Sirach — Chapter 40 — Hebrew–Greek comparison
Human Toil and Enduring Good
| Hebrew–English · Literal-Smooth | Greek–English · Literal-Smooth | Classification & Notes |
|---|---|---|
Hebrew 40:1 · translated God has allotted great toil, and a heavy yoke lies upon humankind, from the day one leaves one’s mother’s womb until the day one returns to the mother of all living. Hebrew witness B · IX verso, lines 1–18עסק גדול חלק אל ועול כבד על בני אדם מיום צאתו מרחם אמו עד יום שובו אל אם כל חי | Great occupation was created for every person, and a heavy yoke lies upon Adam’s sons, from the day they leave their mother’s womb until the day they return to the mother of all: | Similar · Hebrew 40:1 — Hebrew all living expands Greek mother of all. Inherited Greek note40:1 Mother of all is the earth in the return image; the source’s two mothers are retained. |
No Hebrew text is available in the selected manuscript coverage for this unit. This is a source gap, not a classified omission. | their thoughts and fear of heart, anxious expectation, the day of death. | Not classified. No paired Hebrew reading is supplied. Inherited Greek note40:2 The compressed nominal sequence continues the description of humanity’s burden. |
Hebrew 40:3 · translated From the one seated on a lofty throne to the one clothed in dust and ashes. Hebrew witness B · IX verso, lines 1–18מיושב כסא לגבה עד לשוב <לובש> עפר ואפר | From the one seated upon a glorious throne to the one brought low in earth and ashes, | Similar · Hebrew 40:3 — Uses marginal לובש “clothed” for the difficult main לשוב. |
Hebrew 40:4 · fragmentary From one wrapped in turban and diadem to one wrapped in a garment of […]. This Hebrew unit spans Greek 40:4, 40:5; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 40:5 · fragmentary Only jealousy, worry, and fear; terror of death, vexation, [strife]. And at the time of rest on his bed, the sleep of night […]. Hebrew witness B · IX verso, lines 1–18אך קנאה דאגה ופחד אימת מות תהרה [ריב] ועת נוחו על משכבו שינת לילה […] | from the one wearing blue and a crown to the one clothed in raw linen, there are anger, jealousy, trouble, upheaval, fear of death, resentment, and strife. | Similar · Hebrew 40:4 — Clothing at the end is damaged; not completed from Greek. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Similar · Hebrew 40:5 — The first list aligns Greek 40:4; the sleep clause aligns 40:5. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 40:4–5, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. Inherited Greek note40:4 All seven burdens and both clothing contrasts are retained. |
This Hebrew unit spans Greek 40:4, 40:5; repeated here for alignment. Its classification applies to the combined passage. Hebrew 40:5 · fragmentary Only jealousy, worry, and fear; terror of death, vexation, [strife]. And at the time of rest on his bed, the sleep of night […]. Hebrew witness B · IX verso, lines 1–18אך קנאה דאגה ופחד אימת מות תהרה [ריב] ועת נוחו על משכבו שינת לילה […] | Even at the time of rest upon a bed, night’s sleep alters his awareness. | Similar · Hebrew 40:5 — The first list aligns Greek 40:4; the sleep clause aligns 40:5. The comparison applies to the combined Greek units 40:4–5, whose boundaries differ from this Hebrew unit. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:6 · fragmentary A little emptiness: for a moment he is still, and considers in drea[ms …]; a little wandering from his soul’s vision, like a survivor […] pursuer. Hebrew witness B · IX verso, lines 1–18מעט לרוק כרגע ישקוט ומבין בחלו[מות …] מעט טע מחזון נפשו כשריד […] רודף | He rests a little, almost nothing; then in sleep, as on a day of keeping watch, he is troubled by his heart’s vision, like someone who escaped from battle. | Not classified · Hebrew 40:6 — Damaged and difficult main Hebrew; Greek’s smoother dream narrative is not substituted. No five-category semantic verdict is assigned to this fragment. |
Hebrew 40:7 · fragmentary […] still […] and his appearance […]. | At his time of need he woke, marveling that there was nothing to fear. | Not classified · Hebrew 40:7 — Too fragmentary for a reliable complete translation. No five-category semantic verdict is assigned to this fragment. Inherited Greek note40:7 The dream’s threat and the waking recognition remain distinct. |
Hebrew 40:8 · fragmentary […] all […]. | This is with all flesh, from human being to beast, and for sinners sevenfold beyond these things: | Not classified · Hebrew 40:8 — Too fragmentary for a meaningful comparison. No five-category semantic verdict is assigned to this fragment. |
