Misogyny in Sirach? Outline of Verses

I post the verses that I will be referencing and interpreting for my livestream titled, “Misogyny in Sirach? God's Love for His Daughters”, which can be accessed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgEjekgGiLo

https://rumble.com/v7eh918-misogyny-in-sirach-gods-love-for-his-daughters.html?e9s=src_v1_clr%2Csrc_v1_upp_a

Whereas many great teachings have been given to us through the law and the prophets and the others that followed them, on account of which we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom; and since it is necessary not only that the readers themselves should acquire understanding but also that those who love learning should be able to help the outsiders by both speaking and writing, my grandfather Jesus, after devoting himself especially to the reading of the law and the prophets and the other books of our fathers, and after acquiring considerable proficiency in them, was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, in order that, by becoming conversant with this also, those who love learning should make even greater progress in living according to the law.

You are urged therefore to read with good will and attention, and to be indulgent in cases where, despite out diligent labor in translating, we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. Not only this work, but even the law itself, the prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little as originally expressed.

When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Eu-er′getes and stayed for some time, I found opportunity for no little instruction. It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some pains and labor to the translation of the following book, using in that period of time great watchfulness and skill in order to complete and publish the book for those living abroad who wished to gain learning, being prepared in character to live according to the law. Sirach: Introduction

“Wisdom will praise herself, and will glory in the midst of her people. In the assembly of the Most High she will open her mouth, and in the presence of his host she will glory: ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist. I dwelt in high places, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. Alone I have made the circuit of the vault of heaven and have walked in the depths of the abyss. In the waves of the sea, in the whole earth, and in every people and nation I have gotten a possession. Among all these I sought a resting place; I sought in whose territory I might lodge. Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and the one who created me assigned a place for my tent. And he said, “Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.” From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall not cease to exist. In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion. In the beloved city likewise he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my dominion. So I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, who is their inheritance.

“‘I grew tall like a cedar in Leb′anon, and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon. I grew tall like a palm tree in En-ged′i, and like rose plants in Jericho; like a beautiful olive tree in the field, and like a plane tree I grew tall. Like cassia and camel’s thorn I gave forth the aroma of spices, and like choice myrrh I spread a pleasant odor, like gal′banum, on′ycha, and stacte, and like the fragrance of frankincense in the tabernacle. Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my branches are glorious and graceful. Like a vine I caused loveliness to bud, and my blossoms became glorious and abundant fruit. Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill of my produce. For the remembrance of me is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance sweeter than the honeycomb. Those who eat me will hunger for more, and those who drink me will thirst for more. Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who work with my help will not sin.’

“All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God, the law which Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob. It fills men with wisdom, like the Pishon, and like the Tigris at the time of the first fruits. It makes them full of understanding, like the Euphrates, and like the Jordan at harvest time. It makes instruction shine forth like light, like the Gihon at the time of vintage. Just as the first man did not know her perfectly, the last one has not fathomed her; for her thought is more abundant than the sea, and her counsel deeper than the great abyss. I went forth like a canal from a river and like a water channel into a garden. I said, ‘I will water my orchard and drench my garden plot’; and lo, my canal became a river, and my river became a sea. I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn, and I will make it shine afar; I will again pour out teaching like prophecy, and leave it to all future generations. Observe that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction.” Sirach 24:1-34

“It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss. A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father. An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both. Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.” Sirach 22:3-6  

“The children of sinners are abominable children, and they frequent the haunts of the ungodly. The inheritance of the children of sinners will perish, and on their posterity will be a perpetual reproach. Children will blame an ungodly father, for they suffer reproach because of him. Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the Most High God! When you are born, you are born to a curse; and when you die, a curse is your lot. Whatever is from the dust returns to dust; so the ungodly go from curse to destruction. The mourning of men is about their bodies, but the evil name of sinners will be blotted out. Have regard for your name, since it will remain for you longer than a thousand great stores of gold. The days of a good life are numbered, but a good name endures for ever. My children, observe instruction and be at peace; hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, what advantage is there in either of them?

