Bible Study?20250310 Sir 51:1-30
Bible Study?20250310 Sir 51:1-30
Book of Wisdom of Yeshua Ben Sirach (Ben Sira)
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??New American Bible, Revised Edition. (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Sir 1
??CHAPTER 51
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
1?I give you thanks, Lord and King,*
I praise you, God my savior!
I declare your name, refuge of my life,a
2?because you have ransomed my life from death;
You held back my body from the pit,
and delivered my foot from the power of Sheol.b
You have preserved me from the scourge of the slanderous tongue,
and from the lips of those who went over to falsehood.
You were with me against those who rise up against me;
3?You have rescued me according to your abundant mercyc
From the snare of those who look for my downfall,
and from the power of those who seek my life.
From many dangers you have saved me,
4?from flames that beset me on every side,d
From the midst of fire till there was not a whiff of it,*
5?from the deep belly of Sheol,
From deceiving lips and painters of lies,
6?from the arrows of a treacherous tongue.
I was at the point of death,
my life was nearing the depths of Sheol;e
7?I turned every way, but there was no one to help;
I looked for support but there was none.f
8?Then I remembered the mercies of the Lord,
his acts of kindness through ages past;
For he saves those who take refuge in him,
and rescues them from every evil.
9?So I raised my voice from the grave;
from the gates of Sheol I cried for help.
10?I called out: Lord, you are my Father,
my champion, my savior!
Do not abandon me in time of trouble,
in the midst of storms and dangers.g
11?I will always praise your name
and remember you in prayer!
Then the Lord heard my voice,
and listened to my appeal.
12?He saved me from every evil
and preserved me in time of trouble.
For this reason I thank and praise him;
I bless the name of the Lord.*
Ben Sira’s Pursuit of Wisdom
13?* When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom.h
14?She came to me in her beauty,
and until the end I will cultivate her.
15?As the blossoms yielded to ripening grapes,
the heart’s joy,
My feet kept to the level path
because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
16?In the short time I paid heed,
I met with great instruction.
17?Since in this way I have profited,
I will give my Teacher grateful praise.
18?I resolved to tread her paths;
I have been jealous for the good and will not turn back.
19?I burned with desire for her,
never relenting.
I became preoccupied with her,
never weary of extolling her.
I spread out my hands to the heavens
and I came to know her secrets.
20?For her I purified my hands;
in cleanness I attained to her.
At first acquaintance with her, I gained understanding
such that I will never forsake her.i
21?My whole being was stirred to seek her;
therefore I have made her my prize possession.
22?The Lord has rewarded me with lips,
with a tongue for praising him.
23?Come aside to me, you untutored,
and take up lodging in the house of instruction;* j
24?How long will you deprive yourself of wisdom’s food,
how long endure such bitter thirst?
25?I open my mouth and speak of her:
gain wisdom for yourselves at no cost.k
26?Take her yoke upon your neck;
that your mind may receive her teaching.
For she is close to those who seek her,
and the one who is in earnest finds her.l
27?See for yourselves! I have labored only a little,
but have found much.
28?Acquire but a little instruction,
and you will win silver and gold through her.
29?May your soul rejoice in God’s mercy;
do not be ashamed to give him praise.
30?Work at your tasks in due season,
and in his own time God will give you your reward.m
? This chapter contains two appendixes: a prayer (vv. 1–12) and an autobiographical poem praising wisdom (vv. 13–30).
a?a Ps 138:1.
b?b Ps 91:3.
c?c Ps 56:10–12; 124:2.
d?d Ps 66:12.
? So complete is the deliverance from fire that even the smell of smoke cannot be detected. Cf. Dn 3:27.
? After this verse the Hebrew text gives the litany of praise contained below. It is similar to Ps 136. Though not found in any versions, and therefore of doubtful authenticity, the litany seems from internal evidence to go back to the time of Ben Sira.Give praise to the Lord, for he is good, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the God of glory, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the Guardian of Israel, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the creator of all things, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the redeemer of Israel, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to God who gathers the dispersed of Israel, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to God who builds the city and sanctuary, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to God who makes a horn sprout forth for the house of David, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to God who has chosen the sons of Zadok as priests, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the Shield of Abraham, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the Rock of Isaac, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the Mighty One of Jacob, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to God who has chosen Zion, for God’s love endures forever;Give praise to the King, the king of kings, for God’s love endures forever.He has lifted up the horn of his people! Let this be his praise from all the faithful,From Israel, the people near to him. Hallelujah! (Cf. Ps 148:14.)
? A Hebrew manuscript from Qumran demonstrates the acrostic style of vv. 13–20. This is an elegant twenty-three-line alphabetic acrostic hymn that describes Ben Sira’s relationship to wisdom: (a) his approach to wisdom through prayer, persistent study, and instruction (vv. 13–17); (b) his purification from sin, his enlightenment, and ardent desire to possess wisdom (vv. 18–22). Ben Sira concludes with an urgent invitation to his students to receive instruction in wisdom from him, and to live by it, because wisdom gives herself to those who seek her (vv. 23–26); and for their labor, God will reward them in his own time (vv. 27–30). Cf. Mt 11:28; Eccl 12:14.
h?h Sir 34:9–13; Prv 8:17.
i?i Prv 4:6.
? House of instruction: this may be a metaphor for Ben Sira’s teaching.
j?j Prv 8:5.
l?l Sir 6:26–28.
1?New American Bible, Revised Edition (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Sir 51.
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!!!!
