373 d.C. Against the Arians. (Orationes contra Arianos IV.) 3.23.2
… was his own but what was from God, ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ and since the works of the Saints, as they professed, were not their own but God’s who gave the power, Elijah for instance and Elisha invoking God that He Himself would raise the dead, and Elisha saying to Naaman, on cleansing him from the leprosy, ‘that thou mayest know that there is a God in Israel
5:9
Tertulliano † 220 d.C. The Five Books Against Marcion 4.9
… nor, in like manner, as having destroyed the law, who had escaped defilement from the occasion of his phantom nature, not from any display of virtue. If, however, the Creator’s prophet Elisha cleansed Naaman the Syrian alone, to the exclusion of so many lepers in Israel,
Origene † 254 d.C. Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John 6.28
… But that we may receive the right interpretation about this Jordan, so good to drink, so full of grace, it may be of use to compare the cleansing of Naaman the Syrian from his leprosy, and what is said of the rivers of religion of the enemies of Israel. It is recorded of Naaman
5:10
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Duties of the Clergy 3.1.6
… Having distributed ten loaves to the people for food, he gathered up the fragments that were left after they had been filled. He makes the iron head of the axe, which had fallen off and was sunk deep in the river Jordan, to swim by putting the wooden handle in the water. He changes leprosy for cleanness,
5:11
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. Concerning Repentance 2.2
… and God is able whensoever He wills to forgive us our sins, even those which we think cannot be forgiven. And so it is possible for God to give us that which it seems to us impossible to obtain. For it seemed impossible that water should wash away sin, and Naaman the Syrian
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom 31
But see his dullness: how he requires of Christ two things, both His actual presence, and the laying on of His hand: and this by the way is a sign that he had left her still breathing. This Naaman also, that Syrian, required of the prophet. “For I thought,” saith he, “he will surely come out, and will lay on his hand.”
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. John 56
… Often have I washed there with many others, and have gained no good; had he possessed any power, he would while present have healed me.” Just as Naaman spake respecting Elisha; for he too being commanded to go wash in Jordan, believed not, and this too when there was such a fame abroad concerning Elisha. (
5:14
sant'Ireneo di Lione † 202 d.C. Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, XXXIV 1
“And dipped himself,” says [the Scripture], “seven times in Jordan.”
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Holy Spirit 1.pref.17
17. This is the special excellence of Thy loving-kindness, wherewith Thou hast redeemed the whole world one by one. Elijah was sent to one widow; Elisha cleansed one;
sant'Ambrogio † 397 d.C. On the Mysteries 4
21. So that Syrian dipped himself seven times
5:15
papa san Gregorio I Magno † 604 d.C. Register of the Epistles of St. Gregory the Great 6.60
We have received with the charity that was due to the bearer of these presents, our common son the deacon Isidore, who brought to us the benediction
5:20
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on Second Corinthians 23
[8.] So that when thou seest a rich man plundering a poor, leave him that suffereth wrong, and weep for the plunderer. For the one putteth off filth, the other bedaubeth himself with more filth. Such was the fate of Elisha’s servant in the story of Naaman (
5:25
san Cirillo di Gerusalemme † 386 d.C. The Catechetical Lectures of S. Cyril 16.17
… and he took the money from Naaman, and bestowed it in a dark place. But the darkness is not hidden from the Saints . And when he came, Elisseus asked him; and like Peter, when he said, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much ? he also enquires, Whence comest thou, Gehazi
5:26
sant'Atanasio di Alessandria † 373 d.C. Life of Antony. (Vita Antoni.) 16
… And if even once we have a desire to know the future, let us be pure in mind, for I believe that if a soul is perfectly pure and in its natural state, it is able , being clear-sighted, to see more and further than the demons—for it has the Lord who reveals to it—like the soul of Elisha, which saw what was done
san Giovanni Crisostomo † 407 d.C. Homilies on First Corinthians 15
… For this is the meaning of being “present in spirit:” as Elisha was present with Gehazi, and said, “Went not my heart with thee? (
sant'Agostino d'Ippona † 430 d.C. City of God 22.29
… For, following the Septuagint version, these are the prophet’s words: “Did not my heart go with thee, when the man came out of his chariot to meet thee, and thou tookedst his gifts?”
5:2
2. DE SYRIA EGRESSI FUERANT LATRUNCULI, id est milites ad prædandum hostilem terram Israel: sic milites olim vocabantur "latrones," ob causas quas superius dedi; nunc sæpe non tantum vocantur, sed reipsa sunt latrones. CAPTIVAM DUXERANT PUELLAM PARVULAM, per quam Deus Naaman principem Syriæ sanavit tum corpore, tum mente, ut fieret fidelis et Dei cultor. Sic sub Constantino Imperatore femina Christiana captiva assiduis suis precibus, jejuniis et pietatis exercitiis Iberos ad Christi fidem traduxit, teste Nicephoro, lib. VIII, cap. XXXIV.
