SirachChapter 25

Sirach Chapter 25: Meaning

Ben Sira lists things he admires and warns strongly about the damage a bad wife can cause.

Summary

Ben Sira begins by naming three things that make him very happy: brothers and sisters who get along, neighbors who love each other, and a husband and wife who live in peace. He also names three types of people he cannot stand: a poor person who is prideful, a rich person who lies, and an old man chasing after sin.

Next, he lists ten blessings, things that make a person truly happy. These include finding a good wife, having wise children, and most importantly, fearing the Lord. He says the fear of the Lord is the greatest thing a person can have. Nothing else compares to it.

The final section is Ben Sira's harsh warning about a wicked wife. He says living with a difficult, wicked woman brings misery to her husband. He compares it to poison from a snake or being trapped with a lion. He says she destroys her husband's spirit. He ends by saying a man should not be trapped by beauty and should not keep a wicked wife around.

Historical Context

Ben Sira wrote this around 180 BC in a society where marriages were often arranged by families. A wife's character had a huge impact on the husband's life, reputation, and household.

Ben Sira's harsh words about wicked women reflect the culture of his time, where men held public authority. While some of his language sounds harsh today, his main point was about the serious damage that a troublemaking, dishonest person causes in a home, whether man or woman.