Jesus ben Sirach
Jesus (Yeshua) ben Sirach was a Jewish scribe and wisdom teacher in Jerusalem around 200-175 BCE. He is one of the few apocryphal authors whose name we know with certainty. His grandson translated his Hebrew work into Greek in Alexandria around 132 BCE.
Historical Context
Ben Sirach wrote during the Hellenistic period, when Greek culture was spreading throughout the Jewish world. His wisdom book reflects traditional Jewish piety while engaging with Hellenistic philosophy, attempting to show that Jewish wisdom was superior.
Faith Under Attack
Persecution Faced
Ben Sirach lived during a time when Hellenistic (Greek) culture threatened to overwhelm traditional Jewish faith. Greek rulers promoted pagan worship, and many Jews were abandoning their ancestral religion. His writing was a defense of Jewish wisdom against Greek philosophy.
⚔️ Suffering & Sacrifice
While we don't know the details of Ben Sirach's death, he wrote during the buildup to the Maccabean crisis. Within decades of his death, the Seleucid king Antiochus IV would outlaw Judaism, desecrate the Temple, and massacre faithful Jews. Ben Sirach's grandson fled to Egypt as a refugee. The culture war Ben Sirach fought against soon became a war of extermination.
Key Teachings
- 1Wisdom is identified with the Torah
- 2Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
- 3Honor your parents and ancestors
- 4Almsgiving atones for sin
Bible Texts Referenced
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Explanation: Ben Sirach built upon Proverbs' wisdom tradition, extending and applying it to his own generation. His work shows deep familiarity with canonical wisdom literature.
Deuteronomy 6:5
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Explanation: Sirach emphasizes wholehearted devotion to God, echoing the Shema. His practical wisdom is rooted in Torah obedience.
Protestant Concerns
Sirach 3:30
“As water extinguishes a blazing fire, so almsgiving atones for sin.”
Issue: Protestants argue this contradicts the biblical teaching that only blood atonement (ultimately Christ's) can forgive sin (Hebrews 9:22).
Sirach 12:4-7
“Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner... Give to the good man, but do not help the sinner.”
Issue: Seems to contradict Jesus' teaching to love enemies and do good to all (Matthew 5:44).
Legacy
Sirach remains one of the most beloved wisdom books in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Its practical advice on family, friendship, and daily life has influenced Jewish and Christian ethics for over two millennia.