The Texts and Versions of the Book of Ben Sira ─ Transmission and Interpretation

Although the Ben Sira is not considered as authoritative as other books in the Hebrew canon, its popularity is attested to by multiple versions in Hebrew and in Greek, Syriac, and Latin translations. Rey (Old Testament exegesis, Strasbourg U., France) and Joosten (U. Paul Verlaine, Metz, France) collect most of the papers (some in untranslated French) presented by scholars in textual studies on Ben Sira at a symposium held at Metz in 2009. One author argues for a reading of the text without reconstruction of gaps. Other themes treated in this valuable contribution to the field include its animal imagery, wordplay, translation methods and linguistic traditions reflected, a comparison of manuscript versions with Ben Sira sayings in the rabbinic literature, and the emphasis on truth and justice. A case is made for New Testament influences on Ben Sira. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Jean-Sebastien Rey, ThD (2006), Strasbourg and Leuven, is Maitre de Conferences at the Paul Verlaine University in Metz, France. His fields of research are the sapiential litterature of the Hellenistic Period, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.Jan Joosten, PhD (1989) Jerusalem, ThD (1994) Brussels, is Professor of Old Testament Exegesis at the Strasbourg University, France. His fields of special interest are the Septuagint and Hebrew syntax.