PriestSacred blessing

Sirach — Chapter 50 — Hebrew–Greek comparison

Simon the high priest and the blessing of Israel

Saints Translation · V2 · Hebrew–Greek working comparison

Sirach 50 · 29 source units
Hebrew–English · Literal-Smooth	Greek–English · Literal-Smooth	Classification & Notes
Hebrew 50:1 · translated Great among his brothers and the splendor of his people: Simon son of Johanan, the priest. In his generation the House was cared for, and in his days the sanctuary was strengthened. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto גדול אחיו ותפארת עמו ]] [[ שמעון בן יוחנן הכהן׃ ]] אשר בדורו נפקד הבית [[ ובימיו חזק היכל׃ Manuscript transcription	50:1 Simon son of Onias, the high priest, repaired the house in his lifetime and strengthened the sanctuary in his days.	Different · Hebrew 50:1 — Hebrew Johanan differs from Greek Onias and adds the opening praise. Inherited Greek note 50:1 The Greek name and patronymic are retained without inserting an identification as Simon the First or Second.
Hebrew 50:2 · translated In his days a wall was built, the corners of a dwelling in the King’s temple. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto אשר בימיו נבנה קיר ]] [[ פנות מעון בהיכל מלך׃ Manuscript transcription	50:2 By him the height of the double wall was founded, a high retaining wall around the sacred precinct.	Different · Hebrew 50:2 — The architectural description differs from Greek double wall and retaining wall. Inherited Greek note 50:2 “Wall” supplies the structure understood after διπλῆς, “double”; the exact architecture is not reconstructed.
Hebrew 50:3 · translated In his generation a reservoir was dug; [uncertain wording: I will speak of them in its abundance]. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto אשר בדורו נכרה מקוה ]] [[ אשיח בם בהמונו׃ Manuscript transcription	50:3 In his days a water reservoir was hewn out, a cistern whose circumference was like a sea.	Different · Hebrew 50:3 — The second Hebrew clause is difficult and rendered literally; Greek compares the cistern to a sea.
Hebrew 50:4 · translated He cared for his people against sudden destruction and strengthened his city against an enemy. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto הדואג לעמו מחתף ]] [[ ומחזק עירו מצר׃ Manuscript transcription	50:4 He cared for his people against a fall and strengthened the city against a siege.	Similar · Hebrew 50:4 — Greek fall and siege express a closely related concern.
Hebrew 50:5 · translated How majestic as he looked out from the tent and came from the house of the curtain! Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto מה נהדר בהשגיחו מאהל ]] [[ ובצאתו מבית הפרכת׃ Manuscript transcription	50:5 How glorious he was with the people surrounding him, when he came out from the house of the curtain!	Different · Hebrew 50:5 — Hebrew looking from the tent differs from Greek surrounded by people. Inherited Greek note 50:5 The source’s “house of the curtain” is retained as a sanctuary expression without claiming a precise ritual occasion absent from the verse.
Hebrew 50:6 · translated Like a star of light among clouds, like the full moon in the days of the appointed feast. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto ככוכב אור מבין עבים ]] [[ וכירח מלא מבין בימי מועד׃ Manuscript transcription	50:6 He was like the morning star among clouds, like the full moon in its days,	Similar · Hebrew 50:6 — Hebrew specifies festival days.
Hebrew 50:7 · translated Like the sun shining upon the King’s temple, like a rainbow seen in a cloud. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto וכשמש משרקת אל היכל המלך ]] [[ וכקשת נראתה בענן׃ Manuscript transcription	50:7 like the sun shining upon the sanctuary of the Most High, and like the rainbow gleaming in clouds of glory,	Similar · Hebrew 50:7 — Greek names the Most High rather than the King and clouds of glory.
Hebrew 50:8 · translated Like a blossom among branches in festival days, like a lily by watercourses, like a flower of Lebanon in summer days. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto כנצבענפי בימי מועד ]] [[ וכשושן על יבלי מים׃ כפרח לבנון ביׄמׄ יׄ קיץ ]] [[ Manuscript transcription	50:8 like a rose blossom in the days of new growth, like lilies beside an outflow of water, like a shoot of Lebanon in summer days,	Similar · Hebrew 50:8 — The first Hebrew plant expression is textually compressed; both witnesses use floral comparisons. Inherited Greek note 50:8 “Days of new growth” represents the elliptical ἐν ἡμέραις νέων; the specific season or botanical referent is not supplied as certain.
