Is Ben Sira Opposing Apocalyptic Teaching in Sir 3:21–24?
The author argues that both the book of Ben Sira and the parts of 1 Enoch existing at the same period, the Astronomical Book (1 Enoch 72-82) and the Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1-36), could be understood in a wisdom school settings in which different wisdom schools functioned near each other, aware of each other's teachings, with students able to move between teachers and hear and weigh up their teaching. In this claimed setting, it would be expected that Ben Sira would try to persuade his students to accept his own teaching and to forsake that of the other schools. The argumentation employed by Ben Sira, however, shows only the persuading of his own students.