Like an everlasting signet ring : generosity in the book of Sirach / Bradley C. Gregory.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gregory, Bradley C.

Series:

Deuterocanonical and cognate literature studies ; 2.

Deuterocanonical and cognate literature studies, 1865-1666 ; 2

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Ecclesiasticus--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Generosity--Biblical teaching.

Generosity.

Charity--Biblical teaching.

Charity.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (396 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; New York : De Gruyter, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This work explores the theological and social dimensions of generosity in the book of Sirach and contextualizes them within the culture and thought of Second Temple Judaism. Ben Sira's understanding of generosity is predicated on the tension between affirming the classic wisdom principle of retributive justice and recognizing its breakdown in the socio-economic circumstances of Seleucid Judea. He forges a new Wisdom-Torah ethic of mercy in which giving generously is an integral part of living "the good life".While loans and surety are essential practices, almsgiving is the preeminent act of generosity. The fundamental theological logic at work consists in viewing the poor as proxies for God and is based on the economic structure of Proverbs 19:17. Giving to the poor is, in reality, a deposit in a heavenly treasury and will pay future dividends. By situating Ben Sira's view of almsgiving within the wider framework of retributive justice and its breakdown, new light is shed on the practical tensions regarding the extent of almsgiving and its relationship to the support of the Jerusalem priesthood. The various dynamics of Ben Sira's thought on generosity are situated within the broader Hellenistic world and in their foundational role for later Jewish and Christian thought.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Table of Contents

Abbreviations

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Wealth, Poverty, and the Problem of Justice

Chapter 3. Death, Generosity, and the Good Life

Chapter 4. Generosity through Loans and Surety

Chapter 5. Generosity through Almsgiving

Chapter 6. Almsgiving and Sacrifice in Sirach

Chapter 7. The Extent of Almsgiving in Sirach

Chapter 8. Synthesis & Conclusions

Backmatter

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9786612715044

9781282715042

1282715046

9783110223675

3110223678

OCLC:

615600334