Sirach

1. Background

· Written in Hebrew by Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach (50:27) probably 198-170BCE

· Translated into Greek in Egypt by grandson after 132BC

· Probably a scribe (38:34-39:11) who ran a school of instruction (51:23)

· Called Ecclesiasticus in Latin Vulgate

2. Concept of God

· compassionate and merciful (2:11); impartial (35:15)

· slow to anger (5:4)

· source of all things, good things and bad (11:14)

· Lord molds each as he pleases (33:13); but humans are responsible for their sins (15:15-20)

3. Concept of Israel

· Values the Law in a general way (9:15; 22:23; 42:2)

· God’s is sovereign over nations but elected Israel (17:17; 36:17)

· Sense that glory has not returned to the temple (36:18-20)

4. Concept of Sin/Salvation

· sin brings calamity

· it is possible not to sin “if you choose” (15:15)

· “atonement” can come from good works/keeping Law/ prayer/sacrifices (3:3,14; 3:30; 28:2; 35:1-5)

5. Eschatology

· no sense of afterlife (10:11; 14:16; 22:11; 30:17; 38:21; 40:11; 41:4)

· blessing/judgment happens in final moments of life, honor/shame on name and descendants (1:13; 2:3; 3:26; 7:36; 11:26-28; 18:24)

6. Ethic

· importance of caring for poor and oppressed (chap 4)

· women: 25:16-26:15; 36:26; 42:13-14

· parents/children: parents like masters (3:7); discipline/ beat children (7:23; 22:8; 30:1,13); daughters a worry (22:3; 42:9-14)

· slaves: 33:25-33; 42:5

7. Special Features

· earliest testimony to the 3-fold division of Old Testament: Law, Prophets, Others (prologue)

· focus on wisdom: chap 4; 6:18-37; chap 24

Ø Matt 11:28: Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Ø Sirach 6:26-28: “Come to her [wisdom] with all your soul…for at last you will find the rest she gives.

Ø Matt 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…”

Ø Sirach 6:30,33: “Her yoke is a golden ornament… If you love to listen you will gain knowledge…”

Ø Sirach 51:23: “Put your neck under her yoke... See with your own eyes that I have labored but little and found for myself much serenity.”

· Section near end recollects and praises important figures in the history of Israel (44:1-50:21)