Better is the man who hides his folly than the man who hides his wisdom. Therefore show respect for my words: For it is good to retain every kind of shame, and not everything is confidently esteemed by every one. Be ashamed of immorality, before your father or mother; and of a lie, before a prince or a ruler; of a transgression, before a judge or magistrate; and of iniquity, before a congregation or the people; of unjust dealing, before your partner or friend; and of theft, in the place where you live. Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be ashamed of selfish behavior at meals, of surliness in receiving and giving, and of silence, before those who greet you; of looking at a woman who is a harlot, and of rejecting the appeal of a kinsman; of taking away some one’s portion or gift, and of gazing at another man’s wife; of meddling with his maidservant— and do not approach her bed; of abusive words, before friends— and do not upbraid after making a gift; of repeating and telling what you hear, and of revealing secrets. Then you will show proper shame, and will find favor with every man.” Sirach 41:5-23

“Of the following things do not be ashamed, and do not let partiality lead you to sin: of the law of the Most High and his covenant, and of rendering judgment to acquit the ungodly; of keeping accounts with a partner or with traveling companions, and of dividing the inheritance of friends; of accuracy with scales and weights, and of acquiring much or little; of profit from dealing with merchants, and of much discipline of children, and of whipping a wicked servant severely. Where there is an evil wife, a seal is a good thing; and where there are many hands, lock things up. Whatever you deal out, let it be by number and weight, and make a record of all that you give out or take in. Do not be ashamed to instruct the stupid or foolish or the aged man who quarrels with the young. Then you will be truly instructed, and will be approved before all men.

“A daughter keeps her father secretly wakeful, and worry over her robs him of sleep; when she is young, lest she do not marry, or if married, lest she be hated; while a virgin, lest she be defiled or become pregnant in her father’s house; or having a husband, lest she prove unfaithful, or, though married, lest she be barren. Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city and notorious among the people, and put you to shame before the great multitude. Do not look upon any one for beauty, and do not sit in the midst of women; for from garments comes the moth, and from a woman comes woman’s wickedness. Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good; and it is a woman who brings shame and disgrace.” Sirach 42:1-14

“I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon than dwell with an evil wife. The wickedness of a wife changes her appearance, and darkens her face like that of a bear. Her husband takes his meals among the neighbors, and he cannot help sighing bitterly. Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife’s iniquity; may a sinner’s lot befall her! A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged— such is a garrulous wife for a quiet husband. Do not be ensnared by a woman’s beauty, and do not desire a woman for her possessions. There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace when a wife supports her husband. A dejected mind, a gloomy face, and a wounded heart are caused by an evil wife. Drooping hands and weak knees are caused by the wife who does not make her husband happy. From a woman sin had its beginning, and because of her we all die. Allow no outlet to water, and no boldness of speech in an evil wife. If she does not go as you direct, separate her from yourself.” Sirach 25:16-26

“Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled. A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace. A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord. Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.” Sirach 26:1-4

“A wife’s charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul. A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home. Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure. Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.” Sirach 26:13-18

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is senseless. A good man will obtain favor from Yahweh, But a man of evil schemes He will condemn. A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be shaken. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” Proverbs 12:1-4

“From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from Yahweh.” Proverbs 18:20-22

“A man’s insight makes him slow to anger, And it is his honor to overlook a transgression. The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.” Proverbs 19:11-14

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of Yahweh; He turns it wherever He pleases. Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is chosen by Yahweh over sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— The fallow ground of the wicked—are sin. The thoughts of the diligent lead surely to profit, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. Working for treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting breath, by those who pursue death. The destruction of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to do justice. The way of a guilty man is perverse, But as for the pure, his work is upright. It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. The soul of the wicked craves evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. When the scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; And when one considers wisdom, he receives knowledge. The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin... It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.” Proverbs 21:1-12, 19

“It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Proverbs 25:24

Proverbs 31

Aleph

¹⁰ An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls.

Beth

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

Gimel

¹² She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil All the days of her life.

Daleth

¹³ She searches for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

He

¹⁴ She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

Vav

¹⁵ And she rises while it is still night, And gives food to her householdAnd a portion to her young women.

Zayin

¹⁶ She makes plans for a field and buys it; From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Heth

¹⁷ She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

Teth

¹⁸ She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

Yodh

¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold fast the spindle.

Kaph

²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

Lamedh

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Mem

²² She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Nun

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits with the elders of the land.

Samekh

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, And gives belts to the tradesmen.

Ayin

²⁵ Strength and majesty are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

Pe

²⁶ She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.

Tsadhe

²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Qoph

²⁸ Her children rise up and bless her; As for her husband, he also praises her, saying:

Resh

²⁹ “Many daughters have done excellently, But you have gone above them all.”

Shin

³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

Tav

³¹ Give to her from the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Further Reading

Doesn't the Bible degrade women, placing them on the level of animals and possessions?

Women in Islam: [Part 1], [Part 2], [Part 3], [Part 4]

Women in the Bible: [Part 1], [Part 2]