151 passages in Apocrypha & Pseudepigrapha
Individual passages from Ben Sira, shown in source order. Page 3 of 4.
He tells us, "He that feareth the Lord shall discern judgement; And shall bring forth counsels from twilight." (Ben Sira 32). Or, as another version puts it, "They that fear the Lo...
One wrong step, and BOOM. In chapter 33, he offers some pretty direct advice for staying safe and staying true. "Go not in a way set with snares," he warns us. Don't walk blindly i...
He says, "He that hateth the law shall not be wise; And he is moved as…tossed with tempest (?)." What happens when we disregard wisdom, when we turn away from the teachings that co...
Ben Sira, also known as Sirach or the Wisdom of Ben Sira (written around 200-175 BCE), isn't part of the Hebrew Bible canon for everyone, but it's considered part of the Apocrypha ...
This is a text from the Apocrypha, a collection of Jewish writings not included in the Hebrew Bible but considered sacred by some. Ben Sira tackles a question that's plagued humani...
Moments when we desperately need a little rahamim, mercy. He says, "Mercy from the Lord in time of affliction is as a cloud of rains in season of drought." for a second. A drought....
"Shake thy hand over the strange people; And let them see thy mighty acts." It's a powerful image, isn't it? A call for God to reveal His power to those outside the Israelite commu...
It pulls no punches in its call for humility and divine justice. Ben Sira, a sage writing in Hebrew around 200 BCE, gives us these powerful words: "Make an end of the head of the p...
He challenges us to be more mindful, more discerning, especially when it comes to the things that nourish us, body and soul. "Hear the prayer of thy servants," he says, almost as a...
That sense of, "Oof, maybe I shouldn't have had that third helping?" Turns out, ancient wisdom had something to say about that long, long ago. The Book of Ben Sira, a text from aro...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, offers a fascinating perspective. "From God a physician getteth wisdom," he tells us. It's a bold statement, isn't it? He’s not dismissing the hard work an...
Ben Sira isn’t part of the core Jewish biblical canon as we know it (the Tanakh), but it is considered part of the Apocrypha – important Jewish writings from the Second Temple peri...
It turns out, that feeling might be older than you think. " Ouch. It's a powerful statement, isn't it? It suggests a connection between our spiritual well-being and how we treat ou...
The Book of Ben Sira, a work of wisdom literature from the Second Temple period, offers some surprisingly direct advice about remembering the dead. It’s not what you might expect. ...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, gives us a glimpse into their lives. He reminds us that piety and significance aren't confined to kings and prophets. "He is busied with oxen, and leadeth ...
Chapter 44, a small but potent passage, is all about remembering those figures, those powerful personalities, who shaped the world we know. "Much honored portion of the Highest, an...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, grapples with this very question. He paints a picture of two groups of people, both part of the same community, yet destined for very different legacies. "...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, offers a clue: "Their wisdom the community will repeat, and their praises the assembly will recount." It's through the act of remembering, of telling and r...
Ben Sira, also known as Ecclesiasticus, is a book of wisdom literature, a treasure trove of insights into Jewish thought and practice, though it's not included in the Hebrew Bible'...
Our verse is simple, yet powerful: "And he brought from him a man, finding grace in the eyes of all life. Beloved by God and man, Moshe, remembered for good." First, "He brought fr...
Ben Sira chapter 45 gives us a glimpse, a whisper of what it meant for Moses and Aaron to be elevated by God. "And God honored him, and strengthened him in the heights." It begins ...
It wasn't just fabric and thread; it was a carefully constructed, divinely ordained manifestation of glory. Ben Sira, in his wisdom, gives us a glimpse into this splendor. He tells...
The book of Ben Sira, also known as Sirach or the Wisdom of Yeshua ben Sira, belongs to the Apocrypha, writings associated with the Hebrew Bible but not formally canonized in the J...
The Book of Ben Sira, a treasure trove of wisdom literature, gives us a glimpse into this very idea, specifically through the lens of the priesthood. It speaks of one called to "mi...
