The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning: The translation of this verse will depend on how a person understands verses 3-9. Some see these verses as a general introduction before a more detailed list of the great ancestors. We believe, however, that verses 3-9 are speaking of great men other than those in the list of Israelite ancestors. Not until verse 10 is the idea in verse 1 developed. Certainly verse 3 sounds like it is talking of kingdoms other than Israel. In verse 4 the Hebrew uses a noun for “people” that specifically refers to nations other than Israel. Later we are told that all these men were famous in their own time (verse 7), but while some are still remembered (verse 8), others are completely forgotten (verse 9). Verse 10 then introduces the reader to great men who will never be forgotten because of their righteousness, the ancestors of the Jewish people. New English Bible, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible take this course; see verse 10 below.

To translate verse 2 according to this interpretation, we do not need to read the Hebrew with Revised Standard Version. The Greek literally says “The Lord created great glory, his majesty from the beginning.” In the context we think this means that the Lord has always shared his glory with human beings, by allowing some to become great. An ancient rabbinic blessing, to be pronounced on seeing a king, is “Blessed art thou, O Lord God, king of the universe, who sharest thy glory with mortals.” We can suggest this approach to verse 2:

• From the beginning of time there have always been great men,
put here by the Lord to show his own great glory [or, power/majesty].

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.