Sirach
Chapter 45
From Jacob’s descendants, the Lord brought forth an upright man who earned the favor of everyone and was loved by God and men—Moses. Blessed be his memory!
The Lord granted him glory equal to that of his holy angels and authority that struck terror in his enemies.
At Moses’ command, he stopped disaster; the Lord lifted him up in the sight of kings. He gave him commandments for his people and allowed him to catch a glimpse of his glory.
He chose him from among the living to become holy through faithfulness and humility.
God allowed him to hear his voice and led him into darkness, where face to face he gave him the commandments—the law of life and knowledge—to teach Jacob the Covenant and reveal his decrees to Israel.
He raised up Aaron, Moses’ brother, a holy man like Moses, from the tribe of Levi.
He established an eternal covenant with him and entrusted him with the priesthood of the people. He honored him by granting him majesty and clothing him with a glorious robe upon him.
His garments and ornaments were magnificent in their perfection—breeches, a cloak, and an ephod.
As a fringe to his vestment, he gave him pomegranates and many golden bells to tinkle as he walked and to be heard in the temple as a reminder to his people.
The Lord gave Aaron sacred garments of gold, blue, and purple, crafted by artists, the pectoral of judgment, the Urim and Thummim, and scarlet yarn spun by a craftsman;
precious stones with engravings set in gold, crafted by a jeweler, serving as a memorial with their engraved inscriptions of the tribes of Israel.
He gave him the turban with a golden diadem engraved with the words of his consecration, a stunning ornament, skillfully crafted and a pleasure to behold.
Such things had never been seen before Aaron’s time; no outsider ever wore them and never will, only his children and descendants.
His sacrifices were to be fully burned twice daily, forever.
It was Moses who consecrated and anointed him with holy oil. An eternal Covenant was made for him and his descendants, as long as the heavens last, to serve the Lord as his priests and bless the people in his name.
He chose him from among all the living to offer sacrifice to the Lord and sweet-smelling incense as a memorial, to make atonement for the people.
The Lord granted him authority to interpret his commandments and pronounce decisions, to teach Jacob the divine words and illuminate Israel with his law.
Outsiders conspired against him and envied him in the desert—Dathan, Abiram, their followers, and the supporters of Korah, all violent men full of hatred.
The Lord saw it and became angry; in his fury, he destroyed them. He performed wonders against them, consuming them in flames of fire.
He increased Aaron’s glory by giving him a heritage. He allotted the firstfruits to him, and in the beginning, bread in abundance.
Because their food is the sacrifice offered to the Lord, which he gave to Aaron and his descendants.
But he was not to inherit any land as his patrimony, nor any special portion to himself, for the Lord himself is his portion and inheritance.
Regarding Phinehas, son of Eleazar, he ranks third in glory because he was filled with zeal for the Lord’s fear when he stood boldly among a rebellious people, showing noble courage and making atonement for Israel.
As a result, a peace covenant was made with him, appointing him as the leader of the Sanctuary and his people. He and his descendants were to hold the high priesthood forever.
It’s different from the covenant made with David, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah, where kingship is passed only from father to son, but the heritage of Aaron passes to all his descendants.
May the Lord grant them wisdom of heart to judge his people with justice, so that their prosperity may not fade and their glory may endure through their descendants!
Commentaries
History.
The hymn of praise to the Creator and the subsequent expression of thanksgiving and admiration for the wonders of creation serve as an introduction to this extensive praise or exaltation of the key figures in Israel’s history. The goal is to demonstrate how God’s power and greatness, as revealed through creation, ultimately find expression in Israel’s long historical journey, from Enoch to Simon (or Simeon), the high priest whom Ben Sirach deeply respects and reveres.
First Ancestors.
The praise or commendation of Israel’s heroes begins with Enoch (16), who is said to have been taken up to heaven (Genesis 5:24); he is presented as an example of faith for all time because he dealt with God face to face. Noah (17) is seen as the earliest ancestor of the small “remnant of Israel,” because with him and his family, the people began to be born after the great destruction (cf. Gn 9:8-17). Several aspects of Abraham (19-21) are highlighted, especially his fulfillment of the Law of the Lord, which occurred before the Torah was written. Still, according to Jewish rabbinism, before the creation of the world, God Himself took pleasure in reading the Torah! God made a covenant with him, blessed him, and made him the father of many nations, also promising him a territory. Isaac (22), his father’s heir, receives his father’s blessing—the promise of numerous descendants—and the covenant and the promise of a territory. In Israel—Jacob—(23b), the covenant continues, and the blessing and promise of many descendants and a territory are reaffirmed, which was divided among the twelve tribes. From this, countless people descend. Moses (23c), whom the historian describes as the most beloved figure among all the people, is endowed by God with extraordinary gifts to lead His people.
Aaron and Phinehas.
No commentator claims that Ben Sirach is a priest. However, he shows great admiration and respect for this institution and for specific priestly figures, which is clear in the section dedicated to Aaron (6-22). This part not only highlights Aaron’s personal qualities but also outlines his priestly duties, setting the stage for the high praise he will later give to Simon, a priest during Ben Sira’s time.