Sirach 35:12-17
Proper 25C
12 GiveA to the Most HighB as he has givenC to you
and as generouslyD as you can afford.E
A “give” = didomi. To give, offer, place, bestow, deliver. This is give in a literal or figurative sense.
B “Most High” = Hupistos. 13x in NT. From hupsos (height, high position, heaven, dignity, eminence; elevation, altitude; to be exalted); from hupsi (on high, aloft); from huper (over, above, beyond) This is highest, heights, heaven. It can also refer to God as Most High or the Supreme One.
C “given” = dosis. Related to “give” in v12. 2x in NT. From didomi (see note A above). This is giving itself or what is given – a gift or donation.
D “generously” = en + agathos + ophthalmos. Agathos is good, a benefit, or a good thing. It is good by its very nature, intrinsically good. A different word, kalos, refers to external signs of goodness. Ophthalmos is from optanomai (to appear, be seen by); from horao (become, seem, appear). This is eye or sight. It is used figuratively for the mind’s eye, a vision, or for envy.
E “can afford” = eurema + cheir. Eurema is from heurisko (to find, learn, or obtain; to discover something, which generally implies a period of searching for it; to find in a literal or figurative sense). This is a discovery, invention, or gain. It can imply profit. See https://2001translation.org/concordance/%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B5%CE%BC%CE%B1. Cheir is Perhaps from cheimon (winter, storm – winter as the rainy season); related to the base of chasma (chasm, gap, gulf); from chasko (to yawn). This is the hand in a literal sense. Figuratively, the hand is the means a person uses to accomplish things so it can also mean power, means, or instrument.
13 For the LordF isG the one who repays,H
F “Lord” = Kurios. From kuros (authority, supremacy). This is a respectful address meaning master or sir. It refers to one who has control or power greater than one’s own. So, it was also applied to God and Jesus as Master or Lord.
G “is” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
H “repays” = antapodidomi. Related to “give” and “given” in v12. 7x in NT. from anti (opposite, instead of, against) + apodidomi (to give back, return, give away; to restore as when one makes payment – to rend what is due, to sell); {from apo (from, away from) + didomi (see note A above)}. This is to pay back or recompense.
and he will repay you sevenfold.I
14 Do not offer him a bribe,J for he will not acceptK it,
I “sevenfold” = heptaplasios. From hepta (seven or seventh; figuratively, the number of completeness or perfection) + perhaps pleion (many, more, great, having a greater value, more excellent); {from polus (much, many, abundant)}. This is sevenfold. See https://lexicon.katabiblon.com/index.php?lemma=%E1%BC%91%CF%80%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%BB%E1%BD%B1%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%82&diacritics=off
J “offer…bribe” = dorokopeo. Related to “give” and “given” in v12 & “repays” in v13. Perhaps from doron (gift, offering, sacrifice; emphasizes that the gift is given freely, voluntarily); {from didomi (see note A above)} + kopto (to cut, strike, cut off; beating the chest to lament and so to mourn). This is to bribe. See https://bailly.app/d%C3%B4rokope%C3%B4-%C3%B4
K “accept” = prosdechomai. 14x in NT. From pros (at, to, toward, with) + dechomai (to warmly receive, be ready for what is offered, take, accept, or welcome; to receive in a literal or figurative sense). This is to receive, welcome, expect, accept. It is reception with a warm, personal welcome or active waiting. It can also mean endurance or patience.
15 and do not rely onL a dishonestM sacrifice,N
for the Lord is the judge,O
and with him there is no partiality.P
L “rely on” = epecho. 5x in NT. From epi (on, upon, at, what is fitting) + echo (to have, hold, possess). This is to hold fast, pay attention, retain, stop, wait.
