Some Exegetical Fragments of Hippolytus

“And my God helped you.” This indicates clearly that the aid and support of the Son came from no one else but our God and Father in heaven. And by the word “my God,” is meant that the Spirit speaks by Jacob.

EUSEBIUS: “The sinews of the arms.” He could not say, of “the hands” or “shoulders;”but since the broad central parts of the bow are termed “arms,” he says appropriately “arms.”

HIPPOLYTUS: “Blessings of the breasts and womb.” By this is meant that the true blessing from heaven is the Spirit descending through the Word upon flesh. And by “breasts and womb” he means the blessings of the Virgin. And by that of your father and your mother, he means also the blessing of the Father which we have received in the Church through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 44:27

“Benjamin is a ravening wolf; in the morning he shall devour still, and till evening he apportions food.”

HIPPOLYTUS: This thoroughly suits Paul, who was of the tribe of Benjamin. For when he was young, he was a ravening wolf; but when he believed, he “apportioned” food. This also is shown us by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the tribe of Benjamin is among the first persecutors, which is the sense of “in the morning.” For Saul, who was of the tribe of Benjamin, persecuted David, who was appointed to be a type of the Lord.