DIDYMUS THE ALEXANDRIAN. THE SECOND PART OF HIS WORKS — EXEGETICAL. FRAGMENTS FROM THE CATENAE. ON GENESIS.
Ex Catena cui titulus: A Chain of fifty-one commentaries on the Octateuch and the Books of Kings, now first published by the request of the most pious and serene Prince of all Ungro-Wallachia, Lord Lord Gregory Alexander Ghica; edited by Nicephorus, hieromonk of the Theotokos. In Leipzig of Saxony, at the printing house of Breitkopf. In the year 1772.
A CAP. 1, vers. 14. *Dixit autem Deus: Fiant luminaria in firmamento coeli ut illuminetur terra et dividant diem ac noctem.*
Didymus.—Whence also the creation of the luminaries, which happened on the fourth day, is attributed to this fourth day on account of the greater utility and excellence belonging to them. For the Tetrad, being virtually a Decad, is held in the greatest honor; since the monad, the dyad, the triad, and the tetrad, when added together, produce the decad; and throughout the entire course of Scripture the decad is celebrated; for Moses gave ten commandments, and tithes are offered to the priests. And as God, having on the third day gathered the water which had previously been spread over the face of the whole earth, made from it the seas, rivers, and fountains; so also God, having on the fourth day gathered the light which was created in the beginning and had previously been spread about, made from it the sun, the moon, and the remaining stars. The sun, however, does not differ from the day. B
CAP. III, vers. 19. *Spinas et tribulos germinabit tibi, et comedes herbam terrae.*
Didymus.—For what evil does not follow from the nature of the body, which exists as a tinderbox for pleasures and troubles? For the Savior signified that these are the thorns which choke the seed, as he says, if anyone receiving it does not store it in the depth of the heart.
VERS. 25. *Et collocavit ante paradisum voluptatis cherubim et flammeum gladium atque versatilem ad custodiendam viam ligni vitae.* C
Didymus.—It is called a versatile (turning) sword, so that it may be signified that if a man turns from vice to virtue, this sword itself is also turned, now permitting entry. If, therefore, the desire to enter seizes anyone, he will have these as guides: the cherubim, hinting at the knowledge...