Bible Study?20250225 Sir 40:1-30
Bible Study?20250225 Sir 40:1-30
Book of Wisdom of Yeshua Ben Sirach (Ben Sira)
#BibleStudy #Amen #Love #Christian #VictoryinJesus
??New American Bible, Revised Edition. (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Sir 1
??CHAPTER 40
Joys and Miseries of Life
1?A great anxiety has God allotted,*
and a heavy yoke, to the children of Adam,a
From the day they leave their mother’s womb
until the day they return to the mother of all the living.*
2?Troubled thoughts and fear of heart are theirs
and anxious foreboding until death.
3?Whether one sits on a lofty throne
or grovels in dust and ashes,
4?Whether one wears a splendid crown
or is clothed in the coarsest of garments—
5?There is wrath and envy, trouble and dread,
terror of death, fury and strife.
Even when one lies on his bed to rest,
his cares disturb his sleep at night.
6?So short is his rest it seems like none,
till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day,
Troubled by the visions of his mind,
like a fugitive fleeing from the pursuer.
7?As he reaches safety, he wakes up,
astonished that there was nothing to fear.
8?To all flesh, human being and beast,
but for sinners seven times more,
9?Come plague and bloodshed, fiery heat and drought,
plunder and ruin, famine and death.b
10?For the wicked evil was created,
and because of them destruction hastens.
11?All that is of earth returns to earth,
and what is from above returns above.*
12?All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out,
but loyalty remains forever.
13?Wealth from injustice is like a flooding wadi,
like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder,
14?Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones,
but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end.c
15?The offshoot of violence will not flourish,
for the root of the godless is on sheer rock.
16?They are like reeds on riverbanks,
withered before all other plants;
17?But goodness, like eternity, will never be cut off,
and righteousness endures forever.
18?Wealth or wages can make life sweet,*
but better than either, finding a treasure.
19?A child or a city will preserve one’s name,
but better than either, finding wisdom.
Cattle and orchards make a person flourish;
but better than either, a devoted wife.d
20?Wine and strong drink delight the soul,
but better than either, love of friends.e
21?Flute and harp offer sweet melody,
but better than either, a pure tongue.
22?Grace and beauty delight the eye,
but better than either, the produce of the field.
23?A friend and a neighbor are timely guides,
but better than either, a sensible wife.
24?Relatives and helpers for times of stress;
but better than either, charity that rescues.
25?Gold and silver make one’s way secure,
but better than either, sound judgment.
26?Wealth and vigor make the heart exult,
but better than either, fear of God.
In the fear of the Lord there is no want;
whoever has it need seek no other support.
27?The fear of God is a paradise of blessings;
its canopy is over all that is glorious.f
28?My son, do not live the life of a beggar;*
better to die than to beg.
29?When one has to look to a stranger’s table,
life is not worth living.
The delicacies offered bring revulsion of spirit,
and to the intelligent, inward torture.g
30?In the mouth of the shameless begging is sweet,
but within him it burns like fire. 1
? The former idyllic description of the universe is contrasted with the picture of the evils afflicting humanity. Every person, high or low, is burdened from birth to death with fears, anxieties, and troubles, by day and often by night, the time appointed for rest (vv. 1–7). For sinners, the suffering is much greater (vv. 8–10). What they gained by violence and injustice is quickly destroyed; but righteousness will prevail (vv. 14–17).
a?a Gn 3:17–19; Jb 7:1; 14:1–2; Eccl 2:23.
? Mother of all the living: the earth from which human beings were taken. Cf. Gn 2:7; 3:19–20; Jb 1:21; Ps 139:15.
b?b Sir 39:28–31.
? All that is of earth … returns above: a reference to bodily mortality and to the divine origin of life. Cf. 41:10; Gn 2:7; 3:19; Jb 34:14–15; Ps 104:29–30; 146:4; Eccl 12:7. The Greek and the Latin render the second half of the verse: “all waters shall return to the sea.”
c?c Sir 23:25–26; Wis 4:3–6.