Hebrew 40:9 · fragmentary Pla[g]ue and blood, strife and sword, devastation and ruin, evil and death. | death, blood, strife, sword, calamities, famine, crushing, and scourge. | Similar · Hebrew 40:9 — The calamity list differs in its specific terms from Greek famine/scourge. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:10 · fragmentary Evil was created against wickedness, and on account of […] destruction moves away. | All these things were created against the lawless, and because of them the flood occurred. | Not classified · Hebrew 40:10 — The second clause is corrupt; margin reads “on his account evil moves away.” Greek explicitly names the flood. No five-category semantic verdict is assigned to this fragment. |
Hebrew 40:11 · translated Everything from earth returns to earth, and what is from on high returns on high. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18כל מארץ אל ארץ ישוב ואשר ממרום אל מרום | Everything from earth returns to earth, and what comes from waters returns to the sea. | Different · Hebrew 40:11 — Greek’s second pair is waters/sea, not height/height. |
Hebrew 40:12 · fragmentary Every […] | Every bribe and injustice will be erased, but faithfulness will stand forever. | Not classified · Hebrew 40:12 — Only the beginning of the Masada line survives; the full Greek statement about bribes/injustice and faithfulness is not reconstructed. Inherited Greek note40:12 Bribe renders δῶρον in its pairing with injustice, rather than condemning every generous gift. |
Hebrew 40:13 · translated From sand to sand, like an enduring torrent, and from a mighty channel with thunderbolts. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18מחול אל חול כנחל איתן ומאפיק אדיר בחזיז קולות | The wealth of the unjust will dry up like a river and resound like great thunder in rain. | Different · Hebrew 40:13 — Main Hebrew is difficult; margin חיל מחיל suggests wealth, closer to Greek’s wealth of the unjust. |
Hebrew 40:14 · translated When it rises, hands rejoice, for suddenly it comes to an end forever. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18עם עם שאתו כפים יגילו כי פתאם לנצח יתם | When he opens his hands, he will rejoice; so transgressors will cease completely. | Similar · Hebrew 40:14 — The doubled עם and referent remain uncertain; both witnesses preserve an unusual rejoicing-hands clause. Inherited Greek note40:14 The unusual “opens his hands” and “will rejoice” wording was visually confirmed in Swete, p. 727. Its subject and connection to the preceding river image remain unresolved. No conjectured riverbanks or torrents are supplied. [SWETE-SIR] |
Hebrew 40:15 · translated One formed from violence will not be innocent, for the root of the godless is on a rocky crag. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18נוצר מחמס לא ינקה כי שורש חנף על שן סלע | The offspring of the ungodly will not multiply branches, and unclean roots rest upon sheer rock. | Different · Hebrew 40:15 — Hebrew main text innocence differs from Greek failure to branch; Hebrew margin instead reads “a shoot of violence will not strike [root].” |
Hebrew 40:16 · translated Like axes beside a stream, they fade before every rain. | Reed grass beside every water and riverbank will be plucked out before all other grass. | Different · Hebrew 40:16 — Main Hebrew קרדמות is difficult here; Greek has a water plant pulled before other grass. Inherited Greek note40:16 Reed grass provisionally renders the plant term ἄχι; no precise modern botanical species is asserted. |
Hebrew 40:17 · translated Kindness will never totter, and righteousness will stand forever. | Kindness is like a garden amid blessings, and almsgiving will remain forever. | Similar · Hebrew 40:17 — Greek’s first clause compares kindness to a garden; Hebrew affirms permanence. |
Hebrew 40:18 · translated A life of wine and strong drink is sweet; better than both is finding treasure. | The life of a self-sufficient person and a worker will be sweet, but above both is the one who finds treasure. | Different · Hebrew 40:18 — Greek self-sufficiency and work differ from the Hebrew main wine/drink; margin also varies. |
Hebrew 40:19 · translated A child and a city establish a name; better than both is finding wisdom. Offspring and planting make a name flourish; better than both is a desired wife. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18ילד ועיר יעמידו שם ומשניהם מוצא חכמה שגר ונטע יפריחו שם ומשניהם אשה נחשקת | Children and the building of a city establish a name, but a blameless wife is reckoned above both. | Different · Hebrew 40:19 — Hebrew has two paired sayings, including finding wisdom; Greek combines child/city with a blameless wife. |
