This is the last of the Wisdom books of the Bible. It is also, unlike the others, one whose author we know. “Instruction in wisdom and knowledge has been committed in this book to Jesus son of Sira, son of Eleazar, of Jerusalem” (50:27). It is a relief to find one book at least which bears the name of its author.
The ancient title of Ecclesiasticus was The Wisdom of Jesus, Ben Sira. The word Ben (“son of”) is similar to the patronymic prefixes “Mac´and “Fitz” in Scottish and Irish surnames. In Greek, Sira is written as Sirach. Hence the work is sometimes given the title The Book of Sirach. But what about Ecclesiasticus? The word means “a Church book.” This Latin title appears for the first time in the writings of St Cyprian in the first half of the third century A.D. when the book was used a great deal by the Church in instructing catechumens. Since Ecclesiasticus along with the Book of Psalms is one of the principal sources of our liturgical readings, perhaps the title given by St. Cyprian fits it better than any other.
Ben Sira was born and brought up in Jerusalem. He was a highly respected scribe and teacher. A man of culture and of means, he travelled much during his lifetime. In his later years he conducted a school in Jerusalem where he instructed the youth in his own deep knowledge and love of the Scriptures as well as his own practical wisdom. He had great respect for the Temple, for its liturgical ceremonies, and for the sacred books. He weaves many biblical texts into certain passages of his own writings.
Scholars agree that Ecclesiasticus was written about 180. B.C.. Ben Sira’s grandson, who translated the book from Hebrew into Greek after 132 B.C., wrote a preface in which he tells us that he found the book in Egypt. He recognized its great importance for he, like his grandfather, was deeply concerned about the erosion of the religious and cultural heritage of Judaism in the face of a powerful and attractive Greek culture.
The author attempts to convince the Jews who lived in Palestine as well as those who lived abroad and well-disposed pagans that true wisdom was the heritage possessed by Judaism. He sets about this task in a philosophical way, developing at some length the type of wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs. He uses some short, pithy sayings as in that other literature. However, Ben Sira seems to be calling on his own personal notes and the fruit of his own extensive and penetrating observations of life. While being a work that is philosophical in tone, it does not have a logical pattern of development. Ben Sira writes like the authors of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. That he does a much better job of it is witnessed by the extensive use of this book in our liturgical readings.
As in other Wisdom books, Ben Sira praises wisdom as coming from God. This wisdom is rooted in fear of the Lord and it forms the youthful character while bringing happiness. Ben Sira does not understand human destiny and the problem of retribution any better than the authors of Job and Ecclesiastes. His original contribution is to identify wisdom with the Law of Moses. He links wisdom with the observance of the Law and he identifies observance of the Law with a very proper performance of religious duties especially in liturgical worship.
In his review of the great men of the past, Ben Sira holds in high esteem the priestly families. Aaron and Phinehas rank among the highest. He pays exceptional tribute to the High Priest Simon who died shortly after 200 .C. and whom he knew personally. Ben Sira himself is an outstanding example of the truly devout followers of Judaism who rallied for the defence of their faith against the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes as narrated in the Books of the Maccabees. He wrote on the eve of the Maccabean revolt. It is possible that he lived until the victory was assured and could thank God that his prayer was answered. His faith and his writings helped to preserve the integrity of Judaism upon which Christ would begin to build within a very few decades.
The Book of Ecclesiasticus is a long one, containing fifty-one chapters. There are many beautiful passages in this book of wisdom poetry. May we point out in particular Chapter 43:13-20 on the glory of God as shown in the wonders of Nature to serve as a strong encouragement to become familiar with its treasures.