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Sirach / Chapter 48

Sirach 48

29 verses • Latin Vulgate (Jerome)

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

The Praise of the Ancestors reaches the great prophets: Elijah, whose fiery ministry is described with explosive energy; Elisha, his heir who received a double portion of his spirit; Hezekiah, the righteous king who fortified Jerusalem and brought water through the tunnel; and Isaiah, the prophet who comforted the exiles and foretold things to the end of time.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The Elijah portrait (vv. 1-12) is one of the most electrifying passages in Sirach, painting the prophet as a living flame who shut the heavens, raised the dead, toppled kings, and was taken up in a whirlwind of fire. The messianic expectation of Elijah's return (v. 10) -- 'you who are written in the judgments of times to calm the wrath of the Lord' -- is the clearest pre-Christian statement of the Elijah-return tradition that shaped John the Baptist's identity.

Translation Friction

The historical telescoping is significant: the text moves from Elijah and Elisha (9th century BCE) to Hezekiah and Isaiah (8th century BCE) with no mention of the intervening prophets. Ben Sira's selection criteria prioritize dramatic narrative impact over comprehensive coverage.

Connections

1 Kings 17-19 (Elijah's ministry); 2 Kings 2 (Elijah's ascension and Elisha's succession); 2 Kings 18-20 (Hezekiah); Isaiah 36-39 (Hezekiah and Isaiah); Malachi 4:5-6 (Elijah's return before the Day of the Lord); Matthew 11:14 (Jesus identifies John the Baptist as Elijah).

Sirach 48:1

Et surrexit Helias propheta quasi ignis et verbum ipsius quasi facula ardebat.

Then Elijah the prophet arose like fire, and his word burned like a torch.

Notes & Key Terms 2 terms

Key Terms

Helias
"Elijah"

The Hebrew Eliyahu ('my God is YHWH') -- the fiercest defender of Yahwistic monotheism in all of Israel's history.

quasi ignis
"like fire"

Fire is Elijah's signature element: fire from heaven on Carmel (1 Kings 18:38), a chariot of fire at his ascension (2 Kings 2:11), and here, fire as the essence of his being.

Translator Notes

  1. The most dramatic opening in the entire Praise of the Ancestors. Elijah is not introduced -- he erupts. Fire is both his medium and his metaphor.
Sirach 48:2

Qui induxit in illos famem et irritantes illum invidia sua pauci facti sunt nam non poterant sustinere praecepta Domini.

He brought famine upon them, and those who provoked him in their envy were made few, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The three-year drought (1 Kings 17:1) was Elijah's opening act: shutting the heavens to punish Israel's apostasy.
Sirach 48:3

Verbo Domini continuit caelum et deiecit de caelo ignem ter.

By the word of the Lord he shut the heavens, and three times brought down fire from heaven.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Three acts of heavenly fire: the sacrifice on Carmel (1 Kings 18:38), and possibly two destructions of troops sent by Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:10, 12).
Sirach 48:4

Sic amplificatus est Helias in mirabilibus suis et quis potest similiter sic gloriari tibi.

So Elijah was magnified by his wonders -- and who can boast of being like you?

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A sudden shift to second person: Ben Sira addresses Elijah directly, as though speaking to a living figure rather than a historical one.
Sirach 48:5

Qui sustulisti mortuum ab inferis de sorte mortis in verbo Domini Dei.

You who raised a dead man from the underworld, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ab inferis
"from the underworld"

From Sheol; the dead man was already in the realm of death and was brought back by prophetic power.

Translator Notes

  1. The raising of the widow's son at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24) -- one of the few resurrections in the Hebrew Bible, accomplished through the prophetic word.
Sirach 48:6

Qui deiecisti reges ad perniciem et confregisti facile potentiam ipsorum et gloriosos de lecto suo.

You who hurled kings to destruction and easily shattered their power, and the glorious from their beds.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Elijah pronounced doom upon the house of Ahab (1 Kings 21:20-24) and upon Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:16).
Sirach 48:7

Qui audis in Sina iudicium et in Horeb iudicia defensionis.

You who heard judgment at Sinai and decrees of retribution at Horeb.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

Sina ... Horeb
"Sinai ... Horeb"

The two names for the same mountain: the place of Moses' revelation and Elijah's recommissioning. The dual naming emphasizes continuity between the two prophets.

