Giovanni Stefano Menochio
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Stefano Menochio (1575 – 4 February 1655) was an Italian Jesuit biblical scholar.
, and entered the Society of Jesus on 25 May 1594. After the usual years of training and teaching the classics, he became professor of sacred scripture and then of moral theology at Milan; thereafter began his long life of superiorship. He was successively superior of Cremona, Milan, and Genoa, rector of the Roman College, provincial of the provinces of Milan and Rome, assistant of Italy, and admonitor
to the Fathers-General Caraffa and Piccolomini
. He died in Rome.
essay was a politico-Biblical study: Hieropoliticon, sive Institutiones Politicæ e Sacris Scripturis depromptæ, 956 pages (Lyon, 1625). This book on theocratic politics was dedicated to Cardinal Alessandro Orsini. A second edition (Cologne, 1826) was dedicated to Ferdinand III
. The Jesuit poet Sarbewski made this study the subject of an ode (see "Lyrica", II, n. 18).
The next year there appeared an economic study of the Bible: Institutiones Oeconomicæ ex Sacris Litteris depromptæ, 543 pages (Lyon, 1627). The author translated into Italian these lessons on the care of one's own household; this translation was a posthumous publication: Economia Christiana, 542 pages (Venice, 1656).
His magnum opus
was Brevis Explicatio Sensus Literalis Sacræ Scripturæ optimus quibusque Auctoribus per Epitomen Collecta, 3 vols., 115 pages, 449, 549+29 (Cologne, 1830). Many other editions of this commentary have been published in many lands: Cologne, 1659; Antwerp, 1679; Lyons, 1683, 1697, 1703; the revised edition of René-Joseph Tournemine
, S. J., published at Paris, 1719, 1721, 1731; Avignon, 1768; Ghent, 1829; the enlarged and revised edition of Francesco Antonio Zaccaria
, S. J., published at Venice, 1743, 1755, 1761.
The scholia of Menochio are introduced into the Bibla Magna and the Bibla Maxima of Jean de La Haye
; the Bibla Sacra of Lucas Brugensis; the Cursus Script. Sacr. of Migne
; fourteen editions of the Sainte Bible of Louis de Carrières
, S. J.; and La Sainte Bible of Claude-Joseph Drioux
(Paris, 1873).
A later critic, Simon, though not at all in sympathy with Menochio's orthodoxy, says "C'est un des plus judicieux scoliates que nous ayons tant sur le Vieux que sur le Nouveau Testament" (Hist. Crit. du N. T., xliv). Reusch
(Kirchenlexikon) prefers the notes of Menochio to those of Manuel de Sá
and Mariana.
This commentator sought to find the literal meaning of the Holy Writ in the Bible and the Fathers. Menochio studied the text in its original, and brought to bear upon that study knowledge of Jewish antiquities.
Life
Menochio was born at PaduaPadua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, and entered the Society of Jesus on 25 May 1594. After the usual years of training and teaching the classics, he became professor of sacred scripture and then of moral theology at Milan; thereafter began his long life of superiorship. He was successively superior of Cremona, Milan, and Genoa, rector of the Roman College, provincial of the provinces of Milan and Rome, assistant of Italy, and admonitor
Admonitor (Jesuits)
In the Society of Jesus an Admonitor is a confidential advisor to the Superior General, to a Provincial or to a Rector whose responsibility is to warn the General honestly and confidentially about what in him he thinks would be for the greater service and glory of God [Const. N°770]...
to the Fathers-General Caraffa and Piccolomini
Piccolomini
Piccolomini is the name of an Italian noble family, which was prominent in Siena from the beginning of the 13th century onwards. In 1220, Engelberto d'Ugo Piccolomini received the fief of Montertari in Val d'Orcia from the emperor Frederick II as a reward for services rendered...
. He died in Rome.