? Of the many treasures making life sweet, such as children, friends, music, vigor, the best are called true married love, wisdom, and above all, fear of God; cf. 25:6–11.
e?e Ps 104:15.
f?f Is 4:5–6.
? Among the Jews, begging was considered degrading to human dignity; it was agreeable only to the shameless, who had lost their sense of honor. Cf. 29:22–23.
g?g Sir 29:24.
1?New American Bible, Revised Edition (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Sir 40.
Revelation From God
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Author
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The author of Sirach is self identified in Sirach 50:27 "Instruction in understanding and knowledge I have written in this book, Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach of Jerusalem, whose mind poured forth wisdom." But most know him by his common name as Ben Sira. His grandson transcribes the book from Hebrews to Greek.
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Date
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Sirach is believed to be oral tradition of more than 30 years that the Grandson son transcribes. The original work by Ben Sira is believed to be completed around 180BC and the Grandson completing the transcription around 132 BC.
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Structure
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Sirach is written in several literary forms including proverbs, hymns, prayers, and teaching narratives, (almost like a parable).?We must keep these in mind when reading through Sirach.
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We must also keep in mind that the text takes a gendered, heterosexual perspective regarding the acquisition and benefits of wisdom, which is feminine both in Hebrew (h.okma) and Greek (sophia). Sirach Sir 4:14?"Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her. Sir 4:15?Those who obey her will judge the nations, and all who listen to her will live secure." Both occupations described, the priest and judge, belong to men in second century Palestine. Wisdom is also the mother whom teaches her sons how to prosper (Clifford 326). We must keep in mind that Ben Sira views the Holy Spirit, (Wisdom) in a feminine manner, with all the attributes of a Female, Gal 5:22?But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23?gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Gal 5:24?Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:25?If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Rom 8:1-12 !!!! This is the goal of Ben Sira that we walk by the Spirit!!!!
Sir 40 whose sum is (4) YHWH the Church, YHWH Qahal, Ecclesia Eze 1:1-28, Eze 10:1-22, Eze 40:1-49, John 8:12, Joh 17:20-26 !!!! (40) is the product of (4) YHWH the Church, YHWH Qahal, Ecclesia 1 Pe 1:13-25, 1 Jn 3:11-24, 1 Jn 4:7-21, Rev 22:1-21 times (10) whose sum is (1) YHWH the Father, YHWH, Ge 1:1, Rev 22:13, ?and is the embodiment of the perfect fulfillment of the Law Mat 5:17-20, Rom 13:8-10, Christ Jesus in You 2 Co 5:17-21, Eph 4:1-32.?It has (1) pericope, (Theological Idea), YHWH the Father, YHWH Ab, Zec 14:9, John 17:20-26, Eph 3:14-21, 1 John 1:5, Rev 1:8, Rev 22:13 !!!! There are (30) verses whose sum is (3) YHWH The Holy Spirit, YHWH Ruach, Rom 2:10, Rom 8:14-15, Rom 15:13, 2 Co 1:22, Rev 22:17 !!!! (30) is the product of (3) YHWH The Holy Spirit, YHWH Ruach Wis 1:1-15, Wis 3:9, Wis 6:17-20, Wis 7:22-30, Wis 12:1, times (10) whose sum is (1) YHWH the Father, YHWH, Ge 1:1, Rev 22:13, ?and is the embodiment of the perfect fulfillment of the Law Mat 5:17-20, Rom 13:8-10, Christ Jesus in You 2 Co 5:17-21, Eph 4:1-32.?
Purpose
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The over all purpose of Sirach is to demonstrate to Jews and Gentiles that wisdom comes from God and not Athens or Jerusalem. God is the source of all wisdom and God gives wisdom to all whom seek it, Jews and Gentiles alike. Col1:9!!!
