The Book of Sirach, also known as the Wisdom of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus, is a wisdom book found in the collection of writings known as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books of the Bible. It was written by a Jewish scribe named Yeshua ben Sira who lived in Jerusalem during the second century BC. Though not part of the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Sirach was included in early Greek and Latin translations of the Old Testament and has remained part of the Bible for Catholic and Orthodox Christians.
The Book of Sirach contains a collection of ethical teachings, practical wisdom, and moral exhortations. It covers topics such as the proper use of speech, fidelity to the law, flawed human nature, the value of self-discipline, controlling the passions, the nature of wisdom, friendship, poverty and wealth, and one’s duty to parents. Running throughout the book is an emphasis on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. The author frequently appeals to nature and everyday life to illustrate lessons about virtue, vice, and the just ordering of society.
Some key themes in Sirach include:
- Practical wisdom for daily living
- Caution and moderation in all things
- The value of education and discipline
- The importance of honoring parents
- Warnings against different vices like greed, gluttony, adultery
- Praise for the virtues of humility, charity, justice
- Reflections on friendship, business, wealth and poverty
- Observations about the natural world
- Exhortations to fear God and keep His commandments
While the book contains timeless moral instruction, it also addresses concrete issues faced by Jews living under foreign domination during the Second Temple period. The author expresses frustrations with corruption among public officials and the wealthy elite. He grapples with theodicy and why evil sometimes prospers while the righteous suffer. And he urges fidelity to Jewish traditions at a time when Greek cultural imperialism threatened the distinctiveness of Jewish life.
Some important passages in Sirach include:
- The hymn to wisdom (chapters 1, 24)
- A meditation on death (chapter 41)
- The superiority of the poor but wise man to the rich fool (chapter 13)
- Rules for proper speech and avoiding gossip (chapters 19, 28)
- The discipline of accepting affliction (chapter 2)
- A reflection on true and false friendship (chapter 6)
- Advice about relating to women (chapter 9)
- Thoughts on the uncertainty of life (chapter 11)
- A mini-history of famous OT characters (chapters 44-50)
Some distinctive features of Sirach include:
- Learned wisdom directed at young men pursuing education
- Very practical and concrete ethical instruction
- Not systematic, but a loose collection of wise sayings
- Emphasis on moderation, prudence, diligence
- Extensive use of nature imagery and analogies
- Literary connection to Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom of Solomon
While the book is considered Apocryphal by Protestants, it has been valued by Jews and Christians alike for its moral insights and connection to wisdom traditions in the ancient Near East. Catholics in particular see the book as retaining an authority and sacred character as inspired Scripture. The book remains an edifying read today, though some content reflects outdated gender roles and the experience of living under foreign domination before the time of Christ.
In summary, the Book of Sirach is an Apocryphal Jewish wisdom book offering practical advice about virtue, vice, and living prudently in light of biblical principles. It calls people to fear the Lord, practice self-discipline, value wisdom and education, care for the poor, moderate their conduct, and remain faithful to God’s law. For instructions relevant to daily life and reflections on friendship, wealth, death, and suffering, the Book of Sirach has much to offer.
The Book of Sirach contains 51 chapters divided as follows:
Chapters 1-23
Chapters 1-23 focus on practical wisdom and moral instruction. Key themes include:
- Serving the Lord with one’s whole heart (1:1-30)
- The discipline of accepting trials and afflictions (2:1-17)
- Honoring parents and seeking wisdom (3:1-31)
- Sincerity, moderation and prudence (4:1-31)
- Wealth, speech, friends and counsel (5:1-15)
- True and false friendship (6:1-17)
- Warnings against deceit, gossip and hypocrisy (6:20-37)
- Avoiding evil company (7:1-36)
- Caution in relating to rulers and women (8:1-9:16)
- God’s sovereignty and the fate of the proud (10:1-31)
Additional topics covered include:
- The uncertainty of life (11:1-28)
- True vs. false wisdom (19:13-30)
- Moderation in eating, drinking, wealth (18:30-19:3)
- Guarding one’s tongue and avoiding strife (19:4-17)
- Self-discipline, vigilance and fear of the Lord (18:1-29)
- Reproof, forgiveness and charity (20:1-22:26)
- Meditation on death and fleeting life (41:1-42:14)
Chapters 24-43
Chapters 24-43 continue the book’s moral instruction and reflections on wisdom. Key sections include:
- The famous hymn praising wisdom (chapters 24)
- A mini-history of famous OT characters (chapters 44-50)
- A meditation on death and fleeting life (chapter 41)
- Reflections on friendship, wealth, speech, envy (chapters 6-14)
- Advice about relating to women and wives (chapters 25-26)
- Warnings against different vices like greed, gluttony (chapter 23, 31)
- The superiority of the wise poor man (chapter 13)
- Instructions for slaves, children and correction (chapters 30, 33)
Woven throughout these chapters are wisdom sayings on a wide range of topics relevant to daily living.
Chapters 44-51
The final chapters of Sirach offer a recapitulation and conclusion:
- Chapters 44-50 contain a mini-history of famous OT characters used to illustrate the blessings of wisdom.
- Chapter 51 provides a conclusion summarizing the book’s purpose.
Key figures profiled include Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons. There is particular focus on the praises of the high priests like Aaron and Simon. The author appeals to these great forebears as spiritual models who embodied wisdom in their reverence for God.
In the concluding chapter, the author identifies himself as Yeshua ben Sira of Jerusalem. He recounts his studious labor in compiling these sayings from a young age. His goal was to impart wisdom that leads to obedience of God’s law. He invites others to study the book diligently and put its teachings into practice.
Some key lessons on wisdom offered in Sirach include:
- Wisdom originates from the Lord and is revealed in creation (1:1-10).
- Wisdom is found through fearing the Lord and obeying His Law (15:1, 19:20).
- Studying Torah provides moral discernment and instruction in wisdom (24:23-34).
- The wise person disciplines their speech, temper, diet and pursuits (5:11, 18:30-19:3).
- Wisdom is proven through one’s conduct, character and how one engages life’s trials (2:1-6, 4:17-31).
For the author of Sirach, wisdom is much more than knowledge alone. It is reverence for the Lord demonstrated through obedience to Scripture and leading an upright, moderate life. Wisdom entails both proper belief and moral living. It shapes one’s disposition and character in relating to God, neighbors, trials and daily affairs. Sirach calls readers to wholeheartedly pursue wisdom as the antidote to sin and way of blessing.
In summary, the Book of Sirach offers extensive practical advice and wisdom sayings aimed at forming young Jewish men in virtue, piety and righteous living. Its teachings on friendship, wealth, self-discipline, speech, suffering and vice continue to resonate. While not part of the Protestant canon, the book has long been valued for its insights into wise daily living in light of God’s law and purposes.