5:5
5. Et decem mutatoria vestimentorum, ut ea offerret Eliseo, qui iis uteretur, cum vestem quotidianam mutare vellet. Vestes elegantiores et pretiosiores intelligit, quibus utimur in publico et diebus solemnibus, inquit Vatablus.
5:6
6. UT CURES EUM A LEPRA, ut cures eum a lepra liberari per prophetam, quem audio apud te esse thaumaturgum. Nec enim rex noverat Eliseum, ideoque non ad eum, sed ad regem Israel sibi notum scribit, ut per Eliseum curet Naaman sanari.
5:7
7. NUMQUID EGO SUM DEUS? Rex Israel crude accipit verba regis Syriæ: nec enim sciebat quid puella regi Syriæ de Eliseo dixisset, quodque rex non per se, sed per Eliseum peteret curari Naaman a lepra. Unde suspicatus est regem sibi insidiari, bellumque meditari, et hanc belli occasionem prætexere.
5:10
10. MISITQUE AD EUM ELISEUS NUNTIUM. Cur ipse Eliseus non ivit ad Naaman, ut eum quasi principem honorifice exciperet? Respondent primo Theodoretus et Procopius quod legis adeo studiosus esset Eliseus, ut ne immundi quidem hominis aspectum, multo minus contactum ferre vellet, ut scilicet intelligeremus quam eorum mores et consuetudinem defugere oporteat, quos graviorum scelerum infidelitatis et hæreseos lepra inquinat. Secundo, et verius, ut ostenderet se ab aula et aulicis abstractum, Deo soli quasi religiosum vacare, ideoque parvi facere principum præsentiam, famulos, equos et pompam, quæ mundus admiratur. Non ergo id fecit ex superbia, utpote qui, "non solum se conspici, sed teneri etiam a muliere permisit," cap. IV, ait S. Gregorius, lib. VII Moral. cap. XV, qui et sub initium capitis celsitudinem animi in Eliseo similibusque sanctis prædicans ait: "Cuncta quippe quæ foris eminent, occultis eorum obtutibus per despectum jacent. Nam super se interius rapti in alio animum figunt, et quæque in hac vita patiuntur, quasi longe infra labentia atque a se aliena conspiciunt; atque, ut ita dixerim, dum mente extra carnem fieri decertant, pene ipsa quæ tolerant, ignorant. In horum profecto oculis quid temporaliter eminet, altum non est. Nam velut in magni vertice montis siti, præsentis vitæ gaudia plene despiciunt: seque ipsos per spiritalem celsitudinem transcendentes, subjecta sibimet intus vident, quæcumque per carnalem gloriam foris tument. Unde et nullis contra veritatem potestatibus parcunt: sed quos attolli per elationem conspiciunt, per spiritus auctoritatem premunt." Sic S. Antonius, salutatus a Constantino Magno per litteras, vix voluit respondere; respondit tamen coactus pene a discipulis, eique monita salutis dedit, teste S. Athanasio. Tertio, voluit Eliseus miraculi et sanitatis futuræ magnitudinem augere, dum per famulum internuntium illud peragit, ait Abulensis; idque non contactu, sed solo verbo, ait Auctor Mirabil. S. Scripturæ, lib. II, cap. XXVIII.
5:11
11. PUTABAM QUOD EGREDERETUR AD ME, ET STANS INVOCARET NOMEN DOMINI DEI SUI, ET TANGERET MANU SUA LOCUM LEPRÆ, ET CURARET ME. Loquitur Naaman ex sensu principum gentilium superborum, qui ex suo judicio præfigunt sibi modum patrandi miraculi; sed Deus, volens eos humiliare, alium ejus modum præscribit, ut discant Deo se suumque judicium submittere, ac a Deo legem accipere, non dare, illique simpliciter per omnia obedire.
5:12
12. NUMQUID NON MELIORES SUNT ABANA ET PHARPHAR FLUVII DAMASCI? Audi Benjamin in Itinerario: "Urbs ipsa Damascus maxima, atque pulcherrima est, muris cincta; regio vero tota hortis et paradisis instructissima, ex singulis lateribus quindena continens milliaria. Nusquam alias in tota terra fructifera urbis huic similis visitur, quam duo flumina ex Hermone monte delapsa beant, Amma et Pharphar: sita est enim urbs sub Hermone monte, Amma urbem ipsam influit, cujus aquæ per tubos in omnes magnatum domos, atque etiam in fora et plateas deducuntur; estque regio ipsa negotii omnium terrarum frequens. Pharphar vero urbem ipsam præterfluens, hortos et paradisos omnes irrigat."
