Honor the Physician

The Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus or Ben Sira, is a Jewish wisdom text from the Second Temple period, written by Jesus ben Sira around 180-175 BCE in Jerusalem. It is part of the Apocrypha in many Christian traditions and is included in the Septuagint, though it is not part of the Hebrew Bible canon.

Honor a physician according to your need with the honors due to him, for truly the LORD has created him. For healing comes from the Most High, and he shall receive a gift from the king. The skill of the physician will elevate him, and he will be admired in the sight of great men. ADONAI created medicines on earth, and a prudent man should not ignore them. Wasn’t water made sweet with wood that its power might be known? He gave men skill that He might be glorified in His marvelous works. With them, He heals and takes away pain. With these, the pharmacist makes a mixture. God’s works won’t be brought to an end. From Him, peace is upon the face of the earth. My son, in your sickness, don’t be negligent, but pray to ADONAI, and He will heal you. Put away wrongdoing, and direct your hands in righteousness. Cleanse your heart from all sin. Give a sweet savor and a memorial of fine flour, and pour oil on your offering, according to your means. Then give what is due to the physician, for truly the LORD has created him. Don’t let him leave you, for you need him. There is a time when recovery is in their hands. For they also shall ask the LORD to prosper them in diagnosis and in healing for the maintenance of life. He who sins before his Maker let him fall into the hands of the physician. My son, let your tears fall over the dead, and as one who suffers grievously, begin lamentation. Wind up his body with due honor. Don’t neglect his burial. Make bitter weeping and make passionate wailing. Let your mourning be according to his merit, for one day or two, lest you be spoken evil of; and so be comforted for your sorrow. For from sorrow comes death. (Ben Sria 38, translation by P. Shir)

The Book of Ben Sira: New Translation

This extrabiblical Jewish book was written in Hebrew around 2 Century BCE. The book is full of proverbial wisdom teachings, peppered with pre-rabbinic spiritual and moral ideas often resounded in the gospels and in apostolic era letters. Imagine hearing perspectives on death, happiness, honor, shame, sin, money, proper speech, social

PSHIR.COMPinchas Shir