Why does the Praise of the Ancestors (Sir 44–49) close with Adam?

Judyta Pudełko

Papieski Wydział Teologiczny w Warszawie , Poland



Abstract

The Book of Sirach contains, besides numerous sapiential maxims, a remarkable text focused on the work of God and His wisdom in the history of Israel: The Praise of the Ancestors (Sir 44–49). In this way, a sage of Jerusalem wanted to instill in the hearts of his disciples the ability to view history in the theological way. The order and interpretation of the heroes presented in the passage, while based on tradition, results from interpretation and criteria of the author himself. Interestingly, at the end of the description the sage returns to the beginnings not only of Israel but also of mankind by closing his description with the figure of Adam – the first man. The presentation of Adam in Sir 49,16b is very positive, the author focuses on the glory and beauty of the first man, with complete disregard for such aspect as his fall. The terminology employed connects the figure of Adam with priestly personages described by Sirach (Aaron; Simon, the high priest), which suggests a special significance of the high priest in the work of the sage of Jerusalem. The reference to Adam and the beginning of mankind presumes the recognition of “the new beginning” in the figure of the high priest.

Keywords:

Old Testament, Book of Sirach, Praise of the Ancestors, Adam, high priest

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Published
2017-10-30


Pudełko, J. (2017). Dlaczego Adam zamyka Pochwałę Ojców (Syr 44-49)?. The Biblical Annals, 7(4), 441–457. Retrieved from https://czasopisma.kul.pl/index.php/ba/article/view/2156

Judyta Pudełko  judyta.pd@gmail.com
Papieski Wydział Teologiczny w Warszawie

S. Jolanta Judyta Pudełko należy do Zgromadzenia Sióstr Uczennic Boskiego Mistrza (PDDM) i jest doktorem teologii biblijnej Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie (2006) oraz wykładowcą Papieskiego Wydziału Teologicznego w Warszawie.

W latach 2007-2010 studiowała w Studium Biblicum Franciscanum w Jerozolimie, gdzie uzyskała licencjat z nauk biblijnych i archeologii. Autorka książki Wierny przyjaciel lekarstwem życia (Syr 6,16). Koncepcja przyjaźni w Księdze Syracydesa (RSB 28; Warszawa: Vocatio, 2007) oraz kilkudziesięciu artykułów o charakterze naukowym i popularnonaukowym. Jest również zaangażowana w duszpasterstwo biblijne i popularyzowanie lectio divina. Członkini zwyczajna Stowarzyszenia Biblistów Polskich i przewodnik grup pielgrzymkowych w Ziemi Świętej.

 




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