The Book of Sirach raises many questions: philological, exegetical, literary, historical, theological. There were even confessional questions which divided the traditions of synagogues and churches. It is, therefore, a fascinating book, located on the edges of the canon. Does the book attempt to repair the harm done by the erosive criticism of Job and Qoheleth, or is it the work of a thoughtful interpreter who, in a time of change, seeks to bear the tradition towards the new situation emerging from the Hellenistic Diaspora? Is it a book which aims at the restoration of the true faith against the autonomous questing of human wisdom, or is it merely a sincere, if shrewd, experiment at dialogue between the legitimate reasoning of the world and the wisdom given in the Law? According to a well-tried methodology of juxtaposing the specialists of different schools, this volume presents an up to date consideration of historical, exegetical and theological research.

"[...] eine Lekure lohnt."Frank Ueberschaer in: Theologische Literaturzeitung 11/2009 "Der [...] eroffnende Sammelband vermitttelt einen aufschlussreichen Einblick in das Spektrum gegenwartiger Forschung zum Sirachbuch."S. Behnke in: ZAW 121/2009 "This volume is a true reflection of the different fields with which Ben Sira research is occupied nowadays."P. C. Beentjes in: Bijdragen 1/2009 "We should be grateful [...] that it will probably reach a wider audience for being in English."J. K. Aitken in: Book List - Society for Old Testament Study 2009

Angelo Passaro and Giuseppe Bellia, Theological Faculty of Sicily St. John the Evangelist, Palermo, Italy.