5:13
13. PATER, ETSI REM GRANDEM DIXISSET TIBI PROPHETA, CERTE FACERE DEBUERAS; QUANTO MAGIS QUIA NUNC DIXIT TIBI: LAVARE ET MUNDABERIS. Benignus in famulos instar patris erat Naaman, adeo ut ab eis "pater" vocaretur, et ut pater amaretur, qui proinde benevole consilium salutare illi suggesserunt, quod ipse placide audivit et acceptavit. Sic et Eliseus Eliam magistrum suum vocabat patrem, dicens: "Pater mi, currus Israel et auriga ejus." Sic etiamnum Hollandi natura sua benigni suos heros et dominos vocant: Baer, id est pater.
5:14
14. DESCENDIT ET LAVIT SEPTIES IN JORDANE. Cur septies? ut septenarius numerus, qui universitatis numerus censetur, demonstraret omnia scelera capitalia, quæ septem numerantur; et in omne tempus, quod septem hebdomadæ diebus circumfertur, penitus ex animis eradicanda. Tertullianus, lib. IV contra Marc. cap. IX, nationum, ait: "Quæ septem maculis capitalium delictorum inhorrent. Quapropter septies, quasi per singulos titulos, in Jordane lavit; simul et ut totius hebdomadis caneret expiationem, quia unius lavacri vis et plenitudo Christo soli dicabatur, facturo in terris sicut sermonem compendiatum, ita et lavacrum." Secundo septies, ut significetur perfecta corporis et animi ablutio et sanitas: illa enim constat elementis quatuor, eorumque justa temperie producitur; hæc vero invocato S. Trinitatis nomine in baptismo peragitur. Ita Theodoretus et Procopius. Tertio, septena lotio septem Ecclesiæ Christi Sacramenta adumbrat, quibus omnis peccati lepra abstergitur; hæc ergo sunt quasi septem baptismata et ablutiones animæ. ET MUNDATUS EST. Ecce hic est fructus simplicis obedientiæ. Sic Constantinus Magnus a lepra purgatus est aqua baptismi collati a S. Sylvestro, non vi aquæ, nec etiam vi baptismi præcise (Baptismi enim effectus est abluere peccata animæ, non lepram corporis), sed quia aqua hæc a divinæ voluntatis et propheticæ jussionis instrumentum fuit," ut ait S. Ambrosius. Allegorice, lotio Naaman in Jordane significat primo baptismum, qui lavat lepram animæ. Hic enim in Jordane, cum Christus in eo baptizatus est, ad hoc quasi consecratus fuit. Secundo, pœnitentiæ; Jordanis enim Hebraice idem est quod "fluvius judicii," quod in Sacramento pœnitentiæ peragitur. Ita Angelomus, Prosper et alii. Audi S. Ambrosium, lib. IV cap. IV Lucæ: "Disce spiritalia Sacramenta signari. Corporis remedium petitur, mentis acquiritur. Abluitur caro, affectus diluitur. Non enim magis corporis, quam mentis lepram video fuisse mundatam: quando post baptismum veteris erroris colluvione detersa, negat se diis alienis hostias, quas spoponderat Domino, litaturum." Hinc Eliseus hic fuit typus Christi jubentis Apostolis: "Gratis accepistis, gratis date," ait S. Augustinus, sermone 208 De Tempore.
5:15
15. OBSECRO ITAQUE UT ACCIPIAS BENEDICTIONEM A SERVO TUO, scilicet munera quæ tibi attuli vers. 5. Hæc enim ab Hebræis vocantur "benedictio," quia signa sunt amoris et benevolentiæ. Adde: hæc "benedictio" est realis, idemque quod "benefactio." Sic benedicere Dei est efficax, idemque quod benefacere.
