Sirach
Chapter 50
The High Priest Simon, son of Onias, repaired the Sanctuary and fortified the temple during his lifetime.
He laid the foundations for the tall double wall and the fortifications surrounding the temple.
During his days, a water reservoir, a cistern as large as a sea, was excavated.
Concerned that his people might perish, he fortified the city against a siege.
How magnificent he was, when, surrounded by his people, he emerged from the inner Sanctuary
like the morning star among the clouds, like the full moon,
like the sun shining on the Most High’s temple or a rainbow in the glory of clouds!
He was like a springtime rose, a lily beside a stream, a green shoot on a summer day,
or incense burning in a censer. He could be compared to a large, golden vase decorated with all kinds of precious stones,
to an olive tree heavy with fruit, or to a cypress reaching the clouds,
when, dressed in ceremonial robes and radiating splendor, he went to the sacred altar, filling the Sanctuary’s court with glory.
There, he would accept offerings from the priests’ hands as he stood by the altar’s hearth, surrounded by his brothers, like a young cedar on Lebanon.
It was as if he were encircled by palm trees when all the sons of Aaron, glowing with splendor and holding offerings for the Lord, stood before Israel’s assembly.
When he finished the service at the altar and nobly presented the offering to the Most High and Almighty,
he took the cup in his hand and poured out a libation of wine at the foot of the altar—a pleasing aroma to the Most High, King of the universe.
Then the sons of Aaron shouted; they blew their solid silver trumpets, creating a loud noise as a memorial before the Most High.
Suddenly, all the people bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the Lord, the Almighty and Most High God.
The choir also sang his praises, making beautiful music.
And the people prayed to the Most High and begged their merciful Lord until the ceremony ended and God’s service was complete.
The high priest then descended and raised his hands toward the entire assembly of Israel to loudly bless them and to have the honor of pronouncing his name.
Then, once again, the people bowed in worship to receive the blessing of the Most High:
“And now, praise the Lord of the universe, who everywhere does great things, exalting our days from birth and showing us mercy.
May he grant us happiness and peace to Israel now and forever!
May he continue to bless us and be our Savior in our days.”
Three Enemies
There are two nations I strongly dislike, and the third isn’t even a nation:
they are the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the Philistines, and the foolish people who live in Shechem.
Sending and Signature
Instruction in understanding and knowledge, that is what Jesus, the son of Sira, the son of Eleazar of Jerusalem, has written in this book, as he poured out the wisdom of his heart.
Blessed is the person who pays attention to this teaching and gains wisdom by embracing it.
By doing that, he will be strong in all circumstances, for the light of the Lord is his path.
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.
Praise of High Priest Simon.
The figure of High Priest Simon (or Simeon), who served in Jerusalem between 219 and 196 BC, deserves special mention by Ben Sirach. From what we can tell, Ben Sirach knew him, and some commentators believe he died shortly before Ben Sirach wrote his work. In any case, in Ben Sirach’s eyes, he was an important figure—the one who brought the most excellent brilliance and splendor to the priestly role and perhaps the one closest to the cultic and liturgical ideal. Simon significantly improved the modest temple, which had been rebuilt two or three centuries earlier. Overall, Simon left a lasting impact on Ben Sirach’s thoughts and feelings. Verses 22-24 serve as an invitation to conclude this long praise of Israel’s glorious men by glorifying God for his wonders and asking for wisdom, peace, and faithfulness forever.
Three Enemies.
This number-based proverb doesn’t really connect to anything in Israelite history unless the author included it to contrast what he values most: God’s glory reflected in Israel’s history and especially in a few men who lived according to His will. The three nations the author greatly despises are: the inhabitants of Seir (Edomites, descendants of Esau, “cousins” of the Israelites); the Philistines, or “sea peoples,” with whom relations have been hostile ever since the conquest; and “the foolish people who dwell in Shechem” (the Samaritans, brothers of the Israelites, who still harbor hatred for them due to historical reasons).
Sending and Signature.
Few books in the Old Testament bear the author’s signature, and this is one of those rare cases. The author states that this work is the result of effort, labor, and meditation, presenting it as a way to grow, gain wisdom, and ultimately achieve success by following the teachings here. The reason is that everything aligns with honoring the Lord, which is the path to a full life. The book itself ends here; what follows is considered three appendices.