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  • 14 - Ben Sira

  • from Part III - Wisdom Literature beyond the Hebrew Bible
  • Edited by Katherine J. Dell, University of Cambridge
  • Edited in association with Suzanna R. Millar, University of Edinburgh, Arthur Jan Keefer
  • Book:
    The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature
    Published online:
    28 July 2022
    Print publication:
    09 June 2022, pp 261-282

  • Summary

    Seth Bledsoe introduces the 2nd century BCE wisdom book of Ben Sira. While not forming part of the Tanakh or Protestant Old Testament, Ben Sira appears in the LXX and subsequently the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons. The book presents itself as the words of a well-educated scribe, and draws on both Jewish and Greek traditions. Central to the book is Wisdom, which is intimately connected to creation, fear of the Lord, Torah, and tradition. It also contains advice on practical matters, such as finance (it both respects wealth and advocates generosity) and relations with women (it is in places decided misogynistic). Although generally optimistic that good deeds will lead to positive consequences, Ben Sira also grapples with the problems of theodicy and death, concluding that righteous persons can live on through the legacy of a good name.