Sirach : Christian Community Bible

Introduction to Sirach

Two centuries before Christ, Jesus, son of Sirach, wrote this book which is a synthesis of the traditions and teachings of the “sages.”

He was well-off and well educated and appears to have been the head of an important household with servants. He dealt with many people being involved with works and business which turned out well. In the end, this sage confessed that it was the sacred books which taught him the secret of success. In writing this book, he intended to share with others what he learned in the sacred books, and verified through his own experience.

He wrote a few years before the religious crisis related in the book of Maccabees. Many of his contemporaries to whom the Jewish religion seemed antiquated allowed themselves to be attracted by Greek culture. The author tried to offer a new presentation of the faith of Israel. In no other nation was there a wisdom superior to that of God’s people, because it was there, by divine decree, that Wisdom came to dwell. This book shows us how the Law of God leads people to a more human, more intelligent and more responsible personal and social life.

This book consists of two main parts:

1. Chapters 1–42 include seven series of maxims. Each one starts with the praise of wisdom. The poem on wisdom in chapter 24 is particularly interesting.
2. Chapters 43–51 begin by praising God whose wisdom shines in the order of the universe and continue with a description of God’s wise activity through the great people of the Old Testament.

NOTE: excerpted from the introductory material for this book.