Sirach chapter 26

[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] An idealized woman according to the author. The danger of merchants.

 


 

The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches

 


OUR INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, the author frequently complains about women. But he does not complain about men.

Here are a dozen instances we noticed:

In verse 1, the author wants a woman to be a good wife. But the author does not mention any need for a man to be a good husband.

In verse 2, the author wants a woman to be brave. But the author does not mention any need for a man to be brave.

In verse 3, the author wants a woman to be morally good. But the author does not mention any need for a man to have moral goodness.

In verse 6, the author singles out women for being jealous. But the author does not admit that men also get jealous.

In verse 6, the author blames women for being gossips. But the author does not blame men for being gossips.

In verse 7, the author accuses women of being wicked. But the author does not accuse men of being wicked.

In verse 8, the author accuses women of being drunken. But the author does not accuse men of being drunken.

In verse 9, the author blames women for sexual infidelities. But the author does not blame men for sexual infidelities.

In verse 10, the author says women are stubborn. But the author does not say men are stubborn.

In verse 14, the author wants women to be silent. But the author does not state any need for men to be silent.

In verse 16, the author wants women to embody traditional feminine beauty. But the author does not require men to embody traditional male beauty.

In verse 16, the author wants women to be a part of a man’s household. But the author does not state any need for men to be a part of a woman’s household.

To be harsh against women but not against men is to be misogynistic.


 

AN IDEALIZED WOMAN ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR

 

VERSE 1. Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days will be doubled.

a good wife. The author wants a woman to be a good wife.

But the author does not mention any need for a man to be a good husband.

 

VERSE 2. A brave woman rejoices her husband; And he will fulfill his years in peace.

A brave woman. The author wants a woman to be brave.

But the author does not mention any need for a man to be brave.

 

VERSE 3. A good wife is a good portion: She will be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.

A good wife. The author wants a woman to be morally good.

But the author does not mention any need for a man to be morally good.

 

VERSE 4. Whether a man be rich or poor, A good heart makes at all times a cheerful countenance.

 

VERSE 5. Of three things my heart was afraid; And concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, and the assembly of a multitude, and a false accusation: All these are more grievous than death.

 

VERSE 6. A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of another woman, And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.

a woman that is jealous of another. The author singles out women for being jealous.

But the author does not admit that men also get jealous.

a tongue communicating to all. The author blames women for being gossips.

But the author does not blame men for being gossips.

 

VERSE 7. A wicked woman is as a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: He that takes hold of her is as one that grasps a scorpion.

A wicked woman. The author accuses women of being wicked.

But the author does not accuse men of being wicked.

 

VERSE 8. A drunken woman causes great wrath; And she will not cover her own shame.

A drunken woman. The author accuses women of being drunken.

But the author does not accuse men of being drunken.

 

VERSE 9. The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; And it will be known by her eyelids.

The whoredom of a woman. The author blames women for sexual infidelities.

But the author does not blame men for sexual infidelities.

 

VERSE 10. Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

a headstrong daughter. The author says women are stubborn.

But the author does not say men are stubborn.

 

VERSE 11. Look well after an impudent eye; And marvel not if it trespass against you.

 

VERSE 12. She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, And drink of every water that is near: She will sit down at every post, And open her quiver against any arrow.

 

VERSE 13. The grace of a wife will delight her husband; And her knowledge will fatten his bones.

 

VERSE 14. A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.

A silent woman is a gift. The author wants women to be silent.

But the author does not state any need for men to be silent.

 

VERSE 15. A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; And there is no price worthy of a continent soul.

 

VERSE 16. As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of a man’s house.

the beauty of a good wife. The author wants women to embody traditional feminine beauty.

But the author does not require men to embody traditional male beauty.

in the ordering of a man’s house. The author wants women to be a part of a man’s household.

But the author does not state any need for men to be a part of a woman’s household.

 

VERSE 17. As the lamp that shines upon the holy candlestick, So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

 

VERSE 18. As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.

 

THE DANGER OF MERCHANTS

 

VERSES 19-27.

These verses are omitted in the best manuscripts.

 

VERSE 28. For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes upon me: A man of war that suffers for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: One that turns back from righteousness to sin; The Lord will prepare him for the sword.

 

VERSE 29. A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; And a huckster will not be acquitted of sin.

A merchant … wrong doing. In the ancient world, merchants were not trustworthy. They were widely viewed as predatory.

Our modern society has rejected that biblical view. Instead, we prize free-market capitalism and honor those executives who become the richest.

 


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SIRACH

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.