Did Sirach See Himself as a Prophet?

Abstract

The article reviews J.J. Pudełko’s book-length study titled Profetyzm w Księdze Syracha [Prophetism in the Book of Sirach]. Following an initial presentation of the book, the author focuses on its methodological aspect and offers an assessment of its merit before discussing the main thesis of Pudełko in the context of other scholarly opinions on the issue. Based on her meticulous analysis of prophetism in the works of the Jerusalem sage, Pudełko concludes that Sirach saw himself as an heir to the Old Testament prophets, as his role of a sage corresponded to the tasks fulfilled earlier by prophets. Although this argument is questioned by most contemporary analysts of the Book of Sirach, still Pudełko’s book constitutes an important intervention in the debate on Sirach’s prophetic self-awareness.