Ecclesiasticus

The central theme is stated at the outset (1:1): "All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him forever." The aim of the book is to teach the love of wisdom and the leading of a virtuous life based on the teachings of the Torah, with the emphasis on ethical conduct, good deeds, and moderation. It is divided into eight sections, each introduced by a poem praising wisdom, and concludes with eulogies of great figures of the Bible and Simeon the Just (ch. 44-50). It consists largely of poetic maxims in the style of the Book of Proverbs, touching all areas of ordinary life and dwelling on interpersonal relations, and was frequently quoted in early rabbinic literature. However, the sages insisted on its uncanonical status and even went so far as to ban it for its resemblance to certain Christian works and because certain maxims were held to be trivial (Sanh. 100b). The rabbis were concerned lest the book compete with Proverbs, considered a God-inspired work in contrast with the mundane wisdom of Ben Sira.

An apocryphal work, belonging to the Wisdom Literature, written by Jesus, the son of Sirach (Ben Sira) from Jerusalem (50:27). The book, composed in Hebrew, has been mainly preserved in Greek, Latin and Syriac translations. The discovery of ancient fragments of text in the Karaite Synagogue in Cairo and at Masada has permitted restoration of much of the Hebrew original. The work dates from the 2nd century B.C. Frequently quoted in the rabbinic literature of the first centuries A.D., Ecclesiasticus must have been an accepted "exterior book" in Judaism. It was included in the Septuagint from which it was incorporated in the Christian Bible.

The book is divided into eight sections, each prefaced with a poem in praise of wisdom. The author, Jesus son of Sirach, was a highly regarded person (39:4), who traveled widely (34:11; 39:4) and studied Torah intensively (39:1-3). The central theme of the whole book is that "All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him forever" (1:1). Wisdom cannot be obtained unless God grants it. The many facets of wisdom are praised as having been pre-existent (1:4; 24:8-9) and having dwelled on the whole earth wisdom is sent to settle in Israel (24:4-8).

Other subjects, directly linked with the theme of wisdom, are the fear of the Lord (1:11-2:18), Torah as the expression of God's wisdom for the people (24:23), liturgy (chap. 50), history of the Jewish people (17:11-14; chap. 24) and social behavior. Of the 51 chapters, the final seven are devoted to eulogies of great figures of the Bible. The author seeks to teach man the love of wisdom and, consequently, of a virtuous life based upon God's Torah.