[B-Greek] slightly OT

Polycarp66 at aol.com Polycarp66 at aol.com
Fri Jan 16 11:43:53 EST 2004


In a message dated 1/15/2004 7:24:43 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
jgibson000 at comcast.net writes:

> I wrote:
> 
> >Does anyone here know if there is an English translation of Eusebius'
> >_Exposition of the Psalms_ available online or in print?
> >
> 
> That should be _Commentary on the Psalms_ (Commentaria en Psalmos), not
> "Exposition of".
> 
> Apologies.
> 

________

Since you are interested in this, you have probably already checked the 
volume of the _Nicene and Postnicene Fathers_ (Second Series, vol 1) dealing with 
Eusebius.  On the chance that you have not done so or missed this, I am 
including a section which lists some editions of this work -- this is found on p. 40. 
 Although NPNF is somewhat old, it should be a starting-point.

Commentary on the Psalms (e?? t??? ?a?µ???). This commentary is extant entire 
as far as the 118the psalm, but from that point to the end only fragments of 
it have been preserved. It was first published in 1707, by Montfaucon, who, 
however, knew nothing of the fragments of the latter part of the work. These 
were discovered and published by Mai, in 1847 (Bibl. Nov. Patrum, IV. 65 sq.), 
and the entire extant work, including these fragments, is printed by Migne, 
Opera, V. and VI. 9–76. According to Lightfoot, notices of extant Syriac extracts 
from it are found in Wright’s Catal. Syr. mss. Brit. Mus. pp. 35 sq. and 125. 
Jerome (de vir. ill. 96 and Ep. ad Vigilantium, §2; Migne’s ed. Ep. 61) 
informs us that Eusebius of Vercellae translated this commentary into Latin, 
omitting the heretical passages. This version is no longer extant. The commentary had 
a high reputation among the Fathers, and justly so. It is distinguished for 
its learning, industry, and critical acumen. The Hexapla is used with great 
diligence, and the author frequently corrects the received LXX. text of his day 
upon the authority of one of the other versions. The work betrays an 
acquaintance with Hebrew, uncommon among the Fathers, but by no means extensive of 
exact. Eusebius devotes considerable attention to the historical relations of the 
Psalms, and exhibits an unusual degree of good judgment in their treatment, but 
the allegorical method of the school of Origen is conspicuous, and leads him 
into the mystical extravagances so common to patristic exegesis.

The work must have been written after the close of the persecution and the 
death of the persecutors (in Psal. XXXVI. 12). In another passage (in Psal. 
LXXXVII. 11) there seems to be a reference to the discovery of the site of the 
Holy Sepulchre and the erection of Constantine’s basilica upon it (see Vita 
Const. III. 28, 20, &c.). The basilica was dedicated in the year 335 (see above, p. 
24), and the site of the sepulchre was not discovered until the year 356, or 
later (see Lightfoot, p. 336). The commentary must have been written 
apparently after the basilica was begun, and probably after its completion. If so, it 
is to be placed among the very latest of Eusebius’ works.

Schaff, P. (1997). The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series Vol. I. 
Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise 
of Constantine.

gfsomsel



More information about the B-Greek mailing list