[1] Sirach was the father of the author of Ecclesiasticus, a book of the apocrypha which is also referred to by the name “Sirach”. The author is said to have been Jesus, son of Sirach of Jerusalem, who flourished about two hundred years before Christ. He originally wrote in Hebrew and the work was translated into Greek by his grandson. The passages to which reference is made is contained in Ch. 49:10,11, which reads: “It was Ezekiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims. For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways”. In citing this book the Author of Eureka does not acknowledge its inspiration as if it has right to a place in Holy Scripture, but as being representative of the accepted opinion of a scholar during that early period of history. In fact, there is no claim made within the book to Divine inspiration. A prologue written by the grandson states, “My grandfather, Jesus, after he had much given himself to a diligent reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books, that were delivered to us from our fathers, had a mind also to write something himself, pertaining to doctrine and wisdom; that such as are desirous to learn, and are made knowing in these things, may be more and more attentive in mind, and be strengthened to live according to the Law” — Publishers.
t Augustine Calmet was a French scholar and Biblical commentator who lived from 1672 to 1757. He wrote a Dictionary of the Bible which was translated into English and was very well-known. — Publishers.