Sirach - (New Collegeville Bible Commentary: Old Testament) by Jeremy Corley (Paperback)

About the Book

The book of Sirach praises the study of the law, the wisdom of the men of old and their prophecies. Its author is well-read and rearticulates traditional Jewish wisdom for his generation, centering it on fear of the Lord, and clearly asserting that wisdom is a gift from God. He encourages his audience to remain steadfast in following the law of Moses rather than following the ways of the dominant pagan Greek culture.

Book Synopsis

The book of Sirach praises the study of the law, the wisdom of the men of old and their prophecies. Its author is well-read and rearticulates traditional Jewish wisdom for his generation, centering it on fear of the Lord, and clearly asserting that wisdom is a gift from God. He encourages his audience to remain steadfast in following the law of Moses rather than following the ways of the dominant pagan Greek culture.

Review Quotes

"Dr. Jeremy Corley is an internationally recognized expert on the Book of Sirach. In this commentary, he provides a compact but helpful guide to unpacking the riches of this often-neglected book, especially its multiple connections with the rest of the Bible and with other ancient literature. He manages to say a great deal in relatively few pages." Rev. Christopher Begg Professor of Biblical Studies School of Theology and Religious Studies The Catholic University of America Washington, DC


"This new work is an excellent commentary written by Dr. Jeremy Corley, one of the foremost experts on Sirach (the Wisdom of Ben Sira). Corley's familiarity with the vast literature on this fascinating Wisdom book shines through his concise comments. Especially valuable are the many cross references he provides to other parts of Sirach as well as to the rest of Old Testament and even the New Testament. Corley's work ranks among the best short commentaries available today." Alexander A. Di Lella, OFM Professor Emeritus Biblical Studies The Catholic University of America
Author of The Wisdom of Ben Sira (Anchor Bible vol. 39; New York: Doubleday, 1987)