Works
His first exegeticalExegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical exegesis" is used...
essay was a politico-Biblical study: Hieropoliticon, sive Institutiones Politicæ e Sacris Scripturis depromptæ, 956 pages (Lyon, 1625). This book on theocratic politics was dedicated to Cardinal Alessandro Orsini. A second edition (Cologne, 1826) was dedicated to Ferdinand III
Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand III was Holy Roman Emperor from 15 February 1637 until his death, as well as King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria.-Life:...
. The Jesuit poet Sarbewski made this study the subject of an ode (see "Lyrica", II, n. 18).
The next year there appeared an economic study of the Bible: Institutiones Oeconomicæ ex Sacris Litteris depromptæ, 543 pages (Lyon, 1627). The author translated into Italian these lessons on the care of one's own household; this translation was a posthumous publication: Economia Christiana, 542 pages (Venice, 1656).
His magnum opus
Masterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship....
was Brevis Explicatio Sensus Literalis Sacræ Scripturæ optimus quibusque Auctoribus per Epitomen Collecta, 3 vols., 115 pages, 449, 549+29 (Cologne, 1830). Many other editions of this commentary have been published in many lands: Cologne, 1659; Antwerp, 1679; Lyons, 1683, 1697, 1703; the revised edition of René-Joseph Tournemine
René-Joseph Tournemine
René-Joseph de Tournemine was a French Jesuit theologian and philosopher. He founded the Mémoires de Trévoux, the Jesuit learned journal published from 1701 to 1767, and assailed Nicolas Malebranche with the charges of atheism and Spinozism.His Réflexions sur l'athéisme originated as a preface to...
, S. J., published at Paris, 1719, 1721, 1731; Avignon, 1768; Ghent, 1829; the enlarged and revised edition of Francesco Antonio Zaccaria
Francesco Antonio Zaccaria
Francesco Antonio Zaccaria was an Italian theologian, historian, and prolific writer.He joined the Austrian province of the Society of Jesus, in 18 October 1731. Zaccaria taught grammar and rhetoric at Gorz, and was ordained priest at Rome in 1740...
, S. J., published at Venice, 1743, 1755, 1761.
The scholia of Menochio are introduced into the Bibla Magna and the Bibla Maxima of Jean de La Haye
Jean de La Haye
Jean de La Haye was a French Franciscan preacher and Biblical scholar.-Life:He passed his boyhood in Spain and received the Franciscan habit in the province of St. Gabriel, of the Alcantarine Reform...
; the Bibla Sacra of Lucas Brugensis; the Cursus Script. Sacr. of Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
; fourteen editions of the Sainte Bible of Louis de Carrières
Louis de Carrières
Louis de Carrières was a French priest and Bible commentator.Carrières was born in the chateau de la Plesse in Avrille, Angers...
, S. J.; and La Sainte Bible of Claude-Joseph Drioux
Claude-Joseph Drioux
Abbé Claude-Joseph Drioux was a French priest, popular educator, cartographer, geographer, historian, and religious writer.Drioux was born 17 February 1820 at Bourdons, Haute-Marne. He was first priest, then professor at the seminary of Langres, vicaire général, finally chanoine.Drioux was the...
(Paris, 1873).
A later critic, Simon, though not at all in sympathy with Menochio's orthodoxy, says "C'est un des plus judicieux scoliates que nous ayons tant sur le Vieux que sur le Nouveau Testament" (Hist. Crit. du N. T., xliv). Reusch
Reusch
Reusch is a German manufacturer of sports equipment for football and Winter sports.- History :In 1934 Karl Reusch manufactures his first pair of gloves in the attic of his home. With great passion, love for details and the vision to create incomparable, innovative gloves of the highest possible...
(Kirchenlexikon) prefers the notes of Menochio to those of Manuel de Sá
Manuel de Sá
Manuel de Sá was a Portuguese Jesuit theologian and exegete.-History:...
and Mariana.
This commentator sought to find the literal meaning of the Holy Writ in the Bible and the Fathers. Menochio studied the text in its original, and brought to bear upon that study knowledge of Jewish antiquities.