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Sir 51 whose sum is (6) {(2) YHWH the Son, Christ Jesus, Yeshua Gen 1:3, Rev 22:1-5, times (3) YHWH, the Holy Spirit, Ruach Gen 1:2, Rev 22:17, which is Man, the (6th day), YHWH the Church, Qahal, Ecclesia, Gen 1:27-31}!!!! (51) is the product of is the product of (5) The Broken, Rom 3:23, Rev 2:5, The Fallen, Gen 1:4-5, Rev 12:4-9, The Lost, Mat 18:10-14, Joh 10:27-30, The Sinner, Gen 6:16, 1 Ti 1:8-9, The Unbelieving, Luk 15:1-32, John 3:18, 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, plus (1) YHWH the Father, YHWH Ab, Gen 1:1, 1 Sa 2:2, 1 Ki 18:39, 1 Ki 20:13, 1 Ki 20:28!!!! It has (1) pericope, (Theological Idea), YHWH the Father, YHWH Ab, Gen 1:1, 1 Sa 2:2, 1 Ki 18:39, 1 Ki 20:13, 1 Ki 20:28!!!! There are (30) verses whose sum is (3) YHWH The Holy Spirit, YHWH Ruach Prov 8:21-31, Prov 30:1-33, Wis 1:1-15, Wis 3:9, Wis 6:17-20, Wis 7:22-30!!!! (30) is the product of (5) The Broken, Rom 3:23, Rev 2:5, The Fallen, Gen 1:4-5, Rev 12:4-9, The Lost, Mat 18:10-14, Joh 10:27-30, The Sinner, Gen 6:16, 1 Ti 1:8-9, The Unbelieving, Luk 15:1-32, John 3:18 times (6) {(2) YHWH the Son, Christ Jesus, Yeshua Gen 1:3, Rev 22:1-5, times (3) YHWH, the Holy Spirit, Ruach Gen 1:2, Rev 22:17, which is Man, the (6th day), YHWH the Church, Qahal, Ecclesia, Gen 1:27-31}!!!!
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 51 is to teach man the (6th day), YHWH the Church, Qahal, Ecclesia, Gen 1:27-31 to praise YHWH, with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength, Sir 51:1-12, Mat 22:37, Mar 12:30, Luke 10:27, and to seek the Lord Sir 1:1-30, Sir 40:26, Sir 51:13-30, Mat 7:7-8, John 7:17, for it is He who gives You Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge in all manner of workmanship, Sir 38:24, Sir 39:5-9, Sir 51:13-30, Isa 11:2, Eze 37:14, Col 1:9!!!!
?Exegesis / Hermeneutical
Application
YHWH, thank you for being my Lord and Savior, thank You for redeeming me to be (1) in You and You being (1) in me that I may experience fully Your Theophilus and share Your Theophilus with the world. Continue to guide me, mold me and make me to be (1) in You. In YHWH Yeshua’s Holy and precious name I pray and I Claim this petition Amen Amen Amen Amen !!!!
Conclusion
Sir 51 teaches man the (6th day), YHWH the Church, Qahal, Ecclesia, Gen 1:27-31 to praise YHWH, with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength, Sir 51:1-12, Mat 22:37, Mar 12:30, Luke 10:27, and to seek the Lord Sir 1:1-30, Sir 40:26, Sir 51:13-30, Mat 7:7-8, John 7:17, for it is He gives You Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge in all manner of workmanship, Sir 38:24, Sir 39:5-9, Sir 51:13-30, Isa 11:2, Eze 37:14, Col 1:9!!!!
Bible Study Question
Do You Praise the Lord for Your Salvation and for filling You with His Fullness?
We all need to seek YHWH 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, Sir 51:13-30, Mat 7:7-8, John 7:17 and praise YHWH with all our hearts, 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, Sir 51:1-12, Mat 22:37, Mar 12:30, Luke 10:27, For it is YHWH whom saves us, 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, Sir 50:1-12, John 3:09-18, John 3:36, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9-10, and fills us with Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge in all manner of workmanship, Enoch 14:1–25, Enoch 16:1–4, Enoch 32:1–6, Enoch 33:1–4, Enoch 37:1–5, Enoch 48:1, Enoch 49:3, Enoch 61:8–9, Enoch 61:6–7, Enoch 80:1, Enoch 91:1, Enoch 101:8, Enoch 104:10–13, Enoch 105:1–2, Exo 31:3, Exo35:31, 1 Es 4:59-60, 2 Es 13:52-58, 2 Es 14:38-48, Judith 11:1-23, 2 Mac 2:9, Job 4:20-21, Job 11:4, Job 12:1-25, Job 28:1-28, Job 29:1-25, Job 32:1-22, Job 35:13-16, Job 38:1-41, Job 39:17, Ps 25:4-5, Ps 27:11, Ps 78:1-6, Ps 90:12, Prov 1:20-33, Prov 8:1-36, Prov 9:1-12, Prov 19:1-29, Ecc 2:1-26, Ecc 5:1-3, Ecc 7:11-12, Ecc 8:1-17, Wis 1:1-15, Wis 3:9, Wis 6:17-20, Wis 7:22-30, Wis 8:2-8, Wis 9:1-18, Sir 1:1, Sir 1:26-27, Sir 3:25, Sir 4:11-19, Sir 6:37, Sir 10:1-5, Sir 11:1-34, Sir 14:20-27, Sir 15:1-20, Sir 16:24-30, Sir 18:27-29, Sir 19:20, Sir 20:1-32, Sir 21:11-28, Sir 24:1-34, Sir 25:1-13, Sir 37:16-31, Sir 38:24, Sir 39:5-9, Sir 51:13-30, Isa 11:2, Eze 37:14, Col 1:9!!!!