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How do Apostolic Christians interpret arguably sexist verses in Sirach?

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Before beginning my question, I'd like to clarify what I mean by 'Apostolic Christian'. By this, I mean anyone in the Assyrian, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, or Roman Catholic Communions. The book of Sirach is a deuterocanonical book rejected by most Protestants as Scripture, but accepted as Scripture by most everyone else. It has several verses that are extremely problematic *prima facie* relating to women; all quotations are from the NSRV-CI. > For from garments comes the moth,\ > and from a woman comes woman’s wickedness.\ > Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good;\ > it is woman who brings shame and disgrace.\ > -Sirach 42:13-14 > From a woman sin had its beginning,\ > and because of her we all die....\ > If she [that is, your wife] does not go as you direct,\ > separate her from yourself.\ > -Sirach 25:24,26 > It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son,\ and the birth of a daughter is a loss.\ -Sirach 22:3 > He who acquires a wife gets his best possession,\ a helper fit for him and a pillar of support.\ Sirach 36:29 Unfortunately, I could quote many more. Jesus ben Sirach here says that women's goodness is worse than man's wickedness; that women were the originators of sin; that if wives do not listen to you, they should be abandoned; that wives are possessions; and that, of course, the birth of a daughter is a loss. When discussing a headstrong daughter, he is incredibly obscene: > As a thirsty traveler opens his mouth\ and drinks from any water near him,\ so she will sit in front of every tent peg\ and open her quiver to the arrow.\ -Sirach 26:15 How do folks who accept this book as inspired Scripture interpret these in light of the Gospel? Patristic citations are both welcome and appreciated.
Asked by John Dumancic (382 rep)
Apr 12, 2022, 06:30 PM
Last activity: Mar 29, 2023, 09:14 PM