Have you ever opened an old Bible and found books you didn’t recognize? I remember that feeling. It was a beautiful, leather-bound Catholic Bible on my grandmother’s shelf. I flipped past Malachi, expecting to see Matthew. Instead, I found myself in a different world of books. One of them was called Sirach. It made me ask a question that many people wonder about: What is Sirach in the Bible? The answer is more complex and fascinating than you might think. It is a story of history, faith, and debate that continues to this day.
This journey is not about shaking your faith. Instead, it is about deepening it. We will explore what this book is. We will also see why it is in some Bibles but not others. Ultimately, understanding Sirach helps us appreciate the incredible story of how we got the Bible we hold in our hands today. So, let’s dive into the shocking truth together.
More in Bible Category
Did Martin Luther Remove Books from the Bible
Why Is Song of Solomon in the Bible
Why Is Sirach Not in the Bible
Key Takeaways
For those who want the key points right away, here is a quick summary:
- What is Sirach? Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, is a book of wisdom. It contains ethical teachings and practical advice for daily life, much like the Book of Proverbs.
- Who Wrote It? It was written by a Jewish scribe named Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, around 200–175 BC.
- The Main Controversy: The central debate is whether Sirach is inspired Scripture. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include it as part of the Old Testament. Protestant Bibles, however, do not.
- Why The Difference? Protestants consider Sirach part of the Apocrypha. These are books that are seen as valuable for historical and spiritual reading but not for establishing doctrine. Catholics refer to these books as “Deuterocanonical,” meaning “second canon,” and view them as fully inspired.
- Is It Valuable? Regardless of your view on its status, Sirach offers profound wisdom on friendship, family, humility, and fearing the Lord. Many Christians find it incredibly insightful for personal growth.
What is the Book of Sirach Actually About?
Before we get into the heavy historical debates, let’s start with the basics. What kind of book is this? If you were to open it, what would you find? The Book of Sirach is, first and foremost, a book of wisdom. It feels very similar to the Book of Proverbs. You will not find long historical narratives like in Genesis or Kings. Likewise, you will not read prophecy about the future like in Isaiah or Revelation.
Instead, Sirach is a collection of teachings, poems, and wise sayings. The author wrote it to guide people in living a righteous and happy life. He focused on practical, everyday matters. For example, he gives advice on how to choose your friends wisely. He also writes about how to manage your money and how to be a good parent. It is all grounded in a deep reverence for God. The central theme is that true wisdom begins with the “fear of the Lord.”
Who Wrote This Ancient Book of Wisdom?
We actually know who wrote this book, which is quite rare for Old Testament-era writings. The author introduces himself in the text. His name was Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach. It is important to note this is not Jesus Christ. The name “Jesus” (or Yeshua) was a common Jewish name at the time.
This man was a devout Jewish scribe and teacher living in Jerusalem. He was deeply learned in the Jewish Scriptures (what we now call the Old Testament). He saw the growing influence of Greek culture and wanted to remind his people of their own spiritual heritage. Consequently, his work is a powerful defense of Jewish tradition and faith in God.
What Kind of Lessons Can You Find in Sirach?
The advice in Sirach is incredibly practical, even for us today. It covers a huge range of topics that are still relevant to our lives as Christians. The author wanted to provide a guide for living well in every area of life.
Here are just a few examples of the topics covered:
- Friendship: Sirach speaks beautifully about the value of a true friend. It warns against false friends who are only there in good times. A faithful friend, he says, is a “sturdy shelter.”
- Family Life: The book gives advice to both parents and children. It emphasizes honoring your father and mother. It also discusses the responsibilities of raising children in the ways of God.
- Humility vs. Pride: A major theme is the danger of pride. Sirach teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. True wisdom, therefore, involves recognizing our dependence on God.
- Money and Integrity: The author gives sharp warnings about the dangers of greed. He encourages honesty in business dealings. Moreover, he teaches generosity toward the poor.
- Speech and the Tongue: Like the Book of James in the New Testament, Sirach warns about the power of words. It advises us to be slow to speak and careful with our tongue, as it can build up or tear down.
Why Isn’t Sirach in My Protestant Bible?
This is the big question. It is the reason so many people are confused or even suspicious about this book. If you have a King James Version, NIV, ESV, or most other Protestant Bibles, you will not find Sirach inside. The reason goes back to a historical disagreement about which ancient books belong in the Bible. This collection of accepted books is called the “canon.”
During the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, leaders like Martin Luther looked at the Old Testament canon. They decided to base their Old Testament on the official Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible did not contain Sirach or several other books. These books were mostly written in the centuries between the last of the Old Testament prophets and the coming of Jesus Christ. As a result, the Reformers moved them into a separate section.
What Does the Word “Apocrypha” Mean?
The Protestant Reformers placed Sirach and other books into a section called the “Apocrypha.” This word means “hidden things.” They believed these books were valuable for reading. They contained important history and moral lessons. However, they did not consider them to be divinely inspired in the same way as the 66 books of the Protestant Bible.
Their main reasons were:
- They were not in the Hebrew canon. The Jewish authorities had not included them in their official Scriptures.
