volume 12, issue 2, 2020, pages 198-226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64438/sbsDFFF5972
Published online: 2020-12-01
Published in print: 2020-12-30

Abstract: Within Ben Sira’s Praise of the Ancestors, the poem on Elijah occurs in the middle of the Prophets Section (Sir 46:1–49:10). This section of 120 bicola, beginning with Joshua (46:1: “Moses’ servant in prophecy”) and ending with “the Twelve Prophets” (49:10), displays
a canonical concern by referring in traditional sequence to Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Prophets. The Hebrew poem on Elijah is framed with allusions to the last of the Minor Prophets, since Elijah is first described as one whose
words were like “a burning furnace” (echoing Mal 3:19) and later depicted (“as it is written”) having the task “to bring back the heart of fathers towards sons” (echoing Mal 3:23-24). Drawing on the abundant references to fire in the Deuteronomistic narrative about the prophet
(1 Kgs 17–2 Kgs 2), Ben Sira aptly dubs him “a prophet like fire” (48:1), and in keeping with his prophetic role, Ben Sira emphasizes his connection with God’s word (v. 3). Thereafter, Ben Sira focuses on Elijah’s mighty deeds, ending with his ascent into heaven.