The book of Ecclesiasticus, also known as Sirach or Ben Sira, is one of the books of the Apocrypha found in Catholic and Orthodox Christian Bibles. It is part of the Wisdom literature of the Bible, along with Proverbs, Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiasticus was likely written around 180-175 BC by a Jewish scribe named Yeshua ben Sira who lived in Jerusalem.
The book contains ethical teachings, practical wisdom, and moral exhortations. It covers topics like wisdom, justice, relationships, wealth, poverty, suffering, fear of the Lord, and how to live a virtuous life. The author frequently quotes and alludes to other biblical books like Proverbs, Job, Isaiah, and Psalms. The style and content are similar to Proverbs, leading some to call Ecclesiasticus “a late book of Proverbs.”
Some key themes in Ecclesiasticus:
– The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (1:14)
– Humility and the service of others brings honor (3:17-18)
– Be quick to listen and slow to answer (5:11)
– Do not repeat gossip or slander (5:14)
– Give graciously to the poor (7:10)
– Do not be quick to anger (10:18)
– Pride goes before destruction (10:13)
– The value of true and loyal friends (6:5-17)
– Moderation in eating, drinking, and pleasure (37:29-31)
– How to treat employees, children, spouses, and elders (chs. 7, 25, 30, 42)
The book provides practical advice for daily living according to biblical principles. It encourages virtue, condemns various vices, and repeatedly states that wisdom comes from obeying and fearing God. The author upholds traditional Jewish piety and observance of the Mosaic Law. He also praises the heroes of Israel’s past and the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as models of faith.
Ecclesiasticus covers similar themes as Proverbs, but has a more skeptical attitude about retribution theology – the idea that righteousness is always rewarded and wickedness punished in this life. The author recognizes that the righteous often suffer and the wicked sometimes prosper in the present age (8:5). Divine justice will be fulfilled, if not in this life, then in the age to come.
Here is an outline of the contents of the book:
I. The Prologue (1:1-10)
II. Praise of Wisdom (1:11-30)
III. Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord (chs. 1-6)
IV. Wisdom and Various Relationships (chs. 7-23)
V. Wisdom, Sin, and Repentance (chs. 24-30)
VI. Wisdom and Social Relationships (chs. 31-42)
VII. Praise of the Patriarchs (chs. 44-50)
VIII. The Epilogue (ch. 51)
Some important excerpts from Ecclesiasticus:
“Wisdom praises herself, and tells of her glory in the midst of her people. In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory: ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist. I dwelt in the highest heavens, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud'” (24:1-4).
“My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation” (2:1-5).
“My child, do not cheat the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting. Do not grieve the one who is hungry, or anger one in need. Do not add to the troubles of an angry mind, or delay giving to the needy. Do not reject a suppliant in distress, or turn your face away from the poor. Do not avert your eye from the needy, giving no one reason to curse you; for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you, their Creator will hear their prayer” (4:1-6).
“Those who fear the Lord will not disobey his words, and those who love him will keep his ways. Those who fear the Lord will seek his approval, and those who love him will be filled with the law. Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and will humble themselves before him” (2:15-17).
“To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; she is created with the faithful in the womb. She made among human beings an eternal foundation, and among their descendants she will abide faithfully. To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom; she inebriates mortals with her fruits; she fills their whole house with desirable goods, and their storehouses with her produce. The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish” (1:14-17).
Ecclesiasticus provides practical wisdom for daily living, dealing with topics like wealth and poverty, friendship, parenting, business, moderation, anger, pride, gossip, generosity to the poor, and how to relate to superiors and subordinates. For example:
“Help the poor for the commandment’s sake, and in their need do not send them away empty-handed. Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost. Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold” (29:9-11).
“Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’ for the Lord will surely avenge you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’ for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. Do not say, ‘His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins,’ for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners” (5:4-7).
“Those who love their children will have wounds to bandage; those who caress them will know heartache. Like an arrow lodged in a person’s thigh is a garrulous child. Bend the neck in youth and beat the sides while still an infant, or the child may grow stubborn and disobey you, to your grief. Discipline your children and work to form their character, or their disgraceful behavior will bring you sorrow” (30:7-13).
“Do not fall into the grip of passion, or you may be torn apart as by a bull. Your leaves will be devoured and your fruit destroyed, and you will be left like a withered tree. Evil passion destroys those who have it and makes them the laughingstock of their enemies” (6:2-4).
The teachings in Ecclesiasticus would have been familiar to a Jewish audience, echoing books like Proverbs. But for Christians, Ecclesiasticus provides valuable ethical instruction consistent with New Testament moral teachings. While not considered Scripture by Jews or Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox Christians have always held it as part of the biblical canon. Ecclesiasticus continues to be read for spiritual nourishment and practical guidance today.
