Sirach – Chapter 46

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Sirach 46 opens with the words: "Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name," The chapter centers on Caleb, Moses and Samuel. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,

2Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.

3How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?

4Who before him hath so resisted? for the Lord himself brought the enemies.

5Was not the sun stopped in his anger, and one day made as two?

6He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.

7He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.

8That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:

9And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.

10And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.

11And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:

12That all the children of Israel might see, that it is good to obey the holy God.

13Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,

14That their memory might be blessed, and their bones spring up out of their place,

15And their name continue for ever, the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children.

16Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.

17By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.

18And he was known to be faithful in his words, because he saw the God of light:

19And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.

20And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard.

21And he crushed the princes of the Tyrians, and all the lords of the Philistines:

22And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed: money, or any thing else, even to a shoe, he had not taken of any man, and no man did accuse him.

23And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation.

Important Verses in Sirach 46

He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.

Sirach 46:6

That all the children of Israel might see, that it is good to obey the holy God.

Sirach 46:12

Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.

Sirach 46:16

And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard.

Sirach 46:20

Historical Context

Sirach addresses students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 46 of 51 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Caleb, Moses, Samuel and Jacob appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his…" The final verse reads: "And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice…" The wider setting of Sirach is this: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is the longest wisdom book of the Bible, written by a Jerusalem sage who ran a school for young men. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

Who Wrote It

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson

When It Was Written

About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter offers practical instruction on how to live wisely before God in daily life. A pivotal line is verse 6: "He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great…" The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of practical wisdom and fear of the Lord. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 133).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Caleb2 mentionsMoses2 mentionsSamuel1 mentionJacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sirach Chapter 46 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). Here the believer is invited to ponder gratitude as the foundation of prayer.

May your reading of Sirach Chapter 46 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how All wisdom comes from the Lord applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 46 about?

Sirach 46 contains 23 verses. It opens with "Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his…" and closes with "And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice…". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 46?

One of the most significant verses is verse 6: "He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Sirach Chapter 46?

This chapter mentions Caleb, Moses, Samuel, Jacob.

Who wrote Sirach and when?

Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem; translated into Greek by his grandson. About 180 BC in Hebrew; Greek translation about 132 BC.

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