Hebrew 40:20 · translated Wine and strong drink gladden the heart; better than both is lovers’ affection. | Wine and music gladden the heart, but love of wisdom is above both. | Different · Hebrew 40:20 — Greek music/love of wisdom differs from Hebrew strong drink/erotic affection. |
Hebrew 40:21 · fragmentary Fl[u]te and harp make song sweet; better than both is a pure tongue. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18חל[י]ל ונבל יעריבו שיר ומשניהם לשון ברה | Flute and harp sweeten melodies, but a pleasant tongue is above both. | Similar · Hebrew 40:21 — Greek pleasant tongue rather than pure. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:22 · fragmentary […] delight the eye; better than both are the growths of the field. | An eye desires grace and beauty, but above both the green growth of a crop. | Similar · Hebrew 40:22 — The two desirable things in the opening are lost. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:23 · fragmentary […] lead; better than both is an understanding wife. | Friend and companion meet at the right time, but above both is a wife with her husband. | Different · Hebrew 40:23 — The preserved Hebrew describes a prudent wife; Greek a wife with her husband. An unrelated marginal quotation is not made part of the verse. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:24 · fragmentary A brother […] trouble; better than both is righteousness that rescues. | Brothers and help are for a time of affliction, but almsgiving will rescue beyond both. | Similar · Hebrew 40:24 — Damaged first half; shared saving righteousness/almsgiving. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:25 · fragmentary Gold and sil[ver … foo]t; better than [both …]. | Gold and silver will make the foot firm, but counsel proves better than both. | Not classified · Hebrew 40:25 — Greek’s complete counsel comparison is not supplied into the gaps. No five-category semantic verdict is assigned to this fragment. |
Hebrew 40:26 · fragmentary Wealth and strength gla[d]den the heart; better than both is fear of God. In fear of YHWH there is no lack, and with it there is no need to seek supp[o]rt. Hebrew witness B · X recto, lines 1–18חיל וכח יגי[ל]ו לב ומשניהם יראת אלהים אין ביראת ייי מחסור ואין לבקש עמה מ[ש]ען | Money and strength will lift the heart, but fear of the Lord is above both. There is no lack in the fear of the Lord, and in it there is no need to seek help. | Similar · Hebrew 40:26 — Continues on X verso line 1; close sense throughout. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:27 · translated Fear of God is like a garden of blessing, and so all glory covers it. | The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing, and it shelters a person beyond all glory. | Different · Hebrew 40:27 — Hebrew’s last clause is difficult; Greek says it shelters beyond all glory. Inherited Greek note40:27 A person supplies the antecedent of the final him; the sheltering force is retained. |
Hebrew 40:28 · translated My son, do not live a life dependent on gifts; better to be gathered away than to beg. Hebrew witness B · X verso, lines 2–18מני <בני> חיי מתן אל תחי טוב נאסף ממסתולל | Child, do not live a life of begging; it is better to die than to beg. | Similar · Hebrew 40:28 — Uses marginal בני “my son”; Hebrew gathered away is a death euphemism. Inherited Greek note40:28 The severe ancient maxim is translated as a textual statement, without adding a directive to cause death. |
Hebrew 40:29 · fragmentary A man watching a stranger’s table has no life to count as life; he defiles his soul with its delicacy. […] for a man who knows the secret of the bowels. Hebrew witness B · X verso, lines 2–18איש משגיח על שלחן זר אין חייו למנות חיים מעגל נפש מטעמו לאיש יודע סוד מעים | A man who looks toward another’s table has no livelihood reckoned as life; he will defile his soul with others’ dishes. But a knowledgeable and instructed man will guard himself. | Different · Hebrew 40:29 — The closing main-text Hebrew is corrupt; margin offers “the knowledgeable man turns away,” closer to Greek. Classification assesses only the surviving/readable wording, not lost portions. |
Hebrew 40:30 · translated Begging tastes sweet to a bold-souled man, but inside him it burns like fire. Hebrew witness B · X verso, lines 2–18לאיש עוז נפש תמתיק שאלה ובקרבו תבער כמו אש | Begging will be sweet in a shameless person’s mouth, but fire will burn in his belly. | Similar · Hebrew 40:30 — Both contrast apparent sweetness and inward burning. |
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.