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Sirach — Chapter 46 — Hebrew–Greek comparison

Joshua, the judges, and Samuel

Saints Translation · V2 · Hebrew–Greek working comparison

Sirach 46 · 20 source units
Hebrew–English · Literal-Smooth	Greek–English · Literal-Smooth	Classification & Notes
Hebrew 46:1 · translated A mighty man of valor was Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ servant in prophecy, who was formed to become in his days a great salvation for His chosen ones, to avenge vengeance upon an enemy and give Israel its inheritance. Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso גבור בן חיל יהושע בן נון ]] [[ משרת משה בנבואה׃ אשר נוצר להיות בימיו ]] [[ תשועה גדלה לבחיריו׃ להנקם נקמי אויב ]] [[ ולהנחיל את ישראל׃ Manuscript transcription	46:1 Mighty in war was Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ successor in prophecies. In keeping with his name he became great in the salvation of His chosen ones, taking vengeance on enemies who rose against them, so that he might give Israel its inheritance.	Similar · Hebrew 46:1 — Hebrew calls Joshua servant; Greek successor and an explicit wordplay on his name. Inherited Greek note 46:1 Ἰησοῦς Ναυη is rendered Joshua son of Nun according to the established biblical personal name. The Greek connects his name with salvation without providing an etymological gloss to insert into the main text.
Hebrew 46:2 · translated How majestic when he stretched out his hand, when he brandished a javelin against a city! Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso מה נהדר בנטותו יד ]] [[ בהניפו כידון על עיר׃ Manuscript transcription	46:2 How glorious he was when he raised his hands and stretched out his sword against cities!	Different · Hebrew 46:2 — Hebrew javelin and a city contrast with Greek sword and cities.
Hebrew 46:3 · translated Who could stand before him? For he joined YHWH’s battles. Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso ֯מי הוא לפניו יתיצב ]] [[ כי מלחמות ייׄיׄ נ֯ לו֯ה Manuscript transcription	46:3 Who before him stood so firm? For he himself brought on the Lord’s wars.	Similar · Hebrew 46:3 — The last Hebrew verb is marked uncertain in the transcription.
Hebrew 46:4 · fragmentary Did not the sun stand still by his hand, one day […]? Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso הלא בידו עמד השמש ]] [[ יום אחד ] ° — [׃ Manuscript transcription	46:4 Was not the sun held back by his hand, and did not one day become as two?	Similar · Hebrew 46:4 — The comparison with two days is lost in this witness. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 46:5 · fragmentary For he called to God Most High when […] and God Most High answered him with stones […]. Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso כי קרא אל אל עליון ]] [[ כאכפׄ הׄ ל ] ° — [ [[ ]] ויענהו אל עליון באבני ] ° — [ל [– ] [ — ] Manuscript transcription	46:5 He called upon the Most High Ruler when enemies pressed him on every side, and the great Lord answered him with hailstones of mighty power.	Similar · Hebrew 46:5 — The surviving prayer and stones correspond to the Greek hailstone account. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
This Hebrew unit spans Greek 46:6, 46:7; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 46:6 · fragmentary […] so that every doomed nation might know that YHWH watches their battle; […] for he followed God fully. Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso; B XVI Recto ]ל– [ ]] [[ וב [– ]° למׄ עׄ ןׄ ]דע[ת כל גוי חרם ]] [[ כי צופה יׄייׄ מלחמתם׃ כי מלא אחרי אל Manuscript transcription Additional folio transcriptions: 2	46:6 He hurled war down upon a nation and destroyed those who resisted on the descent, so that the nations might know his full armament, because his war was before the Lord.	Different · Hebrew 46:6 — Hebrew watches their battle differs from Greek his war before the Lord; the final clause aligns to Greek 46:7. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 46:6–7, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 46:6 The verse’s pronouns may shift between the Lord and Joshua; “before the Lord” preserves ἐναντίον κυρίου rather than turning it into “against the Lord.” “On the descent” is not assigned an unprinted place name.
