WISDOM OF JESUS, SON OF SIRACH jezils, son ov si'rak), (Gr. Yorkla via Yetpdx; Lat. Ecclesiasticus); (see APOCRYPHA), one of the books of the second canon (See DEU TERO-CANONICAL BOOKS), consists of a collection of moral sentences after the manner of the Prov erbs of Solomon (i-ix, xxiv, comp. with Prov. i-ix).
The work is arranged upon no systematic plan, but abounds in directions relating to religion and human conduct. Wisdom is represented here, as in Proverbs, as the source of human happiness, and the same views of human life, founded on the belief of a recompense, pervade the instruc tions of this book also, wherein, however, a more matured reflection is perceptible (De Wette's Einleitung). It is in fact the composition of a philosopher who had deeply studied the fortunes and manners of mankind, and did not hesitate to avail himself of the philosophy of older moralists (Prov. xii :8-xiii ; xv :1 I-20; xvi :26-xvii :20 ; XIS :6-17 ; XXIII :16-27 ; XYI :1-18 ; xxx :1-13 ; XXXYli : 27 ; xxxviii :15, 24-XXX1X :II ; etc.). It abounds in grace, wisdom, and spirit, although sometimes more particular in inculcating principles of polite ness than those of virtue (Cellerier, Introd. a la
Lecture des Liv. Saints). It is not unfrequently marked by considerable beauty and elegance of expression, occasionally rising to the sublimest heights of human eloquence (Christ. Renton brancer, vol. ix). If has been observed of it by Addison (see Horne's Introd., vol. iv) that 'it would be regarded by our modern wits as one of the most shining tracts of morality that are ex tant, if it appeared under the name of a Confucius or of any celebrated Grecian philosopher.' The original of the book was Hebrew. It is not easily determined, but according to the most prob able hypothesis the author lived B. C. 18o, and the translator, who was his grandson, B. C. 13o.
The author calls.himself Jesus, son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, but we know nothing further of him.
Allusions to this book have been supposed to be not unfrequently discernible in the New Testa ment. Compare, especially, Ecclus. xxxiii :i3 ; Rom. ix :2I ; 3:1:19 ; Luke xii :19, 20 ; V :I T; James i :19, etc.; xxiv :17, 18; Matt. xi :28, 29; John iv.i3, 14; vi :35, etc. W. W.