Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they consoled him, and comforted him over all the trouble that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and everyone a ring of gold.
Read Chapter 42
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Brethren. Who had before shamefully abandoned him, chap. vi. 13. (Calmet)
Bemoaned. Literally, "shaked their heads at him "(Haydock) out of pity, (Menochius) or astonishment, (Tirinus; Calmet) at his fallen state, and at the present change for the better. They helped to restore him to affluence, in conformity with the will of God, who caused their presents of multiply. The kindred and friends of Job were undoubtedly numerous. (Haydock)
Ewe. Kesita, "lamb "as most of the ancients agree, (Spanheim) or a piece of money, (Bo chart) marked with the figure of a lamb. (Grotius) See Genesis xxxiii. 19. (Calmet)
Ear-ring. Hebrew Nezem, an ornament (Haydock) "for the nose "still very common in the East. Symmachus adds, "it was unadorned "(Calmet) or plain. Septuagint, "a piece of gold worth four drachms, and not coined "asemon. (Haydock)
Oleaster supposes that the nose was perforated, like the ear. But the ornament would thus be very inconvenient, and we may rather conclude that it hung down...
23. What is designated by the eating of bread but charity, and what by the moving of the head but admiration? But it is well subjoined, And comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. For to console the grief of one that had been smitten, is to rejoice with him on his pardon after he had been smitten. For the more a person is seen to rejoice on the restoration of his neighbour’s health, the more does he give proof that he had grieved at its loss.
And they gave him each one sheep, and one earring of gold.
24. Although all these things are truly stated according to the history, we are yet compelled by the very gifts which were offered to go back to the mystery of allegory. For we ought not to hear in a listless manner that they offered a sheep, and a single one, and a golden earring, and a single one. And if perhaps it is not wonderful in the mere letter why the sheep which was offered was one, yet it is very wonderful why the earring was one. But what reference...