This Hebrew unit spans Greek 46:6, 46:7; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 46:6 · fragmentary […] so that every doomed nation might know that YHWH watches their battle; […] for he followed God fully. Hebrew witness B · B XV Verso; B XVI Recto ]ל– [ ]] [[ וב [– ]° למׄ עׄ ןׄ ]דע[ת כל גוי חרם ]] [[ כי צופה יׄייׄ מלחמתם׃ כי מלא אחרי אל Manuscript transcription Additional folio transcriptions: 2 Hebrew 46:7 · translated In Moses’ days he acted faithfully, he and Caleb son of Jephunneh, standing when the assembly broke loose, to turn wrath away from the congregation and put an end to an evil report. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto [[ ]] ובימי משה עשה חסד׃ הׄ וׄא וכלב בן יפנה ]] [[ להתיצב בפרע קהל׃ להשיב חרון מעדה ]] [[ ולהשבית דבה רעה׃ Manuscript transcription	46:7 For he followed the Ruler, and in Moses’ days he showed mercy, he and Caleb son of Jephunneh, by standing against the assembly, restraining the people from sin, and stilling wicked grumbling.	Different · Hebrew 46:6 — Hebrew watches their battle differs from Greek his war before the Lord; the final clause aligns to Greek 46:7. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 46:6–7, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Similar · Hebrew 46:7 — Both describe Joshua and Caleb resisting the assembly; Hebrew explicitly turns away wrath.
Hebrew 46:8 · translated Therefore those two were also spared from six hundred thousand foot soldiers, to bring them to their inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto לכם גם הם בׄ שנים נאצלו ]] [[ משש מאות אלף רגלי׃ להביאם אל נחלתם ארץ זבת חלב ודבש׃ Manuscript transcription	46:8 They alone, being two, were preserved from six hundred thousand foot soldiers, to bring them into an inheritance, into a land flowing with milk and honey.	Similar · Hebrew 46:8 — The opening Hebrew is orthographically rough; the two survivors and land agree. Inherited Greek note 46:8 The “them” whom the two bring in remains as printed; the English does not identify it with the dead generation or silently replace it with “their children.”
Hebrew 46:9 · translated He gave Caleb strength, and it remained with him to gray hair, to lead them over the heights of the land; his descendants also inherited an inheritance. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto ויתן לכלב עצמה ]] [[ ועד שיבה עמדה עמו׃ להדריכם֯ ע֯ ל ב֯ מ֯ תי ארץ ]] [[ וגם זׄ רׄ עו ירש נחלה׃ Manuscript transcription	46:9 The Lord gave Caleb strength, and it remained with him until old age, so that he might mount the high places of the land; his offspring possessed an inheritance,	Similar · Hebrew 46:9 — Greek has Caleb mounting the heights; Hebrew leading them.
Hebrew 46:10 · translated So that all Jacob’s offspring might know that it is good to follow YHWH fully. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto למען דע֯ ת֯ כל זׄ רׄ ע יעקב ]] [[ כי טוב ל מלא אחרי ייי׃ Manuscript transcription	46:10 so that all the sons of Israel might see that it is good to walk after the Lord.	Similar · Hebrew 46:10 — Hebrew Jacob’s offspring corresponds to Greek Israel’s sons.
Hebrew 46:11 · translated The judges, each by his name, everyone whose heart was not lifted up and who did not turn back from God—may their memory be a blessing. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto והשופטים איש בשמו ]] [[ כל אשר לא נשא לבו׃ ולא נסוג מאחרי אל ]] [[ יהי זכרם לברכה Manuscript transcription	46:11 The judges too, each by his own name, whose hearts did not prostitute themselves and who did not turn away from the Lord—may their remembrance be among blessings!	Different · Hebrew 46:11 — Hebrew heart not lifted up differs from Greek heart not prostituted.
Hebrew 46:12 · translated May their name continue in their children. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto ושמם תחליף לבניהם׃ Manuscript transcription	46:12 May their bones flourish again from their place, and may their name pass onward to their honored sons.	Different · Hebrew 46:12 — The Hebrew lacks the Greek blessing on their bones flourishing. Inherited Greek note 46:12 The wish concerning the bones is retained as an image without declaring a particular interpretation of resurrection. The final syntax is compressed and relates the continuing name to their sons.
Hebrew 46:13 · translated Loving his people and pleasing his Maker, lent from his mother’s womb, a Nazirite of YHWH in prophecy: Samuel, judge and priest. A prophet of God, he established a kingdom and anointed leaders over the people. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto אוהב עמׄ וׄ ורצוי עושהו ]] [[ המשואל מבטן אמו׃ ]] נ֯ ז֯ יׄר ייי בנבואה [[ שמואל שופט ומכהן׃ נ]בי[א֯ אל הכין ממלכת ]] [[ וימשח נגידים על עם׃ Manuscript transcription	46:13 Beloved by his Lord, Samuel, the Lord’s prophet, established a kingdom and anointed rulers over His people.	Different · Hebrew 46:13 — Hebrew adds Nazirite, womb, judge, and priest, and says loving his people rather than beloved by his Lord.