Hebrew 50:9 · fragmentary Like the fire of frankincense upon the offering; like a golden vessel, a […] form, set with precious stones. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto וכאש לבונה על המנחה׃ ככלי זהב ת֯ ב֯ ]ני[ת֯ א°יל ]] [[ הנאחז על אבני חפץ׃ Manuscript transcription	50:9 like fire and frankincense upon a firepan, like a vessel of beaten gold adorned with every costly stone,	Similar · Hebrew 50:9 — Hebrew offering contrasts with Greek firepan; the vessel description is damaged. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 50:10 · translated Like a flourishing olive full of berries, like an oil tree with luxuriant branches. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Recto כזית רענן מלא גרגר ]] [[ וכעץ שמן מרוה ענף׃ Manuscript transcription	50:10 like an olive tree flourishing with fruit, and like a cypress rising into the clouds.	Different · Hebrew 50:10 — Hebrew oil tree and branches differ from Greek cypress rising into clouds.
Hebrew 50:11 · translated When he put on glorious garments and clothed himself in splendid garments, when he ascended the majestic altar, he made the sanctuary court magnificent. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso בעטותו בגדי כבוד ]] [[ והתלבשו בגדי תפארת׃ בעלותו על מזבח הוד ]] [[ ויהדר עזרת מקדש׃ Manuscript transcription	50:11 When he took up the robe of glory and clothed himself with the fullness of splendor, as he ascended the holy altar he glorified the sanctuary’s enclosure.	Similar · Hebrew 50:11 — The vesting and altar ascent agree.
Hebrew 50:12 · translated When he received the portions from his brothers’ hands, standing beside the arranged offerings, a crown of sons surrounded him like cedar plantings in Lebanon. They encircled him like willows of a stream. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso בקבלו נתחים מיד אחיו ]] [[ והוא נצב על מערכות׃ סביב לו עטרת בנים ]] [[ כשתילי ארזים בלבנון׃ ויקיפוהו כערבי נחל Manuscript transcription	50:12 When he received portions from the priests’ hands, standing himself beside the altar hearth, a crown of brothers surrounded him, like a growth of cedars in Lebanon; they encircled him like palm trunks,	Different · Hebrew 50:12 — Hebrew crown of sons and willows differ from Greek brothers and palm trunks. Inherited Greek note 50:12 The portions are sacrificial animal parts in context; “brothers” retains the priestly familial designation.
Hebrew 50:13 · translated All Aaron’s sons in their glory, YHWH’s offerings by fire in their hands before the entire assembly of Israel. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso [[ ]] כל בני אהרן בכבודם׃ ואשי ייי בידם ]] [[ נגד כל קהל ישראל׃ Manuscript transcription	50:13 all the sons of Aaron in their glory, with the Lord’s offering in their hands before the whole assembly of Israel.	Similar · Hebrew 50:13 — The priestly scene closely agrees.
Hebrew 50:14 · translated Until he finished ministering at the altar and arranging the Most High’s offerings. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso עד כלותו לשרת מזבח ]] [[ ולסדר מערכות עליון׃ Manuscript transcription	50:14 As he completed his ministry at the altars, adorning the offering of the Most High Almighty,	Similar · Hebrew 50:14 — Hebrew altar is singular, unlike Greek altars. Inherited Greek note 50:14 The source has plural “altars” here, despite singular expressions nearby.
No Hebrew text is available in the selected manuscript coverage for this unit. This is a source gap, not a classified omission.	50:15 he stretched his hand over the libation vessel and poured a drink offering from the blood of the grape. He poured it at the altar’s foundations, a pleasing fragrance to the Most High, King of all.	Not classified. No paired Hebrew reading is supplied. Inherited Greek note 50:15 “Blood of the grape” retains the wine image; “King of all” renders παμβασιλεύς.
