Latin for rich Dives (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, XVI, 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. W. S. REILLY