Sirach – Chapter 47

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 47 of Sirach begins: "Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David." The chapter centers on David, Solomon and Goliath. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David.

2And as the fat taken away from the flesh, so was David chosen from among the children of Israel.

3He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth.

4Did not he kill the giant, and take away reproach from his people?

5In lifting up his hand, with the stone in the sling he beat down the boasting of Goliath:

6For he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation.

7So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory:

8For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever.

9In all his works he gave thanks to the holy one, and to the most High, with words of glory.

10With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:

11And he set singers before the altar, and by their voices he made sweet melody.

12And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning.

13The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.

14After him arose up a wise son, and for his sake he cast down all the power of the enemies.

15Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever: O how wise wast thou in thy youth!

16And thou wast filled as a river with wisdom, and thy soul covered the earth.

17And thou didst multiply riddles in parables: thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wast beloved in thy peace.

18The countries wondered at thee for thy canticles, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations,

19And at the name of the Lord God, whose surname is, God of Israel.

20Thou didst gather gold as copper, and didst multiply silver as lead,

21And thou didst bow thyself to women: and by thy body thou wast brought under subjection.

22Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled,

23That thou shouldst make the kingdom to be divided, and out of Ephraim a rebellious kingdom to rule.

24But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he cut up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.

25Wherefore he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David of the same stock.

26And Solomon had an end with his fathers.

27And he left behind him of his seed, the folly of the nation,

28Even Roboam that had little wisdom, who turned away the people through his counsel:

29And Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin, and their sins were multiplied exceedingly.

30They removed them far away from their land.

31And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins.

Important Verses in Sirach 47

With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:

Sirach 47:10

The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.

Sirach 47:13

And at the name of the Lord God, whose surname is, God of Israel.

Sirach 47:19

But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he cut up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.

Sirach 47:24

Historical Context

Sirach belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for students of wisdom seeking to live the Law with practical prudence. Chapter 47 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 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David, Solomon, Goliath and Nathan, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David." The chapter ends with: "And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins. " Read against its original backdrop, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) is the longest wisdom book of the Bible, written by a Jerusalem sage who ran a school for young men. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: 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

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 10: "With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 436). Here, this deuterocanonical book provides guidance for daily life (CIC 1806). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. 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

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

David3 mentionsSolomon2 mentionsGoliath1 mentionNathan1 mentionJacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Sirach Chapter 47 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Sirach Chapter 47. At the moral level, evangelization and missionary discipleship challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1324).

As you continue through Sirach, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sirach Chapter 47 about?

Sirach 47 contains 31 verses. It opens with "Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David." and closes with "And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins. ". The book as a whole is wisdom instruction (deuterocanonical).

What is a key verse in Sirach 47?

One of the most significant verses is verse 10: "With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Sirach Chapter 47?

This chapter mentions David, Solomon, Goliath, Nathan, 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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