- They were written in Greek. Most of these books were preserved in the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament. The original Hebrew for some, like Sirach, was lost for centuries.
- The New Testament doesn’t quote them as Scripture. Jesus and the apostles often quoted from the Old Testament, but they never explicitly quote Sirach or other Apocryphal books as being the “Word of God.”
Why Do Catholics Consider Sirach Part of the Bible?
On the other hand, the Catholic Church has a different view. Catholics use the term “Deuterocanonical” instead of Apocrypha. This term means “second canon.” They believe these books are just as inspired as the rest of the Old Testament. This tradition goes back to the early church.
The early Christians primarily used the Septuagint. This was the Greek version of the Old Testament that included Sirach. Therefore, these books were part of the Bible for many Christians for over a thousand years before the Reformation. In the 1500s, the Catholic Church held the Council of Trent. At this council, they officially affirmed that Sirach and the other Deuterocanonical books were sacred and canonical. This decision solidified the difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles that we still see today.
You can learn more about the deep historical context of the Apocrypha from academic sources that have studied these ancient texts for decades.
How Should a Christian Today Approach the Book of Sirach?
So, where does that leave us? As a believer who loves Jesus and trusts the Bible, this can feel confusing. Does this historical debate really matter for my faith today? I believe it does, but perhaps not in the way you think. The “shocking truth” is not some dark conspiracy. It is a story of how faithful people have sought to understand God’s Word throughout history.
My own journey with this book has been a rewarding one. I do not view Sirach as being on the same level as Genesis or the Gospel of John. I hold to the 66-book canon as the ultimate authority for doctrine. However, that does not mean I discard Sirach. I have found immense value and wisdom in its pages. It has challenged me, encouraged me, and given me practical advice for living out my faith.
Can You Find Wisdom in Sirach Without It Being Scripture?
Absolutely. I think about it this way. Many of us read books by great Christian authors like C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, or Tim Keller. Their writings are not Scripture. Yet, they are filled with profound wisdom that helps us understand the Bible better. They point us toward God and help us live more Christ-like lives.
For me, Sirach functions in a similar way. It is an ancient voice, rich with wisdom, that reflects a deep love for God.
- It shows us what faithful Jews were thinking in the time leading up to Jesus.
- It provides a powerful link in the historical chain between the Old and New Testaments.
- It offers godly advice that aligns with the teachings of Proverbs and the New Testament.
Reading Sirach with discernment can enrich your walk with God. You can appreciate its wisdom while still holding the 66 books of the Bible as your final authority.
Are There Any Concerning Teachings in Sirach?
To be fair and honest, we must also address this question. One of the reasons the Protestant Reformers were hesitant about the Apocrypha was because some passages seemed to conflict with established Scripture. In Sirach, for instance, some verses about women can sound very harsh to our modern ears. Other passages might seem to place a very strong emphasis on works, which can feel at odds with the New Testament’s focus on grace.
This is why discernment is so important. As Christians, our ultimate measure for truth is Jesus Christ and the inspired Word of God. When we read any other book, including Sirach, we should do so with our Bibles open. We can chew on the meat and spit out the bones. We can embrace the wisdom that aligns with Scripture and prayerfully consider the parts that seem challenging.
So, What is the Final Verdict on Sirach?
We have traveled through a lot of history and theology. We started with a simple question: What is Sirach in the Bible? Now we can see the answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.” The verdict depends on which Bible you hold and which Christian tradition you follow.
For Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Sirach is a treasured and inspired part of the Old Testament. For Protestant Christians, it is a historically significant book of wisdom found in the Apocrypha. It is helpful for personal reading but not for forming doctrine.
The shocking truth, then, is not that there is a “lost book” that holds secret keys to the faith. The shocking truth is that the history of our Bible is more human and complex than we often imagine. But this should not shake our faith. On the contrary, it should give us confidence. It shows that for two thousand years, believers have wrestled deeply with these texts.
Ultimately, our unity as Christians does not come from agreeing on the exact number of books in the Old Testament. Our unity comes from our shared faith in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Word of God. Whether you ever read Sirach or not, my encouragement is to dive deeper into the Gospels. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. See the life-changing story of the Son of God who came to save us. That is the truth that truly sets us free.
Frequently Asked Questions – What Is Sirach in the Bible
What is the main message of Sirach, and why is it important today?
The main message of Sirach is that true wisdom begins with reverence for God and that faith should influence everyday life, offering practical advice on friendship, family, money, and living morally, making it relevant for modern readers.
Why is Sirach not included in all versions of the Bible?
Sirach is part of the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books and is included in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in most Protestant Bibles due to historical debates during the formation of the biblical canon.
Why is Sirach called Ecclesiasticus, and what does that name mean?
Sirach is also called Ecclesiasticus, a Latin name meaning ‘Churchly Book,’ because early Christians used it extensively to teach moral and spiritual lessons.
Who wrote the book of Sirach, and when was it written?
The book of Sirach was written by a Jewish writer named Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sirach, around 200 to 175 BC, during a period just before Jesus of Nazareth began his teachings.
What kind of book is Sirach in the Bible?
Sirach is a book of wisdom, similar to Proverbs, containing poems, prayers, and advice on how to live a wise, happy, and godly life.
