1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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Sirach 48:1 And *Elias, the prophet, stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.

3 Kings 17:1. 		Torch. He was animated with a burning zeal, (Menochius) like John the Baptist, admonishing kings, etc., John 5:35., and Luke 1:17. (Calmet)
Sirach 48:2 He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.

And they. Greek, "and by his zeal he diminished them. By," etc. (Haydock) --- He slew the priests of Baal, and many perished by famine, 4 Kings xviii. (Grotius) (Calmet)
Sirach 48:3 *By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.

3 Kings 17:1.; 4 Kings 1:10-12. 		Heaven. That it should not rain for three years and a-half, 3 Kings 17:1. --- Thrice. First upon his sacrifice, and twice to destroy fifty soldiers, Ibid.[3 Kings xvii.] 38., and 4 Kings 1:10. (Calmet) (Worthington)
Sirach 48:4 Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
Sirach 48:5 *Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.

3 Kings 17:22. 		Man. The son of the widow of Sarepta.
Sirach 48:6 Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.

Destruction. The prophets are said to perform what they foretell; to indicate the certainty of the event. Elias denounced death to Achab, Jezabel, Ochozias, and the two Jorams, 4 Kings 9:12., and 2 Paralipomenon 21:12., etc. (Calmet) --- Brokest. Greek, "those in honour from," etc., alluding to (Haydock) Ochozias and Joram, 4 Kings 1:16., and 1 Paralipomenon 21:15. (Calmet)
Sirach 48:7 Who hearest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.

Judgment. Greek, "the reprimand of the Lord," for betraying fear, (3 Kings 19:3, 9, 12.; Haydock) or the reprimand regarded Israel. (Calmet)
Sirach 48:8 Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.

Penance. Greek, "reward," (Haydock) or punish the guilty. Hazael and Jehu were anointed by Eliseus, though by order of Elias. --- Thee. Eliseus was called from the plough, and adhered to his master, who governed the sons of the prophets in large communities.
Sirach 48:9 *Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.

4 Kings 2:11.
Sirach 48:10 Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, *to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Malachias 4:6. 		Jacob. Protestants reject the authority of this book, partly (Haydock) on account of this (Worthington) ancient tradition. Enoch and Elias will appear in the days of antichrist, to convert many. The Jews will then agree with the Patriarchs, and embrace the religion of Christ. (Calmet) --- Elias came in the person of John the Baptist, at the first coming of our Saviour, but he will come in person before his second appearance. (Haydock) --- The application which Christ makes of the prediction of Malachy (Malachias 4:6.) to John the Baptist, does not exclude this more distant accomplishment. Elias is still alive in some part of the world, as well as Enoch, whom St. Augustine styles "the first-born (primogenitor) of our resurrection." (City of God 15:19.) (4 Kings 2:11.)
Sirach 48:11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.

Friendship. Like Eliseus, or the disciples of both. (Calmet) --- Greek, "who slept in love, for we also shall live indeed; (13.) Elias," etc. (Haydock) --- When we shall witness thy return, if we prove faithful, we may expect an immortal name, and not otherwise. (Calmet) --- He speaks in the person of those who shall live at that time. (Haydock)
Sirach 48:12 For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.
Sirach 48:13 *Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.

4 Kings 2:12. 		Eliseus. Who received his double spirit, with his garment, 4 Kings 2:15. --- Prince. Joram, 4 Kings 3:14., and 6:32.
Sirach 48:14 No word could overcome him, *and after death his body prophesied.

4 Kings 13:21. 		Overcome. Or "escape." (Greek; Syriac) He knew what Giezi and the Syrians were doing, at a distance, 4 Kings 5:26., and 6:12. --- Prophesied. Or raised the dead to life, 4 Kings 13:21. (Calmet) --- On his death-bed (ver. 15.) he also foretold the victory of Joas, ibid. 14.[4 Kings 13:14.?] (Vatable, etc.) --- The miracle wrought by his relics (Haydock) shewed that he was a true prophet. (Worthington)
Sirach 48:15 In his life he did great wonders, and in death he wrought miracles.
Sirach 48:16 For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins, till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.
Sirach 48:17 And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David.
Sirach 48:18 Some of these did that which pleased God: but others committed many sins.
Sirach 48:19 Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.

Thereof. From Gehon, a fountain on the west, 2 Paralipomenon 32:30. (Calmet)
Sirach 48:20 *In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.

4 Kings 18:13. 		Lifted. Greek, "removed from Lachis, and, "etc., 4 Kings xviii., etc.
Sirach 48:21 Then their hearts and hands trembled: and they were in pain as women in travail.
Sirach 48:22 And they called upon the Lord, who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.
Sirach 48:23 He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.

He was. Greek, "and he purified (Haydock; or redeemed, Calmet) them by the hand (ministry) of Isaias. (24.) He," etc. (Haydock) --- Prayer prevailed when troops were insufficient, 4 Kings xix. (Worthington)
Sirach 48:24 *He overthrew the army of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord destroyed them.

4 Kings 19:35.; Tobias 1:21.; Isaias 37:36.; 1 Machabees 7:41.; 2 Machabees 8:19.
Sirach 48:25 For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David, his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.

Sight. Greek, "vision." All his predictions were verified. (Calmet)
Sirach 48:26 *In his days the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.

4 Kings 20:11.; Isaias 38:8. 		Life. Fifteen years, Isaias xxxviii., and 4 Kings 40:11. (Haydock)
Sirach 48:27 With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.

At last. After the captivity, (Isaias 2:2.; Calmet) or in the days of the Messias. (Menochius)
Sirach 48:28 He shewed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things before they came.