M “dishonest” = adikos. 12x in NT. From a (not, without) + dike (the principle of justice; that which is right in a way that is very clear; a decision or the execution of that decision; originally, this word was for custom or usage; evolved to include the process of law, judicial hearing, execution of sentence, penalty, and even vengeance; more commonly, it refers to what is right); {may be from deiknumi (to show, point out, exhibit; figurative for teach, demonstrate, make known)}. This is unjust, unrighteous, wicked, treacherous.
N “sacrifice” = thusia. From thuo (to breathe violently, seethe, rage; properly, to rush as breathing heavy; so smoke as in offering an animal sacrifice by fire; by extension, killing or slaying in general). This is a sacrifice or offering. It can refer to the act of sacrifice or the thig being sacrificed. Also, this is sacrifice in a literal or figurative sense.
O “judge” = krites. 19x in NT. From krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging). This is judge or ruler.
P “partiality” = doxa + prosopon. Doxa is from dokeo (to have an opinion, seem, appear, suppose; a personal judgment; to think); from dokos (opinion). This is literally something that evokes a good opinion – something that connects to our understanding of intrinsic worth. The ultimate expression of this is, of course, God and God’s manifestation. So, this is opinion, honor, and dignity, but also praise, glory, renown, and worship. Prosopon is related to “generously” in v12. From pros (at, towards, with) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (see note D above)}. This is the face, surface, or front. It can imply presence more generally.
16 He will not showQ partialityR to the poor,S
Q “show” = lambano. It does not refer to passive receiving of something, but active acceptance or taking of something whether it is offered or simply nearby. It focuses on individual decision and action.
R “partiality” = prosopon. Same as “partiality” in v15. See note P above.
S “poor” = ptochos. From ptosso (to crouch or cower as a beggar does). This is poor or destitute – someone who is extremely poor and bowed down because of a long struggle under poverty. Properly, it means bent over so figuratively it is someone who is deeply destitute and lacking tangible resources. This is a beggar – as extremely opposite a wealthy person as possible.
but he will listenT to the prayerU of one who is wronged.V
T “listen” = eisakouo. 5x in NT. From eis (to, into, for, among) + akouo (listen, hear, understand through hearing). This is hearing deeply and intentionally. It can also mean to obey, heed, or comply – understanding prompting action.
U “prayer” = deesis. 18x in NT. From deomai (having an urgent need because one is missing or needing something so it is an earnest appeal or pressing request); from deo (to tie, bind, fasten, impel, compel; to declare something against the law or prohibited). This is a request coming from a deep personal need or want. So, it is supplication or prayer.
V “wronged” = adikeo. Related to “dishonest” in v15. From adikos (see note M above). This is to harm, damage, behave in an unjust way. It can also refer to an offender. It is moral wrong, especially caused by neglecting justice.
17 He will not ignoreW the supplicationX of the orphanY
W “ignore” = huperorao. Related to “generously” in v12 & “partiality” in v15. From huper (by, under, subordinate to another) + horao (see note D above). This is overlook, disdain, ignore. See https://lexicon.katabiblon.com/index.php?lemma=%CF%85%CF%80%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%89&diacritics=off
X “supplication” = hiketeia. From hiketes (a suppliant); from hikneomai (to reach, come to, attain). This is supplication or prayer. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E1%BC%B1%CE%BA%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1#Ancient_Greek
Y “orphan” = orphanos. 2x in NT. This is an orphan, more specifically one without a father. Figuratively, it can refer to anyone who is bereaved or beyond being comforted. It is where the word “orphan” comes from.
or the widowZ when she pours outAA her complaint.BB
Z “widow” = chera. Perhaps from the base of chasma (chasm, gap, gulf); from chasko (to yawn). This is widow literally or figuratively.
AA “pours out” = ekcheo. From ek (from, from out of) + cheo (to pour). This is something poured out in a liberal fashion. So, it is gushing, spilling, or shedding.
BB “complaint” = lalia. 4x in NT. From laleo (to talk, say, preach); from lalos (talkative). This is talk, saying, the way one talks, a dialect.
Image credit: “Bubble Rain” by Steve Jurvetson, 2005.
