Abstract
Caleb is a secondary character in several episodes of the Exodus as well as the conquest of the Promised Land (Numbers 13–14; Josh 14:6-14). Praise of the Ancestors (Syr 44–49) contains a presentation of the biblical history of ancient Israel as the history of the covenant and a place of God's intervention. Sirach presents, according to his own criteria, the most relevant and positive characters of this history. Caleb in Sirach’s description (46:7-10) is a faithful scout, who, together with Joshua, in the face of the rebellion of the Israelites, bears witness to an exemplary trust in God and encourages the Israelites to follow his lead. His courage and faithfulness are rewarded by receiving an inheritance of the piece of land in the Promised Land, which then becomes the property of his offspring. In the brief account of Sirach, Caleb has become a timeless example of the wise man – a sage who lives according to the word of God and encourages others to take up this challenge.
Highlights
In Praise of the Fathers (Sir 44–49), Sirach, the sage of Jerusalem, presents the heroes of Israel’s history deserving of remembrance and recognition
Caleb is a secondary character in several episodes of the Exodus as well as the conquest of the Promised Land (Num 13–14; Josh 14:6-14)
In Sirach’s description (46:7-10), Caleb is a faithful scout, who, together with Joshua, faced with the rebellion of the Israelites, bears witness to an exemplary trust in God and encourages the Israelites to follow his lead. His courage and faithfulness are rewarded by receiving an inheritance of some ground in the Promised Land, which becomes the property of his offspring
Summary
Ben Sira’s Hymn in Praise of the Fathers (Chicago, IL – London: University of praise begins and ends in 50:24 in a reference the present day, as the ending of the first part related to the Torah (cf Sir 44:16-Sir 45:26).[26] Adopting the canonical criterion, Alon Goshen-Gottstein distinguishes the “Prophets” stage which follows the “Torah” stage.[27] Jean Louis Ska describes this stage of history in a similar manner (cf Sir 46:1–49:10).[28] Firstly, Joshua (cf Sir 46:1-8), Caleb (cf Sir 46:7-10) and the Judges (collectively; cf Sir 46:11-12)[29] appear, representing two concepts of the Promised Land conquest (Joshua’s quick and the peaceful infiltration of the Judges period). In 46:10ab the Israelites are supposed to see that it is worth following the Lord
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