Translator Notes

  1. Elijah's pilgrimage to Horeb/Sinai (1 Kings 19:8-18), where he received the commission to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha.
Sirach 48:8

Qui unguis reges ad paenitentiam et prophetas facis successores post te.

You who anoint kings to repentance and make prophets as successors after you.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Elijah's anointing ministry: setting up both royal and prophetic succession. The commission at Horeb included designating Elisha as his prophetic heir.
Sirach 48:9

Qui receptus es in turbine ignis in curru equorum igneorum.

You who were taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of flame.

Notes & Key Terms 2 terms

Key Terms

turbine ignis
"whirlwind of fire"

The se'arah -- the divine storm-wind combined with fire that carried Elijah bodily into heaven.

curru equorum igneorum
"chariot with horses of flame"

The merkavah tradition: God's chariot of fire, here serving as Elijah's vehicle of ascension.

Translator Notes

  1. The most dramatic exit in the entire Bible: Elijah's bodily ascension in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11). Like Enoch, he did not die.
Sirach 48:10

Qui scriptus es in iudiciis temporum lenire iracundiam Domini conciliare cor patris ad filium et restituere tribus Iacob.

You who are written in the decrees of the times, to calm the wrath of the Lord, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

conciliare cor patris ad filium
"turn the heart of the father to the son"

Malachi 4:6 quoted verbatim; the restoration of broken family bonds as part of eschatological renewal.

Translator Notes

  1. The Elijah-return prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6, here expanded: Elijah will return before the Day of the Lord to reconcile families and restore Israel. This verse is foundational for the New Testament identification of John the Baptist with Elijah.
Sirach 48:11

Beati sunt qui te viderunt et in amicitia tua decorati sunt.

Blessed are those who saw you and were honored by your friendship.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A beatitude for those who knew Elijah personally -- an extraordinary honor, given his unique status.
Sirach 48:12

Nam nos vita vivimus tantum post mortem autem non erit tale nomen nostrum.

For we live only this present life, but after death our name will not be such as his.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. A poignant contrast: we who are alive cannot compare to Elijah. Even our posthumous reputation will pale beside his.
Sirach 48:13

Helias quidem in turbine tectus est et in Heliseo conpletus est spiritus eius.

When Elijah was hidden in the whirlwind, Elisha was filled with his spirit.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

Heliseo
"Elisha"

Elijah's prophetic successor, who received a double portion of his spirit and performed even more miracles than his master.

Translator Notes

  1. The succession: Elijah's departure is Elisha's empowerment. The double portion of spirit (2 Kings 2:9) is the mechanism of prophetic continuity.
Sirach 48:14

In diebus suis non pertimuit principem et potentia nemo vicit illum.

In his days he did not tremble before any prince, and no one overpowered him by force.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Elisha's fearlessness before kings (cf. 2 Kings 3:13-14, his confrontation with Jehoram) is his primary character trait.
Sirach 48:15

Nec superavit illum verbum aliquod et in dormitione prophetavit corpus eius.

No word was too great for him, and in his sleep his body prophesied.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Even Elisha's corpse had prophetic power: a dead man revived upon touching his bones (2 Kings 13:20-21).
Sirach 48:16

In vita sua fecit monstra et in morte mirabilia operatus est.

In his life he worked wonders, and in death his deeds were marvelous.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The summary of Elisha's career: miraculous in life, miraculous even in death. His prophetic power transcended the boundary of mortality.
Sirach 48:17

In omnibus istis non paenituit populus et non recesserunt a peccatis suis usque dum eiecti sunt de terra sua et dispersi sunt in omnem terram.

In spite of all this, the people did not repent and did not depart from their sins, until they were thrown out of their land and scattered across the whole earth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The bitter verdict on the northern kingdom: despite Elijah and Elisha's miracles, the people refused to repent, and exile was the result.
Sirach 48:18

Et relicta est gens perpauca et princeps in domo David.

And there remained only a very small people, with a ruler in the house of David.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. After the northern exile, only Judah survived -- a 'very small people' still governed by the Davidic dynasty.
Sirach 48:19

Quidam ipsorum fecerunt quod placeret Deo alii autem multiplicaverunt peccata.

Some of them did what was pleasing to God, while others multiplied sins.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The assessment of Judah's kings: a mixed record of faithfulness and apostasy, summarized in one verse.
Sirach 48:20

Ezechias munivit civitatem suam et induxit in medium ipsius aquam et fodit ferro rupem et aedificavit ad aquam puteos.