Hebrew 46:14 · fragmentary By […] the congregation […] and the God of Jacob visited […]. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto ]ב– °°°[וה עדה ]] [[ ויפקד אלהי יעקב׃ Manuscript transcription	46:14 By the Lord’s law he judged the assembly, and the Lord visited Jacob.	Similar · Hebrew 46:14 — Only a small part of the clause survives securely. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 46:15 · fragmentary By […] he saw […] and also by his word a faithful shepherd. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto ]ב– °°° °°°[ש חזה ]] [[ וגם בדברו נאמן רועה׃ Manuscript transcription	46:15 By his faithfulness he was proved a prophet, and through his words he was known to be trustworthy in vision.	Different · Hebrew 46:15 — The surviving Hebrew calls him a faithful shepherd; Greek speaks of trustworthiness in vision. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 46:16 · fragmentary He also […] to God […] his enemies round about; when he offered […] […]. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto וגם הׄ ו֯]א– °°°[ [ ]] ע֯ ל א֯ ל ] ° [ — [ל] [א֯ י֯ביו מסביב׃ ] בעלתו– [ל [– ] Manuscript transcription	46:16 He called upon the Lord, the Ruler, when his enemies pressed him on every side, with an offering of a suckling lamb.	Similar · Hebrew 46:16 — Too much is lost for detailed alignment. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 46:17 · fragmentary […] His voice was heard with a mighty crash. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto [[ ]] [ — ]° בפקע אדיר נשמע קולו Manuscript transcription	46:17 The Lord thundered from heaven and made His voice heard with a great sound.	Similar · Hebrew 46:17 — The audible divine intervention agrees. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 46:18 · translated He subdued the enemy’s governors and destroyed all the Philistine lords. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Recto ] ֯ויכנע נציבי צר ויאב֯ ד– [כ֯ ל֯ סרני פלשתים׃ Manuscript transcription	46:18 He destroyed the leaders of the Tyrians and all the rulers of the Philistines.	Different · Hebrew 46:18 — Hebrew enemy differs from the Greek Tyrians. Inherited Greek note 46:18 “Tyrians,” Τυρίων, is the actual Greek here; it is not harmonized to another national name from Samuel’s narrative.
Hebrew 46:19 · fragmentary When he rested upon his bed, he called YHWH and His anointed to witness: From whom have I taken a ransom or sandals? [Marginal addition: And no one answered against him.] Hebrew witness B · B XVI Verso ועת נוחו על משכבו העיד ייי ומשיחו כופר ונעלם ממ]י לקח[תי ׃ <<וכׄ ל֯ א֯ ד֯ ם֯ ל֯ א֯ ע֯ נ֯ ה֯ ב֯ ו֯>> Manuscript transcription	46:19 Before the time of his everlasting sleep, he testified before the Lord and His anointed: “I have taken no property—not even sandals—from any human being.” And no person brought an accusation against him.	Similar · Hebrew 46:19 — The Hebrew includes a rhetorical question and a marginal no-accusation clause; the question’s last words are partly restored. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note 46:19 Χριστοῦ is “anointed” in its royal context; it is not capitalized as a direct identification with Jesus Christ.
Hebrew 46:20 · translated Even until his end he was found discerning in the eyes of YHWH and of every living being. After his death he was also consulted; he told the king his ways and lifted his voice from the earth in prophecy. Hebrew witness B · B XVI Verso וגם עד עת קצו נבון נמצא בעיני ייי ובע֯ י֯ני כל חי׃ [[ ]] וגם אחרי מותו נדרש ויגד למלך דרכיו וישא מארץ קולו בנבוא]ה ׃[ Manuscript transcription	46:20 Even after he fell asleep, he prophesied and showed the king his end. He raised his voice from the earth in prophecy to wipe out the people’s lawlessness.	Different · Hebrew 46:20 — Hebrew includes his wisdom before death and consultation after death; Greek speaks of the king’s end and removing lawlessness. Inherited Greek note 46:20 The source attributes this posthumous prophecy to Samuel; the wording is preserved without substituting an alternative speaker or resolving later interpretive disputes.

Source and numbering

Hebrew English is newly translated from the manuscript-specific transcriptions in The Book of Ben Sira portal. Each translated unit identifies its selected witness and folio. This is a selected-witness working edition, not an exhaustive collation of every manuscript or a reconstruction of lost Hebrew. Brackets and fragmentary status identify uncertainty; no Greek text has been back-translated to fill Hebrew gaps.

The Greek-source English and its notes are inherited from the existing Sirach edition. The comparison categories are provisional editorial assessments against that English; this update is not a fresh verification of every Greek reading or its apparatus.

Working translation preserved from the recovered manuscript of 8 September 2026. Declared source: Septuaginta, Rahlfs–Hanhart, 2006, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, publisher’s Greek main text. Independent linguistic and critical-apparatus review remains outstanding. Source-access and reception claims in the inherited notes have not been freshly revalidated. Chapter and section headings are editorial.

The translator’s prologue is separate from the 51 chapters. Its eight source units map to publisher labels 1, 1a–1g; main-text 1:1 maps to 1h. Source 5:15 includes material often numbered 6:1, so chapter 6 begins at 6:2. Source label gaps are preserved; no text is invented.