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Ecclesiasticus. The Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sira. Existing Texts. Hebrew Qumran and Masada, Cairo Genizah, rabbinic Greek Uncials (short) ; minuscule 248 (longer) Latin Vetus Latina (1-43, 51) ; Vulgate (full) Syriac Peshitta (by Christian, based on Hebrew). Approximate Dates.
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Ecclesiasticus The Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sira
Existing Texts • Hebrew • Qumran and Masada, Cairo Genizah, rabbinic • Greek • Uncials (short) ; minuscule 248 (longer) • Latin • Vetus Latina (1-43, 51) ; Vulgate (full) • Syriac • Peshitta (by Christian, based on Hebrew)
Approximate Dates • 190 BCE Ben Sira’s Hebrew • 132 BCE Grandson’s translation into Greek • 50 BCE – 150 CE Revised Hebrew text • Probable source of Syriac • 150-200 CE Greek from Revised Hebrew • Possible source of Vetus Latina
Outline • Grandson’s Prologue • Other Prologue • Part One [Sir 1 – 24] • Part Two [Sir 25:1 – 42:14] • Works of the Lord [Sir 42:15 – 43:33] • Famous Men [Sir 44- 49] • Conclusion [Sir 50] • Appendices [Sir 51]
Siracides 1:1-42:14 • Composition and structure • Couplets and longer passages • Shift to new section [24:30-34] • Some subjects • Physicians [38:1-15] • Mortality and Immortality [14:11-19; 41:11-13] • Artisans and intellectual life [38:24-39:11] • Apocalyptic “addition” [36:1-“22”]
Wisdom in Siracides • Introduction [1:1-10] • Hebrew Bible background • Job 28:12-28 ; Proverbs 8:22-36 • Other scriptural passages • Baruch 3:9-4:4 ; 1 Enoch 42:1-3; John 1:1-14 • Sirach • Sirach 24:1-29
Sirach 42:15-43:33 The Works of the Lord • Similar Passages • Psalm 104; 1 Enoch 72-82; Job 36:24 – 39:30 • Concepts and images • Preservation (42:21ff); Pairs (42:24-25) • Modern use
Ben Sira 44-49 Praise of the Fathers Introduction [44:1-15] Pre-Abrahamic [44:(16,) 17] Abraham – Nehemiah [44:18 – 49:13] Mostly Pre-diluvian [49:14-16]
As Historical Sketch • Other wisdom literature • Wisdom of Solomon • Other biblical tradition • Psalm 78; Nehemiah 9; Acts 7; Avot 1 • Themes • human heroes; priests • Connection to next chapter?
Simon the high priest Building Vestments Sacrifices Blessing Nun danket Plea for unity Three peoples Colophon Conclusion
Appendices • Sirach 51:1-12 • Prayer of Jesus son of Sirach • Hebrew addition • Fourteen praises • Sirach 51:13-30 • Delight in wisdom