Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsEzekiel 9
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Ezekiel 9 in the BibleOriginal Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Ezekiel 9 in the BibleOriginal Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Ezekiel 9:4
Sign Thau upon the foreheads.
[1] Most of the Hebrew Rabbins, as also the Septuagint, likewise Aquila, and Symmachus translate Thav, according to the signification of the Hebrew word, a sign: as if it were commanded only in general to set one sign or other, not any determinate certain sign or mark, on the foreheads of the men that mourn and lament upon the abominations, that are done in Jerusalem. [2] But as well some other Hebrew Rabbins, with the Chaldee Paraphrasis, as also Theodotion, and in manner all other ancient Latin Interpreters, whom S. Jerome followeth, translate as in the vulgate Edition, Signa Thau super frontes virorum gementium, &c. Sign Thau upon the foreheads of the men that mourn, &c. That is, mark their foreheads with Thav, the last Hebrew letter, which in the old Hebrew characters, used even to S. Jerome's time by the Samarians, hath the similitude and form of a Cross. So expressing a particular determinate sign; [3] as when the Angel slew the first-born of Ægypt, the Israelite's houses were distinctly marked with blood, sprinkled on the posts of their doors: mystically signifying our B. Saviour's most sacred blood to be shed for Redemption of mankind: so also this letter Thav bearing the form of a Cross, formed in the forehead of the mourners, signified the Cross, whereon Christ our Lord should die, and redeem us from sin. Which sign, as it was then prefigurative, and prophetical; so now it is representative, and commemorative of our Redemption made by our B. Saviour, on the holy Cross. That we may truly glory in Christ, and that with our great Apostle S. Paul, [4] in Christ Crucified. With great reason therefore hath the whole Church of Christ singularly esteemed, and continually used this holy Sign of the Cross in all Divine Mysteries, and godly works, even from the Apostles' time. Witnesses hereof are the ancient Fathers: S. Dionyse Ariopagite, Eccles. Hierarch. c. 2. reciting the sign of the Cross amongst other sacred Rites in administration of Baptism: who also c. 5. & 6. maketh like mention of the same sign in making Priests, and professing of Religious persons. Likewise S. Ireneus. li. 2. c. 42. describeth the form of the Cross. S. Justinus Martyr, Dialogo cum Tryphone, sheweth diverse figures in the old Testament of the Cross. Tertullian, Adversus Marcionem, testifieth that the Apostles, and all the faithful of Christ were signed in their foreheads with the sign of Thav, the last of the Hebrew letters, bearing the form of a Cross: the same (saith he) with the Greek letter, Tav, and our Latin T. Who further both in that place, and li. de corona militis, & li. de resurrect. carnis, testifieth the most frequent use of this holy sign of the Cross. After him S. Cyprian witnesseth the same in his time, Epist. ad Tybaritanos, li. ad Demetrianum, & li. 1. ca. 8. Testimoniorum advers. Iudæos. More especially, li. 2. c. 21. proveth by this place amongst other holy Scriptures, that in this sign of the Cross, is health to all that are signed therewith in the foreheads. S. Chrysostome. li. cont. Gentiles, Amongst other demonstrations, sheweth by the honour, [5] and daily use of the Cross, that Christ is God; because none but God could make a thing, which before was so execrable, to be now every-where so highly esteemed. And in his Homilies. 55. in Mat. 16. & 84. in Ioan. 19. and other places, witnesseth that in Baptism, in the most holy Eucharist, in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, & in all most excellent Mysteries, the Ensign of Victory, the sign of the Cross is ever present unto us: in all his discourse teaching, to glory not only in Christ crucified, but also to honour the sign of the Cross. And that who soever despiseth the sign of the Cross, despiseth indeed Christ Crucified. To omit others, S. Augustine recordeth, li. 1. Confess. c. 11. that himself when he was a child, and dangerously sick, was by his mother's pious care, signed with the sign of the Cross: and li. de catechizandis rudibus c. 20. teacheth that every one is to be signed in the forehead with the sign of the Cross, [6] and that all Christians are so signed. Also Tract, 118. in Ioan. What is the sign of Christ (saith he) which all know, but the Cross of Christ? Which sign unless it be adjoined, as well to the foreheads of them that believe in Christ, as to the water it-self wherewith they are regenerate, and to the chrism oil, wherewith they are anointed, as also to the Sacrifice, wherewith they are nourished; none of these things is rightly performed. Or will you have him to speak more plainly, or more generally? Ser. 101. de tempore: With the sign of the Cross (saith he) our Lord's body is consecrated, and all things, whatsoever are sanctified, are consecrated with the invocation of Christ's name in this sign. Who pleaseth to see more testimonies of ancient Fathers, may also read S. Basil, li. de Spiritu Sancto. S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechesi. 4. & 13. S. Ambrose, Orat. funebri de obitu Theodosij. S. Gregory. Epist. 126.
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The apparition also of this sign to Constantine the great, with this inscription: In Hoc Vinces, is most famous; written by Eusebius Cæsariensis li. 1. c. 22: & 23. de vita Constantini, and many others. The same sign also appeared in Jerusalem in the time of his son Constantius, as S. Cyril of Jerusalem testifieth in his Epistle to the same Emperor. And Nicephorus. li. 10. c. 2. Hist. Eccles writeth that the forms of Crosses, fell with the dew upon the garments of Iulian the Apostata, and of his followers. And many other histories, both ancient and modern make mention of the like apparitions.
But above all others, the most principal is to come: The sign of the Son of man; as our B. Saviour himself foretelleth, [1] which shall appear in the heaven at his coming to judge the whole world: his most proper Ensign the Cross; by which he conquered the devil, sin, death, and enemies of God and men. So all ancient Fathers undoubtedly understand his prediction. Mat. 24. Then will this sign appear to the great confusion of all unsigned miscreants, with other wicked enemies of the Cross, and Crucifix. [2] For then shall all the world, both men, and Angels see, what infinite charity, our most blessed Redeemer hath used for man's salvation; and how justly those that either do not believe, or not regard his so unspeakable mercy, shall be adjudged to everlasting damnation in the pit and fire of hell. [3] And on the other side, all those that are rightly signed in their foreheads, and have accordingly performed that, which in Baptism they promised, shall meet this saving Ensign, with incomparable comfort, joy, and gladness; who coming clothed in white robes, with palms of victory in their hands, shall then receive glorious crowns in eternal life.