Composite Allusions and Classicising Language in Ben Sira

While genuine composite allusions in Sirach are certainly to be found with some effort, it may still be a surprise to some that a suspected clustering of composite parallels claimed in Ben Sira’s book can sometimes be more the product of the reader’s imagination than anything else. Supposed allusions and composite allusions to Ben Sira’s social context, polemics, autobiographical comments, and politics are difficult to disentangle. In many cases, the allusion might be at best a faint echo and special pleading at worst. With regard to genuine composite allusions, Sirach as a text reconfigures and refers the reader with a number of different recognisable strategies which build resonance and coherence with the sources of origin: resonance and coherence, even dialogue or reconfiguration with the originals’ tone and outlook; somewhat more flexible but still recognisable language; and a shared theme or context that is not too random out of place.