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.
Renarp in Via., Dict. de la Bible, s. v. Lazare; Commentaries on this passage of St. Luke.
W. S. Reilly.