Critical scholars debate the authorship and dating of Ecclesiasticus. The prologue states it was written by Yeshua (Jesus/Joshua) ben Sira of Jerusalem, but some scholars dispute this or give a later date in the 2nd century BC. However, there is no concrete evidence against accepting the traditional ascription and dating. The author probably belonged to the Hasidean movement of loyal, pious Jews during the reign of the Seleucid dynasty over Judea. Themes of suffering, persecution, and holding fast to Jewish traditions fit this historical context.
Ecclesiasticus was originally written in Hebrew but only survives in Greek and other translations like Syriac, Latin and Hebrew fragments found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. References to it are found in the Mishnah, Talmud, Dead Sea Scrolls, and early Christian writings, indicating it was respected by Jews and Christians alike. Ecclesiasticus was excluded from the Hebrew Bible canon but included in the Greek Septuagint used by Greek speaking Jews and early Christians.
The early church cited Ecclesiasticus as Scripture, but a later controversy over the Old Testament canon between Jews and Christians led Protestants to exclude it as part of the Apocrypha – biblical books accepted by Catholics but not by Jews or Protestants as inspired Scripture. However, Ecclesiasticus was still influential on many Protestant Reformers and remains treasured by Catholics and Orthodox today as Divinely inspired Scripture.
Here are some key passages illuminating biblical themes in Ecclesiasticus:
On wisdom, the fear of the Lord, and ethics:
“The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. For the beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abominations. Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities, and destroys them completely” (10:12-13).
“Wisdom teaches her children and gives help to those who seek her. Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her early will be filled with joy. Whoever holds her fast will obtain glory, and the Lord will bless the place she enters. Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her” (4:11-14).
On wealth, poverty, and generosity:
“Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake; because of his need do not send him away empty-handed. Lose your silver for the sake of a brother or a friend, and do not let it rust under a stone and be lost. Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold” (29:8-11).
“Be as a father to orphans, and instead of a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother” (4:10).
On true and false friendship:
“Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them” (6:14-16).
“Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. When you gain a friend, gain him through testing, and do not trust him hastily” (6:7-8).
On wise business practices:
“A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin” (26:29).
“A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; so the downfall of the wicked occurs speedily” (20:18).
“Do not go to law against a judge, for the decision will favor him because of his standing. Do not go traveling with the reckless, or they will be burdensome to you; for they will act as they please, and through their folly you will perish with them” (8:14-15).
On gossip, anger, pride, and other vices:
“Whoever repeats gossip loses friends; a sly person corrupts a trusting heart. If you hear a word against your friend, let it die within you, confident that it will not burst you” (19:8-10).
“The sinner adds sin, and in his wrongdoing is like a fire burning” (16:6).
“Pride was not created for human beings, or violent anger for those born of women” (10:18).
“Envy and anger shorten one’s life, and anxiety brings on premature old age” (30:24).
On timely and ill-timed speech:
“Do not babble in the assembly of elders nor repeat yourself when you pray. Do not try to match your strength with the strong, or your wealth with the wealthy. Do not keep talking when there is a time to be quiet, do not try to outtalk everyone” (32:3-4, 13).
“Say only what is necessary, for such talking is evil” (32:8).
“Be quick to hear, but deliberate in answering. If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth” (5:11-12).
On wise and foolish children:
“With three things I am delighted, for they are pleasing to the Lord and to human beings: harmony among relatives, friendship among neighbors, and a wife and a husband who live in harmony. But three kinds of people I hate, and their manner of life is reprehensible to me: a beggar who is proud, a rich person who is a liar, and an adulterous old person who lacks good sense” (25:1-3).
“Children who are brought up in a good life, conceal the lowly birth of their parents. Children who are disdainfully and boorishly haughty stain the nobility of their kindred” (22:3-4).
On right relations, moderation, and virtue:
“My child, perform your tasks with humility; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord” (3:17-18).
“Those who eat too greedily bring sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea. Many have died of gluttony, but the abstemious person prolongs life” (37:32-34).
“Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites. If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire, it will make you the laughingstock of your enemies” (18:30-31).
In summary, Ecclesiasticus is a book of ethical and practical wisdom writing that offers timeless spiritual guidance. Its teachings promote virtue, condemn vice, and encourage living by the commandments of God through wisdom, humility and fear of the Lord. Catholics and Orthodox Christians receive Ecclesiasticus as an inspired book of Scripture that continues to edify readers today, while Jews and Protestants acknowledge its wisdom even if disagreeing about canonicity. Ecclesiasticus endures as a treasury of moral exhortation, ethical instruction, practical advice for daily life, and theological truth grounded in reverence for God.