Trama e riassunto di Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach

A chi è rivolto

This book suits readers who love proverbs, quiet moral reflection and ancient voices that speak plainly about friendship, money, speech and family.

Che cos’è questo libro

Picture a teacher in Jerusalem more than two thousand years ago, seated with young men in a house of instruction. He tells them how to test a friend before trusting him, how to set a guard on the mouth, and why a good name outlasts gold. This is Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus.

The author was a scribe named Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach. He wrote in Hebrew in the early second century BCE, and his grandson later put the book into Greek in Egypt. It gathers poems, sayings, hymns and prayers on how to live. You will hear his teaching in eight steps.

Questions about Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach

What is the Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach about?

It is a collection of poems, sayings and prayers on how to live well. Topics include friendship, speech, money, family, pride, health, death and the fear of the Lord, with a closing hymn praising Israel's heroes.

Why is Ecclesiasticus not in most Protestant Bibles?

Protestant churches follow the Hebrew canon, which leaves it out, so they place it among the apocrypha. Catholic and Orthodox churches count it as deuterocanonical and keep it in the Old Testament.

Who wrote Ecclesiasticus and when?

Jesus ben Sirach, a Jerusalem scribe, wrote it in Hebrew most likely between 200 and 175 BCE. His grandson rendered it into Greek in Egypt around 132 BCE.

What is the Praise of the Fathers?

It is the long poem near the end that honours figures such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Elijah, and closes with Simon the high priest. It reads like a poetic tour of Israel's history.

Is Ecclesiasticus easy to read today?

Its short sayings and clear poems are easy to take in a few at a time. Topics are grouped loosely by theme, so you can open it almost anywhere and find a complete thought.