E.D. Reymond, «The Wisdom of Words in the Wisdom of Ben Sira», Vol. 95 (2014) 224-246
This article explores the problems posed by language due to its imprecision, the disparity between what one says (or means to say) and what is interpreted. Ben Sira warns his readers of the dangers posed by the changing contexts of an utterance. Sensitivity to context reflects other aspects of Ben Sira's teaching, such as his awareness of people's differing perspectives. In addition, Ben Sira is concerned that his readers be aware of the multiple meanings behind words due to the polysemous nature of the words themselves, their morphology, and/or how they are used.
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THE WISDOM OF WORDS 235
in social rank or power. In Sir 13,22 two participles (one Pual, the
other Hophal or Hiphil) indicate opposite ideas and are juxtaposed:
!ypwÔhÖm !yr[wkm wyrbdw ~ybr wyzr[w rbdm ryX[
The rich (person) speaks and his friends are many,
though his words are repugnant, they are considered beautiful (13,22; Ms A).
The absence of any conjunction between the participles makes
the syntax of the verse initially confusing, though it also helps to
drive home the idea being expressed 22.
The use of ambiguous syntax is also used to highlight the inno-
vative way that Ben Sira thinks of “shame” in 4,21 23.
!xw dwbk tXb Xyw !w[ taXm taXb Xy yk
For there is a shame that causes one to bear guilt
and a shame (that causes one to bear) honor and grace (4,21; Ms A).
Here, the word order of 21b parallels that of 21a and suggests
the ellipsis of the participle (an understanding supported by the Syr-
iac ). All the same, a reader is tempted to understand tXb to be in
construct with the following nouns and translate: “there is a shame
of honor and grace” (the word tXb occurs elsewhere in construct
with following nouns, e.g., $ymwl[ tXb [Isa 54,4], $ma twr[ tXb
[1 Sam 20,30], ~ynp tXb [2 Chr 32,21]), which may be reflected in
the Greek translation: “there is a shame (that is) grace and honor” 24.
22
A similar rhetoric of juxtaposing antonyms is used in Sir 3,10 (Ms A);
6,29 (Ms A); 6,30 (Ms A); 10,28 (Ms A, B); 12,9a (Ms A); 13,20 (Ms A);
33,6 (Ms E).
23
Ben Sira addresses this same topic in greater detail in the long poem
41,14 – 42,8, for which one may consult E.D. REYMOND, “Remarks on Ben
Sira’s ‘Instruction on Shame’ (Sirach 41,14 – 42,8)”, ZAW 115 (2003) 388-
400.
24
The Greek might be translated: “For, there is a shame that brings sin,
and there is shame (that is) glory and grace”. M. Kister writes in relation to
this verse: “Ben Sira’s statement … is deliberately provocative: such a general
statement turns upside down laudable qualities and good manners”. See
M. KISTER, “Some Notes on Biblical Expressions and Allusions and the Lex-
icography of Ben Sira”, Sirach, Scrolls, and Sages. Proceedings of a Second
International Symposium on the Hebrew of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ben Sira,
and the Mishnah, Held at Leiden University, 15-17 December 1997 (eds.
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