Texts in Conversation
Sirach 49 echoes the idiom of bones flourishing from Isaiah 66, describing Israel after the end of exile, and reshapes it into a description of the future resurrection of Israel's prophets.
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Isaiah 66:14
Hebrew Bible
12 For this is what the Lord says: “Look, I am ready to extend to her prosperity that will flow like a river, the riches of nations will flow into her like a stream that floods its banks. You will nurse from her breast and be carried at her side; you will play on her knees. 13 As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.” 14 When you see this, you will be happy, and your bones will sprout like grass25. The Lord will reveal his power to his servants and his anger to his enemies. 15 For look, the Lord comes with fire; his chariots come like a windstorm to reveal his raging anger, his battle cry, and his flaming arrows.
Sirach 49:10
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
Deuterocanon
8 It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory, which God showed him above the chariot of the cherubim. 9 For God also mentioned Job who held fast to all the ways of justice. 10 May the bones of the Twelve Prophets send forth new life from where they lie, for they comforted the people of Jacob and delivered them with confident hope. 11 How shall we magnify Zerubbabel? He was like a signet ring on the right hand,
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Notes and References
"... It will be the breath, the spirit, the élan of the life of the new age, which will permeate ‘the bones’ of the righteous (compare Isaiah 66:14; Sirach 49:10). The precise connotations of ‘bones’ here is uncertain. In Semitic usage, the ‘bones’ may refer to the seat of sensation. One may think of the fragrance bringing new life to weary bones. The term can mean the ‘self,’ in which case the analogy of breath may be more appropriate ..."
Nickelsburg, George W. E.
A Commentary on the Book of 1 Enoch Chapters 1-36, 81-108
(p. 315) Fortress Press, 2001
* 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.
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