The Wisdom of Ben Sira (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries): 39 - Softcover

Skehan, Patrick W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0300139942 ISBN 13: 9780300139945

Publisher: Yale University Press, 1995

Synopsis

The Wisdom of Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus) contains the sayings of Ben Sira, arguably the last of Israel's wise men and its first scribe, whose world was defined and dominated by Greek ideas and ideals. This Hellenistic worldview challenged the adequacy of the religion passed down to 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 teaching 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 this title

About the Author

The late Patrick W. Skehan was Professor of Semitic Languages at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Alexander A. Di Lella, O.F.M., is the Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at the same university. He is also coauthor of the Anchor Bible Commentary The Book of Daniel, and contributed articles to The Anchor Bible Dictionary.

From the Back Cover

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300139942
• ISBN 13: 9780300139945
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 644