The Wisdom of Ben Sira: A New Translation With Notes: v. 39

Skehan, Patrick W.; Di Lella, Alexander A.

ISBN 10: 0385135173 / ISBN 13: 9780385135177

Published by Anchor Books, 1987

About this Item

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Wisdom of Ben Sira: A New Translation With Notes: v. 39
• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Publication Date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0385135173
• ISBN 13: 9780385135177
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

The Wisdom of Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus) contains the sayings of Ben Sira, arguably the last of Israel's wise men and its first professional scribe, whose world was defined and dominated by Greek ideas and ideals. This Hellenistic worldview challenged the adequacy of the religion passed down to the Palestinian Jews of the second century B.C.E. by their ancestors. Ben Sira's training in both Judaic and Hellenistic literary traditions prepared him to meet this challenge. He vigorously opposed any compromise of Jewish values; and his teachings bolstered the faith and confidence of his people.

Through its elegant poetry and vehement exhortations, The Wisdom of Ben Sira exposes the ill effects of sinful behavior on one's health, status, and spiritual and material well-being. Ben Sira's rigorous code of moral behavior was the measure of Jewish faithfulness in an era of ethical and religious bankruptcy.

About the Author

The late Patrick W. Skehan was Professor of Semitic Languages at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Alexander A. Di Lella is Professor of Biblical Studies at the same university. He is also coauthor of the Anchor Bible commentary The Book of Daniel.