Read & explore together
A blessing remembers the faithful judges
These two verses speak a blessing over judges remembered for their conduct. The passage focuses on what marked them and on the honour wished for them after death and in the lives of their children.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In these verses from Sirach, the judges are addressed as people known “by his name”. The passage praises two qualities named in the text: they did not engage in immorality, and they did not turn away from the Lord. It then speaks blessings over their memory, bones, and name.
Sirach 46:11–12Main takeaway
This passage honours judges who did not turn away from the Lord and asks that their memory and name continue in blessing.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Named and blessedThe passage opens, “Also the judges, every one by his name”. This gives personal honour to individuals rather than speaking only about a group.
Explanation
The passage opens, “Also the judges, every one by his name”. This gives personal honour to individuals rather than speaking only about a group. The line ends with a blessing: “may their memory be blessed!” In these words, remembrance itself is treated as something good and worthy.
02What the passage praisesSirach gives two reasons for this blessing. Their hearts “didn’t engage in immorality”, and they “didn’t turn away from the Lord”.
Explanation
Sirach gives two reasons for this blessing. Their hearts “didn’t engage in immorality”, and they “didn’t turn away from the Lord”. The verse joins inner direction, “their hearts”, with outward faithfulness. The honour here is not attached to power or achievement, but to conduct and steadfastness toward the Lord.
03Blessing spoken over their bonesVerse 12 says, “May their bones flourish again out of their place.” The passage does not explain this phrase further, so it is best read as part of the blessing being spoken over them.
Explanation
Verse 12 says, “May their bones flourish again out of their place.” The passage does not explain this phrase further, so it is best read as part of the blessing being spoken over them. Even their bones are mentioned with dignity, showing continued honour for those remembered in verse 11.
04Their name renewed in their childrenThe last line says, “May the name of those who have been honored be renewed in their children.”
Explanation
The last line says, “May the name of those who have been honored be renewed in their children.” The text does not just speak of past praise. It asks that the honoured name continue in the next generation. In this way, remembrance reaches forward as well as back.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two qualities are named before the judges are blessed?
Answer from the exact wording of Sirach 46:11: their hearts did not engage in immorality, and they did not turn away from the Lord.
02How does verse 12 continue honour after death?
Notice the two wishes in Sirach 46:12, one about their bones and one about their name being renewed in their children.
03What is the effect of saying “every one by his name”?
Use Sirach 46:11 to explain how the blessing treats the judges as remembered individuals, not only as a group.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 46:11–12
11Also the judges, every one by his name, all whose hearts didn’t engage in immorality, and who didn’t turn away from the Lord— may their memory be blessed!
12May their bones flourish again out of their place. May the name of those who have been honored be renewed in their children.