(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.
APA citation. (1909). Dives. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05048a.htm
MLA citation. "Dives." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05048a.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Christine J. Murray. Dedicated to Greg Takacs.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. May 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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