Hebrew 50:16 · translated Then Aaron’s sons, the priests, sounded the hammered trumpets; they sounded and made a mighty voice heard, as a remembrance before the Most High. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso אז יריעו בני אהרן הכהנים ]] [[ בחצצרות מקשה׃ ויריעו וישמיעו קול אדיר ]] [[ להזכיר לפני עליון׃ Manuscript transcription	50:16 Then the sons of Aaron cried out and sounded their hammered trumpets. They made a great sound heard as a remembrance before the Most High.	Similar · Hebrew 50:16 — The trumpets and remembrance agree.
Hebrew 50:17 · translated All flesh together hastened and fell facedown to the ground to bow before the Most High, before the Holy One of Israel. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso כל בשר יחדו נמהרו ]] [[ ויפלו על פניהם ארצה׃ להשתחות לפני עליון ]] [[ לפני קדוש ישראל׃ Manuscript transcription	50:17 Then all the people together hurried and fell facedown upon the earth to worship their Lord, the Almighty God Most High.	Similar · Hebrew 50:17 — Hebrew Holy One of Israel differs from Greek Almighty God Most High.
Hebrew 50:18 · translated The song gave its voice, and over the multitude they arranged his lamp. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso ויתן השיר קולו ]] [[ ועל המון העריכו נרו׃ Manuscript transcription	50:18 The psalm singers praised with their voices; amid a very great sound the melody grew sweet.	Different · Hebrew 50:18 — The Hebrew lamp clause is obscure and retained literally; Greek describes sweet melody amid great sound.
Hebrew 50:19 · translated All the people of the land cried out in prayer before the Merciful One, until he completed his ministry at the altar and his rites reached their completion. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso וירנו כל עם הארץ ]] [[ בתפלה לפני רחום׃ עד כלותו לשרת מזבח ]] [[ ומשפטיו הגיע אליו׃ Manuscript transcription	50:19 The people entreated the Lord Most High in prayer before the Merciful One, until the Lord’s ceremony was completed and they finished His service.	Similar · Hebrew 50:19 — The Hebrew final pronoun is ambiguous; the translation follows the ritual context. Inherited Greek note 50:19 Κόσμος is the ordered arrangement or adornment of the rite, here rendered “ceremony”; it does not mean the created world in this setting.
Hebrew 50:20 · translated Then he came down and lifted his hands over the whole assembly of Israel, YHWH’s blessing on his lips, and gloried in YHWH’s name. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso אז ירד ונשא ידיו ]] [[ על כל קהל ישראל׃ [[ ]] וברכת ייי בשפתיו ובשם ייי התפאר׃ Manuscript transcription	50:20 Then he came down and raised his hands over the whole assembly of the sons of Israel, to give the Lord’s blessing from his lips and to glory in His name.	Similar · Hebrew 50:20 — The priestly blessing agrees.
Hebrew 50:21 · fragmentary They fell down again a second time, […] the [blessing of God] from his presence. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso וישנו לנפל שנית ]] [[ ב֯ ר֯ ]כת א[ל מ֯ פניו׃ Manuscript transcription	50:21 They bowed down a second time to receive the blessing from the Most High.	Similar · Hebrew 50:21 — The blessing phrase is partly restored in the transcription. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions.
Hebrew 50:22 · translated Now bless YHWH, the God of Israel, who works wonders on earth, who raises a person from the womb and fashions him according to His will. Hebrew witness B · B XIX Verso; B XX Recto עתה ברכו נא את ייי אלהי ישראל המפלא לעשות בארץ׃ המגדל אדם מרחם ]] [[ ויעשהו כרצונו׃ Manuscript transcription Additional folio transcriptions: 2	50:22 And now bless the God of all, who does great things everywhere, who exalts our days from the womb and deals with us according to His mercy.	Different · Hebrew 50:22 — Hebrew God of Israel and according to His will contrast with Greek God of all and according to His mercy.
