Dlaczego Adam zamyka Pochwałę Ojców (Syr 44–49)?
Why does the Praise of the Ancestors (Sir 44–49) close with Adam?

Summary/Abstract: The Book of Sirach contains, besides numerous sapiential maxims, a remarkabletext focused on the work of God and His wisdom in the history of Israel: The Praiseof the Ancestors (Sir 44–49). In this way, a sage of Jerusalem wanted to instill in thehearts of his disciples the ability to view history in the theological way. The order andinterpretation of the heroes presented in the passage, while based on tradition, resultsfrom interpretation and criteria of the author himself. Interestingly, at the end of thedescription the sage returns to the beginnings not only of Israel but also of mankindby closing his description with the figure of Adam – the first man. The presentation ofAdam in Sir 49,16b is very positive, the author focuses on the glory and beauty of thefirst man, with complete disregard for such aspect as his fall. The terminology employedconnects the figure of Adam with priestly personages described by Sirach (Aaron; Simon,the high priest), which suggests a special significance of the high priest in the work ofthe sage of Jerusalem. The reference to Adam and the beginning of mankind presumesthe recognition of “the new beginning” in the figure of the high priest.

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