Sometimes, it's about being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, it's about something more.. something divinely ordained. The source looks at two figures who stepped in...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, reminds us of the immense task Aaron undertook. He says, "And who, in his nobility, his heart, atoned for the children of Israel." Aaron atoned. Think abou...
Yehoshua Ben Nun – Joshua, son of Nun – a figure who embodies that very idea. Ben Sira, in his wisdom, paints a vivid picture of Yehoshua. He calls him "a warrior, son of valor." N...
Ben Sira turns to Joshua Raised His Javelin Against the City. Ben Sira, in his wisdom, certainly did. He paints a picture of Joshua in chapter 46 that's nothing short of awe-inspir...
Our story comes from the wisdom of Ben Sira, also known as Ecclesiasticus, a book of wisdom literature. It’s part of the Jewish writings of the Second Temple period, writings that ...
Ben Sira celebrates those judges of old, "each man by his name, every one who didn't self-glorify; and didn't turn away from following God." Can you imagine a world where leaders a...
Ben Sira, in chapter 46 of his wisdom text, paints a vivid portrait of Samuel, a leader renowned for his unwavering faith and powerful connection to God. It's a portrait that reson...
Ben Sira turns to Death of David of Nathan. "And in the eyes of all life, and also after his death he expounded." Even after death, David continues to expound. What does this mean?...
Not just any David, but the David. The shepherd boy who became a king, the poet who penned psalms that still resonate today. Ben Sira, in chapter 47, paints a vibrant portrait of t...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, offers us a glimpse into the very heart of David's reign. "And he went against the Philistine foe, and to this day shattered their horn." It's a powerful i...
The Book of Ben Sira, a work of wisdom literature from around the 2nd century BCE, sings the praises of this legendary monarch. It tells us that after David, Solomon arose, a wise ...
A passage from Ben Sira, a book of wisdom literature, that grapples with just that, focusing on none other than King Solomon. The passage isn’t exactly flattering. It pulls no punc...
Ben Sira doesn't mince words, does he? He calls him "wide in stupidity and lacking in wisdom." Reḥov'am, was the son of King Solomon, a hard act to follow to begin with. But his po...
Or Eliyahu, as he's known in Hebrew. He wasn't exactly known for his gentle touch. Ben Sira, in chapter 48, paints a picture of a man of intense zeal. “And he shattered their staff...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, paints a vivid picture of this powerful figure. He writes, "Who was written truly for the time, to stop anger before the rage of God; to return the hearts ...
It's short, but it packs a punch. “In his life he did wonders, and in his death powerful deeds.” Who are we talking about here? Ben Sira doesn't explicitly say in this chapter, but...
This tale, found in the book of Ben Sira (Sirach), one of the Deuterocanonical books, really brings home the power of faith and righteous action in the face of overwhelming odds. S...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, points us to figures who possessed just such insight. He begins with someone who, "with a great spirit… saw the end, and comforted the mourners of Zion." W...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, shines a spotlight on this remarkable individual. The text sings of him as "Great one of his brethren, and glory of his people." Not a bad title. But what ...
The Book of Ben Sira, a work of wisdom literature from around the 2nd century BCE, sings the praises of a leader, likely a high priest, whose impact resonated deeply. But who was t...
Forget the sterile descriptions in history books. Ben Sira, in chapter 50 of his wisdom book, gives us a series of breathtaking images to help us do just that. He paints pictures w...
Ben Sira, in his wisdom, gives us a glimpse. He paints a picture, vibrant and alive, of Simon the High Priest at the altar. Can you see him? Receiving the sacrificial pieces from h...
Ben Sira captures a glimpse of just such a moment, a powerful scene of collective worship in the Temple. It: "All flesh together hasted, and fell down upon their faces to the earth...
Incense fills the air, music swells, and then Simon the High Priest appears. He's just completed the sacred service, and the sight is so breathtaking, so imbued with holiness, that...
