You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire: See 2 Kgs 2.11. For taken up, see 44.16 in reference to Enoch. A whirlwind is a rapidly spinning movement of air in a small area. It may be violent, as a tornado or waterspout, or harmless, as a “dust devil” (see the comments on 43.17). Here the whirlwind of fire is impressive. This line may be rendered “The Lord took you up to heaven in a storm of fire.”

In a chariot with horses of fire: A chariot was a two-wheeled war vehicle (cart) normally pulled by two horses. In some languages it will be called “war wagon [or, cart].” Horses of fire (Good News Translation “fiery horses”) provides the picture that these horses appeared to be made of fire. So for this line we may say “a chariot drawn by horses made of fire.”

In Revised Standard Version the fiery whirlwind is a separate item from the fiery horses and chariot. Good News Translation does not separate them. Most translators will find Good News Translation easier to follow. An alternative model for this verse is:

• The Lord took you up to heaven in a fiery storm—a chariot pulled by horses made of fire.

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.