The purpose of Sir 40 is to teach all to seek YHWH, Ecc 3:11-22, So 6:1-13, Sir 1:1-30, Sir 40:26, Mat 7:7-8, John 7:17, with all our?hearts, souls, minds and strength, Ps 150:1-6, Sir 40:1-30, Mat 22:37, Mar 12:30, Luke 10:27, that You find eternal life Sir 35:25, Sir 40:11, John 3:09-18, John 3:36, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9-10, being (1) in the body of, YHWH Ab, YHWH Bane, YHWH Ruach, YHWH Qahal, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Church, Wis 12:1, Wis 15:11, Sir 40:11, Ezr 1:1-3, Neh 1:9-11, Eze 1:1-28, Eze 10:1-22, Eze 40:1-49!!!!
?Exegesis / Hermeneutical
Application
YHWH, teach me to fear You, to seek You, that i find eternal life in You. In YHWH Yeshua Holy and precious name I pray and I claim this petition Amen Amen Amen Amen !!!!
Conclusion
Sir 40 teaches all to seek YHWH, Ecc 3:11-22, So 6:1-13, Sir 1:1-30, Sir 40:26, Mat 7:7-8, John 7:17, with all our?hearts, souls, minds and strength, Ps 150:1-6, Sir 40:1-30, Mat 22:37, Mar 12:30, Luke 10:27, that You find eternal life Sir 35:25, Sir 40:11, John 3:09-18, John 3:36, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9-10, being (1) in the body of, YHWH Ab, YHWH Bane, YHWH Ruach, YHWH Qahal, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Church, Wis 12:1, Wis 15:11, Sir 40:11, Ezr 1:1-3, Neh 1:9-11, Eze 1:1-28, Eze 10:1-22, Eze 40:1-49!!!!
Bible Study Question
Have You found Eternal Life?
When you seek the Lord 2 Ch 15:12-15, PS 119:77-78, Ps 119:145-152, Ps 120:1-7, Ecc 3:11-22, So 6:1-13, Sir 1:1-30, Sir 40:26, Mat 7:7-8, John 7:17, with all Your heart, souls, minds and strength, Exo 20:1-7, 2 Ch15:12-15, Job 1:20-22, Ps 7:17, Ps 8:1-9, Ps 22:2-3, Ps 33:1-2, Ps 34:1-3, Ps 45:1-9, PS 57:1-11, Ps 66:1-20, Ps 67:1-7, Ps 68:1-35, Ps 71:1-24, Ps 72:17-19, Ps 75:1, Ps 79:13, Ps 84:4, Ps 87:7, Ps 89:52, Ps 92:1-15, Ps 96:1-13, Ps 98:1-9, Ps 100:1-5, Ps 103:1-22, Ps 105:1-45, Ps 108:1-5, Ps 112:1-10, Ps 113:1-9, Ps 116:14-19, Ps 117:1-2, Ps 118:1-4, Ps 119:57-64, Ps 119:169-175, Ps 124:1-8, Ps 134:1-3, Ps 135:1-21, Ps 146:1-10, Ps 147:1-20, Ps 148:1-14, Ps 149:1-5, Ps 150:1-6, Sir 40:1-30, Mat 22:37, Mar 12:30, Luke 10:27, You will be saved, Enoch 99:10, Esther 8:1-12, Esther 8:13-17, Job 13:15-16, Job 19:25-26, Ps 6:1-10, Ps 18:1-50, Ps 21:1-7, Ps 22:1-31, Ps 24:1-10, Ps 27:1-14, Ps 31:1-24, Ps 