5:16
16. VIVIT DOMINUS ANTE QUEM STO, QUIA NON ACCIPIAM, q. d. Esto sim cum meis discipulis in summa egestate et paupertate, tamen juro me tua munera non accepturum, ut ostendam hoc miraculum non esse meum, sed Dei; utque illud me pure ex amore Dei, non ob munera patrasse demonstrem; utque tu discas servos Dei, non munera hominum, sed Dei ambire. Idem fecit S. Hilarion. Audi quid de Oriono a legione dæmonum per eum liberato in ejus vita scribat S. Hieronymus: "Curatus, ait, cum uxore et liberis, venit ad monasterium, plurima, quasi gratiam redditurus, dona afferens. Cui sanctus: Non legisti, inquit, quid Giezi, quid Simon passi sint; quorum alter accepit pretium, alter obtulit: ut ille venderet gratiam Spiritus Sancti, hic mercaretur? Cumque Orionus flens diceret: Accipe, et da pauperibus, repondit: Tu melius potes tua distribuere, qui per urbes ambulas, et nosti pauperes; ego, qui mea reliqui, cur aliena appetam?" Perfecta ergo sanctitas munera quælibet et quantalibet refutat, uti fecit Abraham, Gen. XIV, 22; de quo S. Ambrosius, lib. I De Abraham, cap. III: "Quantum, inquit, est illud, quod de præda victoriæ nihil voluit contingere, nec oblatum sumere? Minuit enim fructum triumphi mercedis susceptio, et beneficii arrodit gratiam. Plurimum enim refert utrum pecuniæ, an gloriæ dimicaveris." Hinc a Deo audire meruit: "Ego protector tuus sum et merces tua magna nimis," Gen. XV, vers. 1. Ubi S. Ambrosius citatus: "Quoniam, inquit, sibi mercedem ab homine non quæsivit, a Deo accepit."
5:17
17. OBSECRO, CONCEDE MIHI SERVO TUO, UT TOLLAM ONUS BURDONUM DUORUM DE TERRA Israel. "Burdonum," id est mulorum, ut vertit Chaldæus, Septuaginta, Vatablus, Pagninus et alii. Hebraice enim פרד Pered est mulus, ac forte a Pered dictus est burdo, litteram P in vicinam labialem B commutando. Fit in Digest. lib. XXXII, titul. 49, mentio "Burdonum," ubi male Accursius baculos intelligit, qui Gallice bourdons vocantur. Unde Cujacius, lib. XI Observat. cap. XVI, "burdones" asserit esse mulos, qui manni et burici vocantur, geniti ex asino et equa, vel equo et asina; ideoque Hebraice dicuntur peradim, id est divisi, separati, quod divisæ et diversæ a suis genitoribus sint speciei: פרד parad enim est dividere, separare. Sensus est, q. d. Concede ut possim tollere de terra tua tantum quantum possunt ferre duo "burdones," id est muli, ut ex ea quasi sancta erigam in patria mea altare Deo Israel, quem solum verum esse Deum ex hoc miraculo sanationis meæ agnosco, veneror et amo. Unde verisimile est Naaman circum altare erexisse templum vel sacellum, in eoque cum tota familia sua Deum coluisse, ac multos alios ad illum ibi colendum induxisse. Potuisset Naaman ex terra Syriæ altare erigere, Israeliticam tamen optavit, quod eam, uti monet Theodoretus, Quæst. XIX, Abulensis, Quæst. XXII, sanctam crederet, quam præ cæteris Deus elegisset, in qua populum templumque suum collocasset, quæ tot sanctissimorum virorum domiciliis et virtutibus celebraretur. Nota hunc locum pro cultu reliquiarum Sanctorum, nam votum Naaman probavit Eliseus propheta Dei. NON ENIM FACIET SERVUS TUUS HOLOCAUSTUM AUT VICTIMAM DIIS ALIENIS NISI (sed tantum) DOMINO. Hebraice Jehova, qui verus et unicus est Moysis et Israelis Deus. Huc ecce Naamanum perduxit Elisei sanctitas, et munerum despicientia. Unde sanctiorem, ait Mendoza in lib. I Reg. XII, 4, judicavit terram illam, in qua munerum cupiditas sepelitur, quam illam aquam in qua corporum lepra expiatur. Ob eam rationem sananti leprate Eliseo obtulit aurum, tanquam medico: repudianti aurum obtulit preces, tanquam Deo: neque propria auctoritate, sed illius obtenta prius facultate, terræ portionem ausus est exportare.
5:18
18. HOC AUTEM SOLUM EST, DE QUO DEPRECERIS DOMINUM PRO SERVO TUO, QUANDO INGREDIETUR DOMINUS MEUS (rex Syriæ) TEMPLUM REMMON, UT ADORET, ET ILLO INNITENTE SUPER MANUM MEAM, SI ADORAVERO IN TEMPLO REMMON, ADORANTE EO IN EODEM LOCO, UT IGNOSCAT MIHI DOMINUS SERVO TUO PRO HAC RE.
