Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 9
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Genesis 9 in the BibleGenesis 9:4
Flesh with blood.
[1] Though this positive precept, of not eating blood, served well to make men more abhor man-slaughter (which is forbid by the law of nature, and the revenge thereof here and in other places severely threatened) yet it was specially given both immediately after the flood, and in the law of Moyses [2] (with many the like) to exercise men in obedience. And the same was renewed, for a time, by the Apostles [3], to appease a controversy in the primitive Church. For that the Jews converted to Christ, having been long accustomed to this observation, could not endure to see it broken by themselves or other Christians, and being no great burden for the Gentiles, it was decreed that all should keep it. And so peace was made. Nevertheless it was abolished when the cause ceased, as S. Augustin [4] declareth against Faustus the Manichee. Such is the authority of the Church to decree, and again to disannul an observation of a thing of it-self indifferent.
Genesis 9:21
Drunk.
[1] Noe sinned not, by the common judgement of ancient Fathers [2], in that he was overcome with wine, because he knew not the force thereof, having drunk only water all his life before. But this external rebuke and worldly disgrace happened to Noe, in figure of Christ naked on the Cross [3], as S. Cyprian Epist. 63 ad Coecilium, S. Augustin li. 16. de civit. c. 2. & li. 12. contra Faustum Manicheum. c. 23. & 24. Eucherius, Rupertus, and others upon this place do teach. [4] And likewise that Sem and Japheth were a figure of the Church consisting of Jews and Gentiles, and Cham of Heretics, and other Infidels, that deride the infirmities, which our Saviour sustained. Go to now (ye Manichees, saith S. Augustine) [5] object calumnies to the ancient holy Scriptures, do so, ye children of Cham, to whom naked flesh seemeth vile, by which yourselves were begotten. For neither could ye by any means have been called Christians, except Christ, as he was foretold by the Prophets, had come into the world, had drunk that cup of his vineyard, which could not pass from him, had slept in his passion as in drunkenness of folly (which is wise than men) and so the infirmity of mortal flesh (which is stronger than men) had become naked, by the secret counsel of God, which infirmity unless the Word Of God had taken upon him, the very name Christian, whereof ye also glory, had not been at all in the earth.
- 1 Noe sinned not in drunkenness.
- 2 S. Chrisost. ho. 29. S. Theo. q. 65. S. Am. c. 30. de Noe & Arca.
- 3 Noe a figure of Christ.
- 4 Sem & Japheth a figure of the Church, Cham of Infidels.
- 5 Li. 12. c. 24. cont. Faust.
Genesis 9:25
cursed be Chanaan.
[1] Why Chanaan the son is cursed, and not his father Cham, diverse yield diverse reasons. [2] S. Theodoretus reporteth out of the Hebrew Doctors, that Chanaan a boy first saw his grand-father's nakedness, and told the same to his father, and so they both derided that they should have covered, Cham's other sons not offending: and therefore not his whole progeny but only Chanaan & his posterity were here cursed by Noe. [3] S. Chrysostome supposeth that for so much as God had blessed Noe & his three sons coming forth of the Ark, he could not presume to curse any of those, whom God had blessed, therefore cursed Chanaan who in wickedness was like to his father. S. Gregory bringeth this for example of wicked men, escaping punishment in this life, and are punished in the next, and in their posterity following their vices [4]. What meaneth it (saith he) [5] that Cham sinning, Chanaan his son had sentence of revenge, but that the sins of the reprobate prosper here in this life unrevenged, and are punished afterwards? And clear it is that Chanaan's most wicked posterity were subdued in the end, and most of them destroyed by the children of Israel [6] (who were of Sem) under the conduct of Josue, according to Noe's prophetical blessing of Sem, and cursing of Chanaan.
- 1 Why Chanaan is cursed rather than Cham.
- 2 q. 57. in Gen.
- 3 ho. 29.
- 4 Sins punished in the posterity.
- 5 Li. 25. Moral. c. 18.
- 6 The effect of blessing and cursing.
Genesis 9:27
God enlarge.
[1] This blessing of Japheth was [2] literally fulfilled, when (according to his name, which signifieth latitude or enlargement) his plentiful issue possessed most ample countries, both in the Continent and Islands. [3] But mystically it had effect (as S. Hierom, S. Augustine, Rupertus, and others expound it) when the Apostles, being Jews of the race of Sem, first builded the Christian Church, wherein the most part of that nation refused to dwell, contemning Christ's Gospel & grace, and the fullness of Gentiles entered in, and were made inheriters. Finally, Chanaan is servant to both Sem and Japhet, in that Heretics being under the Jurisdiction of the Church, gathered of Jews and Gentiles, [4] [5] serve to stir up Catholics' diligence to more exact knowledge of all truth; and their patience to more merit and glory.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Genesis 9:3
All that moveth.
[1] [2] S. Justinus Martyr, S. Chrysostom, and other ancient Doctors prove, that flesh was lawful to be eaten before the flood: but being not necessary, because men were stronger, and other things also of more force, the better sort which were of Seth's race abstained from it. But after the flood flesh being more necessary, God altereth that custom of abstinence, with this limitation and commandment, that they shall not eat blood.