Texts in Conversation
In Matthew, Jesus discourages long prayers, echoing Sirach, which teaches people not to pray with repetitive language. Both reflect the values of honor and shame culture that prefers simple prayer rather than being excessive or performative.
Share:
2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Sirach 7:14
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
9 Don’t say, “He will look upon the multitude of my gifts. When I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.” 10 Don’t be faint-hearted in your prayer. Don’t neglect to give alms. 11 Don’t laugh a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul, for there is one who humbles and exalts. 12 Don’t devise a lie against your brother, or do the same to a friend. 13 Refuse to utter a lie, for that habit results in no good. 14 Don’t babble in the assembly of elders. Don’t repeat your words in your prayer.
Date: 195–180 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 6:7
New Testament
5 “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward! 6 But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. 7 When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles because they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 So pray this way: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,
Date: 70–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
Search:
Notes and References
"... Psalm 118:85 LXX also refers to verbosity in negative terms, describing how the lawless (παράνομοι) annoy the Psalmist with idle words (ἀδολεσχίας). Such Jewish examples of criticism of verbose prayers have led some commentators to read Matthew 6:7 as a problem internal to Judaism ... See also 2 Kings 9:11 LXX; Psalm 118:85 LXX; Sirach 7:14, with specific reference to prayer, and 32:9 ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.
User Comments
,