Hezekiah fortified his city and brought water into its midst; he tunneled through the rock with iron and built cisterns for the water.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

Ezechias
"Hezekiah"

The righteous king of Judah (c. 715-686 BCE) who centralized worship, resisted Assyria, and secured Jerusalem's water supply.

Translator Notes

  1. Hezekiah's tunnel (2 Kings 20:20, 2 Chronicles 32:30) -- the Siloam tunnel, one of the most remarkable engineering achievements of the ancient world, confirmed by archaeology and the Siloam inscription.
Sirach 48:21

In diebus ipsius ascendit Sennacherib et misit Rabsacen et sustulit manum suam contra illos et extulit manum suam in Sion et superbus factus est potentia sua.

In his days Sennacherib came up and sent the Rabshakeh, and he raised his hand against them; he stretched out his hand against Zion and grew arrogant in his power.

Notes & Key Terms 2 terms

Key Terms

Sennacherib
"Sennacherib"

The Assyrian emperor who besieged Jerusalem in 701 BCE; his campaign is documented in both biblical and Assyrian records.

Rabsacen
"Rabshakeh"

Not a personal name but a title: the chief cup-bearer or senior Assyrian official who delivered the surrender demand.

Translator Notes

  1. The Assyrian crisis of 701 BCE (2 Kings 18-19): Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, the defining event of Hezekiah's reign.
Sirach 48:22

Tunc mota sunt corda et manus ipsorum et doluerunt quasi parturientes mulieres.

Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in anguish like women in labor.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The terror of Jerusalem's inhabitants before the Assyrian threat: the 'labor pains' image expresses utter helplessness.
Sirach 48:23

Et invocaverunt Dominum misericordem et expandentes manus suas extulerunt ad caelum et sanctus Dominus Deus audivit cito vocem ipsorum.

And they called upon the merciful Lord, stretching out their hands and lifting them toward heaven, and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Hezekiah's prayer (2 Kings 19:14-19) and God's swift response -- the most dramatic divine intervention since the Exodus.
Sirach 48:24

Non est commemoratus peccatorum illorum neque dedit illos inimicis suis sed purgavit eos in manu Esaiae sancti prophetae.

He did not remember their sins or give them over to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaiah the holy prophet.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

Esaiae
"Isaiah"

The prophet whose oracle assured Hezekiah of Jerusalem's deliverance; the greatest of the writing prophets in the Jewish canonical tradition.

Translator Notes

  1. Isaiah's role is decisive: it was through his prophetic word that God's deliverance came (2 Kings 19:20-34).
Sirach 48:25

Deiecit castra Assyriorum et contrivit illos angelus Domini.

He overthrew the camp of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord crushed them.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

angelus Domini
"angel of the Lord"

The malakh YHWH -- the divine agent of destruction who executed the overnight annihilation of the Assyrian siege force.

Translator Notes

  1. The destruction of Sennacherib's army by the angel of death (2 Kings 19:35): 185,000 Assyrian soldiers killed in a single night.
Sirach 48:26

Nam fecit Ezechias quod placuit Deo et fortiter ivit in via David patris sui quam mandavit illi Esaias propheta magnus et fidelis in conspectu Dei.

For Hezekiah did what was pleasing to God and walked steadfastly in the way of David his father, as Isaiah the prophet commanded him -- a great prophet, faithful in the sight of God.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Hezekiah's obedience is modeled on David, and Isaiah is his guide. The prophet-king partnership is presented as the ideal mode of governance.
Sirach 48:27

In diebus ipsius retro rediit sol et addidit regi vitam.

In his days the sun went backward, and he added life to the king.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The sign of the sundial (2 Kings 20:8-11, Isaiah 38:7-8): the shadow moved backward ten steps as a sign that God would heal Hezekiah and extend his life by fifteen years.
Sirach 48:28

Magno enim animo vidit ultima et consolatus est lugentes in Sion.

For with great vision he saw the last things, and he comforted those who mourned in Zion.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Isaiah's prophetic sight extended to 'the last things' -- the eschatological future. His consolation of Zion's mourners anticipates Isaiah 40-66.
Sirach 48:29

Usque in sempiternum ostendit futura et abscondita antequam evenirent.

He revealed what was to come until the end of time, and hidden things before they happened.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The highest claim for Isaiah: his prophecies extend to the end of history. He saw not merely the near future but the ultimate consummation.
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