The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Jesus, son of Sirach

JESUS, SON OF SIRACH, mentioned in the book of Ecclesiasticus (1, 7) as the author of that book. In the Septuagint Ecclesiasticus is called the &ldquo;Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach,&rdquo; or the &ldquo;Wisdom of Sirach.&rdquo; He was a native of Jerusalem, the son of Eleazer, and the book reveals its Palestinian origin. He was a scribe and G. Margoliouth argues (from li, 23) that he was &ldquo;in the latter part of his life the head, and probably founder and sole teacher of an

academy for the moral instruction of youth at Jerusalem.&rdquo;