32:7, Ps 33:1-22, Ps 34:5-7, Ps 35:1-28, Ps 37:1-40, Ps 38:21-22, Ps 45:1-2, Ps 49:7-9, Ps 50:23, Ps 51:10-12, Ps 53:6, Ps 54:4, Ps 56:13, Ps 60:5, Ps 62:6-8, Ps 65:4, Ps 66:16-20, Ps 67:1-7, Ps 68:1-35, Ps 69:13-18, Ps 70:1, Ps 70:4-5, Ps 71:1-24, Ps 72:1-20, PS 74:12, Ps 75:9-10, Ps 78:68-72, Ps 80:1-19, Ps 89:1-52, Ps 94:1-23, Ps 98:1-9, Ps 108:6-8, PS 116:3-5, Ps 118:14-16, Ps 118:22-29, Ps 119:41-48, Ps 119:49-56, Ps 119:81-88, Ps 119:137-144, Ps 119:169-176, Ps 132:9-10, Ps 132:16, Ps 138:1-8, Ps 140:6-8, Ps 143:1-12, Ps 144:1-15, Ps 147:1-10, Ps 149:1-5, Prov 11:1-31, Prov 15:24, Prov 16:1-33, Prov 21:21, Prov 22:4, Prov 30:2-4, Wis 1:15, Wis 5:1-23, Wis 6:17-20, Wis 8:1-21, Wis 9:18, Wis 10:9, Wis 16:6-7, Sir 15:1-20, Sir 35:25, Sir 40:11, John 3:09-18, John 3:36, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9-10, you will be (1) in the body of, YHWH Ab, YHWH Bane, YHWH Ruach, YHWH Qahal, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Church, Gen 1:4-5, Gen 1:27-31, Gen 3:22, Exo 34:9, Exo 36:18, Lev 26:42-46, Lev 27:1-34, Deut 18:2, Deut 33:26-29,?Enoch 35:1, Enoch 36:1–4, Enoch 38:2, Enoch 38:4,Enoch 39:1–14, Enoch 40:1–10, Enoch 48:1, Enoch 70:1–4, Enoch 71:1–17, Enoch 83:10–11, Enoch 92:1–5, Enoch 105:1–2, Enoch 106:1–5, Enoch 108:1–15, Tobit 13:10-11, Tobit 13:16-17, Judith 14:10, Esther 10:1–13, 1 Mac 4:36-40, 2 Mac 2:9, Ps 2:12, Ps 15:1, Ps 45:1-17, Ps 46:1-11, Ps 48:1-14, Ps 65:4, Ps 69:35-36, Ps 74:2, Ps 84:1-12, Ps 122:9, Jos 13:1-33, 1 Sa18:1-5, 1 Ch 28:1-2, 2 Ch 3:1-17, 1 Ch 4:1-22, 2 Ch 5:1-14, 2 Ch 6:1-11, 2 Ch 30:6-9, 2 Ch 36:22-23, Job 1:6, Job 33:26-30, Job 38:1-41, Ps 16:5, Ps 24:7-10, Ps 26:8, Ps 27:1-14, Ps 34:15-22, Ps 56:9-13, Ps 61:3-4, Ps 62:6-8, Ps 68:22-26, Ps 82:1, Ps 85:4, Ps 87:1-7, Ps 90:1, Ps 91:1-2, Ps 92:12-13, Ps 94:22, Ps 114:1-2, Ps 119:161-168, Ps 125:1-2, Ps 126:1-6, Ps 132:1-18, Ps 133:1-3, Ps 141:8, Ps 142:7, Prov 20:27, Prov 21:21, Ecc 7:11-12, Ecc 12:7, Wis 2:23, Wis 4:1-2, Wis 12:1, Wis 15:11, Sir 40:11, Ezr 1:1-3, Neh 1:9-11, Eze 1:1-28, Eze 10:1-22, Eze 40:1-49, John 8:12, Joh 10:30-38, Joh 14:1-31. Joh 15:1-27, Joh 17:20-26, Rom 8:9-10, Rom 12:1-8, 1 Co 3:16, 1 Co 6:12-20, 1Co 12:1-31, 2 Co 5:17-21, 2 Co 6:14-18, Col 1:15-19, Eph 2:1-22, Eph 3:14-21, Eph 4:1-32, Gal 3:26-28, 1 Pe 1:13-25, 1 John 3:11-24, 1 Jn 4:7-21, Rev 22:1-21!!!!