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

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter DGBA Backlist Complete English Language 2000-2014 PART1
• VerfasserIn: Marttila, Marko,
• Place / Publishing House: Berlin ;, Boston : : De Gruyter, , [2012]; ©2012
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Language: English
• Series: Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature Studies , 13
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (287 p.)
• Other title: Frontmatter --; Preface --; Table of Contents --; 1. Introduction --; 2. Covenant with Mankind according to Sirach 17 --; 3. Wisdom, Israel and Other Nations in Sirach 24 --; 4. “Put the Nations in Fear of You” – The National Prayer in Sirach 36 --; 5. Foreign Nations in Ben Sira's “Laus Patrum” (Sir 44-50) --; 6. Ben Sira and Foreign Rule: an Analysis of Short Passages --; 7. Summary --; Bibliography --; Index of Modern Authors --; Index of Passages
• Format: Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
• ISBN: 9783110270112; 9783110238570; 9783110238549; 9783110638165; 9783110288995; 9783110293845; 9783110288957
• ISSN: 1865-1666
• DOI: 10.1515/9783110270112
• Access: restricted access
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: Marko Marttila.

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.