Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sirach

Deuterocanonical book that is also known as Ecclesiasticus (to be distinguished from the canonical book Ecclesiastes). The author is generally referred to as Jesus ben Sirach; however, in recently discovered Hebrew manuscripts, his name is given as Simon son of Jesus son of Eleazar ben Sirach. He was a Hebrew sage who lived in the beginning of the second century BC and who taught in Jerusalem (Ecclus 50:27; cf. 51:23ff.). The work bears the imprint of a man steeped in a tradition later known as Sadducean.

This work was valued highly by both Jews and Christians. The author was a scribe who wished to give his teachings a more permanent form, for which he utilized the canonical Proverbs as a model. His instruction adheres closely to Jewish orthodoxy. The book was probably written about 180 BC.