5:19
19. QUI DIXIT EI: VADE IN PACE. Gregorius de Valentia, tract. De fide et fidei professione, disp. I, Quæst. III, puncto 2, ad 3, censet hanc petitionem Naaman continere rem illicitam, scilicet professionem idololatriæ; Naaman enim cooperatum fuisse idololatriæ regis in adoratione idoli Remmon, ideoque Eliseum non annuere nec directe respondere, sed permittere, id est negative se habere, quia videbat eum hoc tempore incapacem correctionis, ad deponendam hanc idololatriæ simulationem, ideoque illam in aliud tempus distulisse, ac pro hac vice suffecisse ei, quod Naamanum ad veri Dei cognitionem perduxisset. Verum si Naaman cooperabatur idololatriæ, debuisset Eliseus eum hac de re docere nec dissimulare. Nam ex eo quod ait: "Vade in pace," omnino colligebat Naaman Eliseum suæ petitioni annuere, et concedere ut, rege adorante, adoraret et ipse in templo Remmon; quare Eliseus favisset et confirmasset Naaman in sua idololatria, quod absit. Pejus Priscillianistæ, quos sequitur Machiavellus, dicebant licitum esse simulare exterius hæresim vel idololatriam, dummodo in animo veram fidem retineas; unde aiebant: "Jura, perjura, secretum prodere noli." Mitius, perperam tamen Adrianus in IV, Quæst. I De Baptismo, resp. ad 5, asserit licitum esse extrinsecus simulare idololatriam, si absit scandalum, nec instet præceptum confitendi fidem. Nota ergo adorationem hanc Naaman non fuisse proprie dictam: sic enim fuisset impia et idololatrica, sed impropriam, scilicet incurvationem politicam corporis, vel genuflexionem obsequii causa, ut scilicet regem ex officio sibi commisso fulciret et sustentaret in templo, uti et alibi facere consueverat; quod facere non poterat, nisi, rege genuflectente, ipse pariter genuflecteret. Est catachresis. Id patet ex Hebræo השח shaca, quod proprie significat, curvare vel incurvare se, uti vertit hic Arias. Alia ergo fuit adoratio regis, alia Naaman; rex enim proprie adorabat idolum suum Remmon: Naaman vero adorabat improprie, id est curvabat se, ut regi suo se curvanti accommodaret, eumque sustentaret et honoraret. Erat ergo hæc ejus adoratio non religiosa, sed politica et civilis; sicut Abraham adoravit, id est reverentiam exhibuit, filios Heth, Gen. XXIII, 7, et Jacob adoravit, id est veneratus est filium suum Joseph principem Ægypti, Hebr. XI, 21. Solebat enim rex Syriæ, cum incederet, aut se quacumque de causa prosterneret, inniti aut manibus, aut humeris Naaman: quare necesse erat ut sese Naaman ad regis motum, atque habitum accommodaret. Ex quo fiebat ut cum stante staret, cum incedente incederet, et procedente ipse quoque procederet. Hoc enim si omisisset, incivilis et rusticus, imo infidelis habitus fuisset. Dices: Naaman cooperabatur regi adoranti Remmon; ergo cooperabatur ejus idololatriæ. Respondeo negando consequentiam. Cooperabatur enim regi ad actionem naturalem, scilicet ad curvationem corporis duntaxat, non autem ad moralem, vel ad intentionem regis, qua erat curvando se adorare Remmon. Sic nobiles, ait Cajetanus, comitantes suum regem euntem ad concubinam, non peccant; quia non comitantur eum, ut vadat ad fornicandum et peccandum, sed absolute ut vadat quocumque libuerit: comitantur enim eum duntaxat honoris et obsequii causa, ut famuli dominum suum. Sensus ergo Naaman fuit, q. d. Peto, o Elisee, facultatem ut, curvante se rege in templo Remmon ad eum adorandum, liceat et mihi regem sustentanti curvare me, non ad adorandum Remmon, sed ut hoc obsequium et servitium regi meo præstem, ad quod ex officio meo teneor, tam in templo quam alibi, ne gradu et dignitate apud regem excidam. Rex enim innititur super me; quare quocumque ipse se flectit, et vertit, ego pariter me vertere et flectere debeo. Erat ergo actus hic curvandi adiaphoros et indifferens, eratque cultus non sacer, sed civilis et politicus. Nam sustentare regem sive stantem, sive ambulantem, sive genuflectentem per se est actus observantiæ; per accidens vero est, quod contingat eum sustentari, dum ille coram idolo incurvatur. Id enim non est idolo, sed regi reverentiam exhibere. Dices, secundo: Naaman dabat scandalum aulicis; putabant enim ipsi eum adorare cum rege idolum Remmon. Respondeo nullum fuit scandalum, tum quia sciebant Naaman ex officio teneri ad sustinendum regem in hac corporis curvatione, nec aliud prætendere; tum quia Naaman publice abdicarat idola, et profitebatur cultum veri Dei Israelis, eique altare et sacellum erexerat, in quo totam suam familiam Deum verum secum adorare compellebat. Ita Abulensis, Lyranus, Burgensis, Cajetanus, Serarius, Sanchez, Salianus