Sirach 51:17 reads, "I profited in her: To him that gives me wisdom I will give glory." This verse, found in the Book of Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus) within the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books of the Bible, expresses the value of seeking wisdom and the proper response to receiving it. Let's break it down:
"I profited in her": This refers to the speaker's gain or benefit obtained through wisdom. "Her" is a common personification of wisdom, often depicted as a woman (see Proverbs 8-9). The speaker has benefited significantly by acquiring and internalizing wisdom. They have grown spiritually, intellectually, and perhaps even materially as a result of their pursuit of understanding and right living.
"To him that gives me wisdom...": This refers to God. Wisdom is ultimately a gift from God (see Proverbs 2:6: "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding"). The speaker acknowledges the divine source of their wisdom. It wasn't achieved through their own power alone but was a gift bestowed upon them.
"...I will give glory.": This is the key to understanding the verse. The speaker, recognizing God as the source of their wisdom, promises to return glory (honor, praise, and acknowledgement) to Him. This is an act of humility and gratitude. It demonstrates that the speaker has not become prideful or self-sufficient due to their acquired wisdom but understands that it is a blessing from God and deserves recognition and thanksgiving.
In essence, the verse is about:
The transformative power of wisdom in one's life.
The divine source of true wisdom.
The appropriate response to receiving wisdom: giving glory and praise back to God.
The verse emphasizes that wisdom is not just an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual one. It highlights the importance of acknowledging God's role in our lives and offering Him our gratitude and praise for the blessings we receive. It underscores humility and recognizing that all good things ultimately come from God.
Sirach 51:17 reads, "I profited in her: To him that gives me wisdom I will give glory." This verse, found in the Book of Sirach (also called Ecclesiasticus) within the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books of the Bible, expresses the value of seeking wisdom and the proper response to receiving it. Let's break it down:
"I profited in her": This refers to the speaker's gain or benefit obtained through wisdom. "Her" is a common personification of wisdom, often depicted as a woman (see Proverbs 8-9). The speaker has benefited significantly by acquiring and internalizing wisdom. They have grown spiritually, intellectually, and perhaps even materially as a result of their pursuit of understanding and right living.
"To him that gives me wisdom...": This refers to God. Wisdom is ultimately a gift from God (see Proverbs 2:6: "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding"). The speaker acknowledges the divine source of their wisdom. It wasn't achieved through their own power alone but was a gift bestowed upon them.
"...I will give glory.": This is the key to understanding the verse. The speaker, recognizing God as the source of their wisdom, promises to return glory (honor, praise, and acknowledgement) to Him. This is an act of humility and gratitude. It demonstrates that the speaker has not become prideful or self-sufficient due to their acquired wisdom but understands that it is a blessing from God and deserves recognition and thanksgiving.
In essence, the verse is about:
The transformative power of wisdom in one's life.
The divine source of true wisdom.
The appropriate response to receiving wisdom: giving glory and praise back to God.
The verse emphasizes that wisdom is not just an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual one. It highlights the importance of acknowledging God's role in our lives and offering Him our gratitude and praise for the blessings we receive. It underscores humility and recognizing that all good things ultimately come from God.
