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

Marko Marttila

Published by De Gruyter 2012

Foreign Nations in the Wisdom of Ben Sira

A Jewish Sage between Opposition and Assimilation

Marko Marttila

Volume 13 in the series Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature Studies

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110270112

Overview
Contents

About this book

Ben Sira lived in an era when Hellenistic influences continued to spread in Palestine. The supreme political power was in the hands of foreign rulers. Under these circumstances it is no wonder that Ben Sira discusses the position of foreign nations in several passages. The tone varies due to the given context. This study demonstrates that Ben Sira’s relationship to foreign nations is best defined as “balanced”, as his attitude is neither thoroughly hostile nor that of uncritically embracing Gentiles. On the basis of certain passages, one can get the impression that even the foreigners could be recipients of the Torah. On the other hand, some nations were regarded by earlier biblical authors as archenemies of Israel, and these anti-elect people caused also Ben Sira’s anger to be provoked. Ben Sira was deeply rooted in Judaism but this did not prevent him from being open toward foreign influences as far as they were compatible with his religious and cultural heritage.

Author / Editor information

Marko Marttila, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Supplementary Materials

Contents

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	i
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	v
Table of Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Covenant with Mankind according to Sirach 17 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	42
3. Wisdom, Israel and Other Nations in Sirach 24 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	80
4. “Put the Nations in Fear of You” – The National Prayer in Sirach 36 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	119
5. Foreign Nations in Ben Sira's “Laus Patrum” (Sir 44-50) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	158
6. Ben Sira and Foreign Rule: an Analysis of Short Passages Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	217
7. Summary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	225
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	233
Index of Modern Authors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	267
Index of Passages Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	273

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Academics, Libraries, Institutes
Pages
- Front matter: 10
- Main content: 287
Keywords: Ben Sira; Apocrypha; Wisdom Literature; Jews and Gentiles; Hellenism

eBook

Published: January 27, 2012
ISBN: 9783110270112

Hardcover

Published: January 16, 2012
ISBN: 9783110270105