hic, et Suarez, De fide, tract. I, disp. XIV, sect. 4, num. 8. Quin et Tertullianus, lib. De Idololatria, cap. XV, in fine: "Sed quoniam, inquit, ita malis circumdedit sæculum idololatria, licebit adesse in quibusdam, quæ nos homini, non idolo officiosos habent. Plane ad sacerdotium et sacrificatur vocatus non ibo (proprium enim idoli officium est), sed neque consilio, neque sumptu aliave opera in hujusmodi fungar. Si propter sacrificium vocatus assistam, ero particeps idololatriæ: si me alia causa conjungit sacrificanti, ero tantum spectator sacrificii." Porro hac in re circumspecte agendum est: una enim circumstantia subinde speciem facti mutat, et quod erat licitum, facit illicitum; ut si rex velit suos famulos cogere ad idololatriam, ideoque eos compellat secum ire ad templum, ut secum idolum adorent, ut fecit Julianus apostata. Unde Valentinianus dux militiæ postea imperator Julianum quidem euntem ad idolorum fanum, honoris causa comitatus est; sed cum ibidem sacrificus idololatra roscidis quibusdam frondibus eum aspersisset, ipse illi alapam impegit conviciisque eum proscidit, ac partem vestis in quam asperginis illius gutta ceciderat, abscidit. Quocirca ipse ob Christianam fidem a Juliano militia exutus, et in exilium actus hac sua in fide constantia meruit Juliano post Jovianum in imperio succedere. "Qui ergo omnia pietati posthabuit, omnia consecutus est munere pietatis," ait Baronius anno Christi 364. Sic S. Sergius et Bacchus primicerii Maximiani Imperatoris comitati sunt eum sacrificaturum Jovi usque ad januas templi; sed illud ingredi noluerunt. Causam rogati, dixerunt se religione prohiberi; se enim Christianos esse, nec Jovem, sed Deum verum colere. Qua de causa excruciati gloriosum obiere martyrii agonem die 7 octobris: quia nimirum tunc asseclæ imperatoris solebant injicere thus thuribulo in honorem idoli, et idolo acclamare, aliisque signis et modis cooperari idololatriæ imperatoris. Adde, tunc flagrante imperatorum in Christianos persecutione, signum idolorum cultus erat astare sacrificiis. Denique sub decem primis imperatoribus fideles persequentibus, Christiani ferventes erant, et quamlibet idololatriæ speciem et umbram horrebant et cavebant. Porro Naaman hic factus est veri Dei cultor, non tamen Judæus vel proselytus, quia non fuit circumcisus; quare legem Moysis servare non tenebatur, uti ad eam æque ac ad circumcisionem obligabantur omnes Judæi, tanquam Abrahæ, Isaac et Jacob posteri: mansit ergo Naaman gentilis, et Deum verum colebat, uti colebant patres omnes ante diluvium in statu legis naturæ. Vide S. Augustinum, sermone 207 De Temp. qui est de Naaman Syro. REMMON. Nonnulli censent Remmon esse Jovem summum deorum, itaque dici quasi רמון Remmon, id est excelsum, utpote altitonantem. Melius Serarius, Sanchez et alii censent esse Venerem, tum quia Venus erat dea Syriæ, tum quia Syri Venerem faciebant tam deum quam deam, teste Macrobio; tum quia "Remmon" Hebraice significat malum punicum. Veneri autem poma præsertim aurea et punica, ob pulchritudinem et seminum fecunditatem, sacra fuisse testantur Theocritus, Virgilius, Lucianus et Ovidius, lib. X Metamorph. Vide Pererium, Hieroglyph. lib. LIV. Sic Romani colebant Pomonam, quasi deam pomorum, teste S. Augustino, lib. III De Civit. cap. XXIV. ABIIT ERGO AB EO ELECTO TERRÆ TEMPORE. Chaldæus et Pagninus, abiit ab eo milliare terræ; Septuaginta, in spatio terræ; Isidorus, quasi per stadium terræ; Vatablus, jugerum agri; Cajetanus ex R. David, prandio terræ, id est tanto spatio Naaman abierat ab Elisæo, cum ad eum venit Giezi petens munera, quantum durante prandio confici potest scilicet milliare. Et huic expositioni vulgatam versionem accommodat Sanchez, ut electum tempus vocetur milliare; milliare enim est communis et electa hominum mensura, quam scilicet omnes communi consensu elegerunt ad demetiendum locorum spatia et distantias. Verum Noster, Genes. XXXV, 16, vertit, verne tempore; alibi vertit, tempus viridationis. Ergo tempus electum est tempus vernum quo omnia virent. Ita Rupertus: addit hoc Scriptura, ut significet Eliseum prudenter Naamano præscripsisse lotionem in Jordane, ex eo quod erat tempus vernum; tunc enim, tepente aura, lotiones corpori salutares sunt, cum in hyeme ob frigus sint noxiæ. Rursum, ut significet lætiorem hanc a lepra curationem accidisse Naamano, ex tempore, utpote qui acciderit in vere, cum omnia florent et lætitiam homini aspirant, lætissimum ergo ipsum rediisse domum. Vide dicta Genes. XXXV, 16.
