Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter I
2. Preface V
3. Contents VII
4. Abbreviations XII
5. 1. Introduction 1
6. Part 1: Ben Sira’s Instruction Concerning the Cosmos
7. Introduction 35
8. 2. The Well-Ordered Cosmos 37
9. 3. Ben Sira’s Instruction About God’s Works 81
10. 4. The Wondrous Beauty of the Cosmos 140
11. Part 2: The Role of Human Beings within the Created Order
12. Introduction 211
13. 5. Ben Sira’s Presentation of Wisdom 213
14. 6. Human Contribution to the Cosmic Order 302
15. 7. The High Priest, the Cultus, and the Cosmic Order 365
16. 8. Conclusion 440
17. Bibliography 451
18. Index of References 483
19. Index of Topics 503