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Foreign Nations in the Wisdom of Ben Sira A Jewish Sage between Opposition and Assimilation

:	Marko Marttila
:	Foreign Nations in the Wisdom of Ben Sira A Jewish Sage between Opposition and Assimilation
:	Walter de Gruyter GmbH& Co.KG
:	9783110270112
:	Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature StudiesISSN
:	1
:	CHF 162.60
:

:	Christentum
:	English

:	297
:	Wasserzeichen/DRM
:	PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
:	PDF

< >The biblical concept of Israel as the Chosen People raises the difficult question about the fate of other nations. Earlier wisdom literature did not argue in national terms but in Ben Sira we have the first known sage who combined wisdom instructions and the history of his people. Ben Sira’s work gives valuable insight into the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the first quarter of the second century BCE. Ben Sira attempted to defend the religious and cultural heritage of the Jewish people in order to avoid assimilation, but at the same time he acknowledged wisdom traditions of other nations.

< >Marko Marttila, Unive sity of Helsinki, Finland.

	Preface	6
	Table of Contents	8
	1. Introduction	12
	1.1. The Historical Figure of Ben Sira	12
	1.2. The Book of Ben Sira	21
	1.3. Political Circumstances in Ben Sira’s Time	28
	1.4. Jerusalem in Ben Sira’s Time	31
	1.5. Ben Sira and Foreign Nations / Cultures: A Survey of Previous Research	36
	1.6. Research Aim	51
	2. Covenant with Mankind according to Sirach 17	53
	2.1. Introduction	53
	2.2. Translation and Textual Criticism of Sir 16:24–17:24	54
	2.3. Commentary on Sir 16:24–17:24	63
	2.4. Short Overview of the Covenant Theology of the Old Testament	80
	2.5. Conclusion	89
	3. Wisdom, Israel and Other Nations in Sirach 24	91
	3.1. Introduction	91
	3.2. Translation and Textual Criticism of Sir 24	93
	3.3. The Tradition-Historical Background of Sir 24	102
	3.4. Commentary on Sir 24:1–34	113
	3.5. The People of Israel and Other Nations in Sir 24	125
	3.6. Conclusion	128
	4. “Put the Nations in Fear of You” – The National Prayer in Sirach 36	130
	4.1. Introduction	130
	4.2. Translation and Textual Criticism of Sir 36:1–17	130
	4.3. Previous Research of the Passage	135
	4.4. Commentary on Sir 36:1–17	142
	4.5. Ben Sira’s View of Foreign Nations in Sir 36	165
	4.6. Conclusion	167
	5. Foreign Nations in Ben Sira’s “Laus Patrum” (Sir 44–50)	169
	5.1. Introduction	169
	5.2. The Beginning of “Laus Patrum” (Sir 44:1–15)	172
	5.3. From the Antediluvian Figures to Moses	175
	5.4. Phinehas in Sir 45:23–26	183
	5.5. From Joshua to David	193
	5.6. From Solomon to Ben Sira’s Own Time	200
	5.7. Excursus: Why Did Ben Sira Omit Ezra?	203
	5.7.1. Ben Sira’s anti-Levitical Bias	203
	5.7.2. Ben Sira’s Interest in People Who Built Something	205
	5.7.3. Ben Sira Was Unaware of Ezra Traditions	208
	5.7.4. Ben Sira’s Universalism versus Ezra’s Particularism	210
	5.7.5. Ben Sira’s Aversion to Reforms	212
	5.7.6. Ben Sira’s Pan-Aaronite Attitude	213
	5.7.7. Different Types of Scribes	216
	5.7.8. Ezra’s Political Quietism as a Reason for His Omission	216
	5.8. Three Foolish Folks in Sir 50:25–26	217
	5.9. Conclusion	226
	6. Ben Sira and Foreign Rule: an Analysis of Short Passages	228
	6.1. Sirach 4:15	228
	6.2. Sirach 8:2	229
	6.3. Sirach 10:1–5	230
	6.4. Sirach 10:8	231
	6.5. Sirach 10:14–18	232
	6.6. Sirach 16:6–10	233
	6.7. Sirach 39:23	234
	6.8. Conclusion	235
	7. Summary	236
	Bibliography	244
	Index of Modern Authors	278
	Index of Passages	284