5:20
20. VIVIT DOMINUS, QUIA CURRAM POST EUM, ET ACCIPIAM AB EO ALIQUID, q. d. Juro per Deum quod petam a Naaman aliquod antidoron, sive munus pro sanitate ei data a meo magistro Eliseo. Hinc patet Giezi proprie non fuisse Simoniacum, quia miraculosam sanitatem Naamano non vendidit pretio, nec de eo cum ipso pactus est; sed post gratis ei datam ab Eliseo sanitatem, munus aliquod ab eo petiit: Simoniacus vero primus fuit Simon magus, qui a sancto Petro emere voluit pretio Spiritum Sanctum, Actorum VIII; unde ab eo hoc peccatum nomen Simoniæ accepit. Peccavit tamen graviter Giezi: Primo, quod inscio et invito Eliseo hoc munus a Naaman petierit et acceperit; secundo, quod mentitus sit Eliseum id petere; tertio, quod Eliseo hanc notam cupiditatis inusserit, quæ multum ejus sanctitati et honori derogabat. Ipse enim respuens munera Naaman ab eo habitus fuit ut vir divinus, et propheta cœlestis: jam vero petens munera videri ei potuit homo egens et cupidus, ac similis pseudoprophetis, qui pro suis vaticiniis accipiebant munera. Quare poterat Naaman deficere a fide quam conceperat de Deo vero, ex sanctitate et integritate Elisei. Unde valde verisimile est Eliseum effecisse, ut Naaman resciret Giezi se inscio munera hæc ab eo petiisse, ideoque a se lepra punitum, ut hac ratione integritas sua in munerum contemptu Naamano constaret; itaque ille in opinione quam de eo conceperat, ac vera in Deum fide confirmaretur. Quarto, Giezi peccavit furto, quia Naaman munera hæc mittebat Eliseo, pro quo ea Giezi petebat; Giezi autem illa in suos usus convertere destinabat. Unde ea abscondit versu 24, ne quid Eliseus de iis sciret. Quocirca mox Eliseus illi exprobrat, vers. 16: "Accepisti argentum, inquit, ut emas oliveta et vineas." Quinto, peccavit simonia mentali; animum enim habuit simoniacum: petiit enim munera a Naaman intuitu sanitatis miraculose illi ab Eliseo collatæ, quasi hæc merces et hoc pretium Eliseo pro sanitate deberetur. Unde S. Ambrosius, lib. De Dignitate sacerdotali, cap. IV, ait simoniacos esse sectatores Giezi et Simonis Magi, ideoque lepram simoniæ adhærere eorum non corporibus, sed mentibus.
5:26
26. NONNE COR MEUM IN PRÆSENTI (præsens) ERAT, QUANDO REVERSUS EST HOMO (Naaman) DE CURRU SUO IN OCCURSUM TUI. "Cor," id est mens et oculi mentis meæ a Deo supernaturaliter elevati et adjuti fuere, ut absentem et remotam tuam munerum a Naaman acceptionem, quasi præsentem cognoscerent et cernerent, q. d. Putabas me absentem, cum munera petisti: at ego spiritu tibi præsens eram; mentis enim intuitu vidi omnia quæ fecisti. Multo ergo magis, ait S. Augustinus, lib. XXII De Civit. cap. XIX, Sancti in cœlis absentia et remota quæ in terra fiunt, cernere possunt. Simili modo S. Benedictus vidit absentia multa, uti narrat S. Gregorius, II Dialog. cap. XIII, vers. 18, 19. Unde addit S. Gregorius eum habuisse spiritum Elisei. 26. ACCEPISTI ARGENTUM, etc. UT EMAS OLIVETA ET VINEAS, ET OVES, ET BOVES, ET SERVOS, ET ANCILLAS. Talentum argenti continebat sex millia siclorum argenti, hoc est, sex millia florenorum Brabanticorum sive Francorum, ut vocant Galli: quare duo talenta quæ accepit Giezi valebant duodecim millibus Francorum, quæ faciunt quatuor millia coronatorum Francicorum: quorum quisque continet duodecim Julios sive Regales; hac summa autem illo ævo, cum omnia essent vili pretio, ac rarum foret argentum, poterant emi hæc omnia. Alii disjunctive explicant, q. d. Ut emas, vel oliveta, vel vineas, vel oves et boves. Hinc videtur quod Eliseus munera hæc sibi a Naaman per Giezi missa, ipsi Giezi concesserit et dederit, ne ipse injuste ea possidens continue peccaret.