Hebrew 50:23 · translated May He give you wisdom of heart, and may there be peace among you. Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto יתׄ ן לכם חכמת לבב ]] [[ ויהי בשלום ביניכם׃ Manuscript transcription	50:23 May He give us gladness of heart, and may there be peace in Israel in our days, throughout the days of eternity.	Different · Hebrew 50:23 — Hebrew wisdom and you contrast with Greek gladness and us; the Greek extends peace throughout eternity.
Hebrew 50:24 · translated May His faithfulness endure with Simon, and may He establish for him Phinehas’s covenant, which shall not be cut off from him or his descendants, as long as the days of heaven. Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto יאמן עׄ ם שמעון חסדו ]] [[ ויקם לו ברית פינחס׃ אשר לא יכ֯ רת לו ולזרעו ]] [[ כימי שמים׃ Manuscript transcription	50:24 May He entrust His mercy to us, and in our days may He redeem us.	Divergent · Hebrew 50:24 — Hebrew explicitly blesses Simon and the perpetual Phinehas covenant; Greek asks mercy and redemption for us. Inherited Greek note 50:24 Ἐμπιστεύσαι is rendered “entrust”; the wording does not explicitly say that an already entrusted mercy is withdrawn or renewed.
Hebrew 50:25 · translated My soul loathes two nations, and the third is no people: Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto בשני גוים קצה נפשי ]] [[ והשלישית איננו עם׃ Manuscript transcription	50:25 My soul is disgusted with two nations, and the third is no nation:	Similar · Hebrew 50:25 — Both retain the author’s hostile historical description.
Hebrew 50:26 · translated The inhabitants of Seir and Philistia, and the foolish nation dwelling in Shechem. Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto יושבי שעיר ופלשת ]] [[ וגוי נבל הדר בשכם׃ Manuscript transcription	50:26 those who sit on Mount Samaria, the Philistines, and the foolish people who dwell in Shechem.	Different · Hebrew 50:26 — Hebrew Seir differs from Greek Mount Samaria. Inherited Greek note 50:26 The author’s hostile historical description is retained as source language. “Mount Samaria” is not replaced by a different mountain from another textual tradition.
Hebrew 50:27 · translated Instruction in understanding and a proverb aptly framed, by Simon son of Jeshua son of Eleazar son of Sira, who poured forth [uncertain wording: an interpretation of the heart] and expressed understanding. Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto מוסר שכל ומושל אופנים ]] [[ לשמעון בן ישוע בן אלעזר בן סירא׃ אשר ניבע בפתור לבן ]] [[ ואשר הביע בתבונות׃ Manuscript transcription	50:27 Jesus son of Sirach Eleazar, the Jerusalemite, inscribed instruction in understanding and knowledge in this book; he poured wisdom like rain from his heart.	Different · Hebrew 50:27 — Hebrew genealogy begins Simon son of Jeshua; Greek names Jesus son of Sirach Eleazar and Jerusalem. The Hebrew heart phrase is textually difficult. Inherited Greek note 50:27 The publisher’s order Ἰησοῦς υἱὸς Σιραχ Ελεαζαρ is also printed in Swete, p. 752, with his spelling Σειράχ. “Eleazar” is retained without rearranging the genealogy into “Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach.” Jesus here is the book’s author, not Jesus Christ. [SWETE-SIR]
Hebrew 50:28 · translated Blessed is the man who meditates on these things; whoever takes them to heart will become wise. Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto אשרי איש באלה יהגה ]] [[ ונותן על לבו יחכם׃ Manuscript transcription	50:28 Blessed is the one who occupies himself with these things; by setting them upon his heart he will become wise.	Similar · Hebrew 50:28 — The blessing and wisdom agree.
Hebrew 50:29 · translated For the fear of YHWH is life. Hebrew witness B · B XX Recto כי יראת ייי חיים ]] [[ Manuscript transcription	50:29 For if he does them, he will be strong for everything, because the Lord’s light is his path.	Different · Hebrew 50:29 — Hebrew differs from Greek strength for everything and the Lord’s light as his path. Inherited Greek note 50:29 The final pronoun may be read in relation to the person walking or to the Lord; “his path” leaves the immediate human referent available without adding a possessive name.

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.