CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA · D

Dives

Historical Article from The Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Encyclopedia

Historical Context

This article preserves the historical wording and context of the printed encyclopedia. Dates, statistics, terminology, disciplinary descriptions, and civic or ecclesiastical circumstances may reflect the period in which the article was published.

Article Text

(Latin for rich).

The word is not used in the Bible as a proper noun; but in the Middle Ages it came to be employed as the name of the rich man in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31. It has often been thought that in this lesson on the use of riches Christ spoke of real persons and events. The “House of Dives” is still pointed out in Jerusalem; but, of course, if such a house ever existed, it must have long since disappeared.

Source Record

Author
Reilly, Wendell
Publication
The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1909.
Nihil Obstat
Nihil Obstat. May 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor.
Imprimatur
Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.