5:27
27. SED ET LEPRA NAAMAN ADHÆREBIT TIBI ET SEMINI TUO USQUE IN SEMPITERNUM, non absolute, ut patet, sed q. d. ad longissimum et immemorabile tempus, v. g. per trecentos annos, sive in tertiam et quartam generationem, Exodi XXXIV, 7. Ita Serarius, Abulensis, Sanchez et alii. Argentum ergo quod inique accepit Giezi fuit veneno infectum et pestiferum, instar vestium nummorumque quibus in domo peste infecta pestis adhærescit, ut ea accipientem invadat et inficiat. Sic enim lepra Naaman quasi adhæsisset argento, infecit Giezi illud recipientem, eumque leprosum effecit. Quare deinceps Giezi cum Eliseo versatus non est, sed ut leprosus hominum consortium ex lege Levitica 13 et 14, vitare debuit: nec enim eum Eliseus legis studiosissimus ad se admisisset. Ita Abulensis, Quæst. X, quod ergo Giezi cap. VIII, cum rege Joram collocutus dicitur, eique miracula Elisei narrasse, id videtur contigisse antequam percussus esset lepra; unde Abulensis, Serarius, Salianus et alii censent hic esse hysterologiam, ac Giezi lepram, et consequenter Naamani ad Eliseum adventum et sanationem, posterius contigisse, scilicet anno ultimo regni Joram, cum paulo post ipse occisus est a Jehu: si quis tamen ordinem S. Scripturæ retinere velit, dicat oportet Giezi pænitentiam egisse, sicque Deum et Eliseum placasse, lepramque a se, si non a posteris omnibus repulisse, ait Serarius, itaque jam mundatum collocutum esse cum rege Joram.
5:1
… Il sacrificio espiatorio implica il concetto della l. considerata come castigo di Dio. Nel Vecchio Testamento (cf. Ex. 4, 6; Num. 5, 2; 12, 10; II Reg. 5, 1; 7, 3; II Par. 26, 20 sg.) e nel Nuovo (cf. Mt. 8, 2; 10, 5; 11, 5; 26, 6) si parla spesso di lebbrosi, di alcuni dei quali si narra la guarigione miracolosa. …
Il generale siro, caro al suo Re (cf. II Reg. 5, 1), contemporaneo di Achab, Ochozia e Ioram, per aver arginato le invasioni di Salmanasar II, fu colpito dalla lebbra. …
5:12
ABANA (EBR. 'ABHĀNĀH «PIETROSO», DA 'EBHEN «PIETRA»)
ABANA (ebr. 'abhānāh «pietroso», da 'ebhen «pietra»). - Fiume di Damasco, nominato dal generale siro Naaman (II Reg. 5, 12) che ne contrappone l'importanza al modesto corso del Giordano. …
… suo incontro col Re d'Israele (ibid., p. 73, fig. 33) e la sua visita alla casa del profeta Eliseo (ibid., p. 75, fig. 34). Il Markthaler mette in rilievo che Farfa trae il suo nome proprio dal fiume « Pharphar » che bagna Damasco, ricordato da N. (II Reg. 5, 12). Un altro esempio molto più tardo (metà sec. XIII) in S. Maria-Lys in Colonia (P. Clemen, Die romanische Monumentalmalerei in dem Rheinlanden, Düsseldorf 1916, p. 575 e tav. 24). Enrico Josi
5:13
… Nau) il consigliere del re è detto « padre di tutta l'Assiria ». 7) Più genericamente: capo, superiore, padrone (II Reg. 5, 13); onde i titoli: 'ab beth-dîn (« presidente del tribunale »), πατὴρ συναγωγῆς (= 'ab hak-kôniset) che ricorre 10 volte nelle iscrizioni giudiche di Roma.
5:14
Lo stato di p. reintegra l'elemento mancante nell'uomo impuro: Naaman è dichiarato puro dopo esser stato guarito dalla lebbra (II Reg. 5, 14); « Mondami dal mio peccato » prega David (Ps. 50 [51], 4), cioè: reintegra in me quanto è mancante, deficiente. …
5:20
GIEZI (GĒBĀZĪ; SETTANTA = ΓΙΕΖΊ)
G., che per punizione fini lebbroso (II Reg. 5, 20-27).
5:24
Il nome, dalla radice 'áphal = « gonfiare », propriamente « protuberanza », « sporgenza » (Deut. 28, 27; I Sam. 54, 61), passò a significare un rialzo dal suolo o colle (cf. II Reg. 5, 24 « colle di Samaria »; Volg. …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · Douay-Rheims originale (Douai 1609-10), trascrizione EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Pubblico dominio.