Read & explore together
Enoch and Noah exemplify divine favor and preservation
Sirach 44:16–18 names Enoch and Noah in brief, weighty lines. Enoch “pleased the Lord” and became “an example of repentance”. Noah was “perfect and righteous”, and in a time of wrath a remnant was left when the flood came.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
These verses speak about two people and what marked them. Enoch pleased the Lord and was taken up. Noah was found perfect and righteous, kept the race alive in a season of wrath, and everlasting covenants were made with him so that all flesh would no more be blotted out by a flood.
Sirach 44:16–18Main takeaway
Sirach 44:16–18 remembers Enoch and Noah by stating that Enoch pleased the Lord and served as an example of repentance, while Noah was righteous, preserved life in wrath, and received everlasting covenants.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Enoch pleased the LordThe passage begins with Enoch. It says he “pleased the Lord, and was taken up”. Sirach does not expand the story here.
Explanation
The passage begins with Enoch. It says he “pleased the Lord, and was taken up”. Sirach does not expand the story here. Instead, it highlights what Enoch means for others: he is “an example of repentance to all generations”. The stress is on his relationship to the Lord and his continuing example.
02Noah’s character is stated clearlyNext, Sirach turns to Noah with two strong descriptions: “perfect and righteous”. These words explain why Noah is honoured in this passage.
Explanation
Next, Sirach turns to Noah with two strong descriptions: “perfect and righteous”. These words explain why Noah is honoured in this passage. The verse does not praise skill or strength. It draws attention to Noah’s character before speaking about the crisis that followed.
03A remnant remained in wrathSirach then places Noah in “the season of wrath”. In that setting, “he kept the race alive”.
Explanation
Sirach then places Noah in “the season of wrath”. In that setting, “he kept the race alive”. The verse adds, “a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came”. The passage does not ignore judgement, but it also points to survival and continuation through Noah.
04Everlasting covenants and their purposeThe final verse says, “Everlasting covenants were made with him”. Sirach also gives their purpose: “that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood”.
Explanation
The final verse says, “Everlasting covenants were made with him”. Sirach also gives their purpose: “that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood”. The emphasis is precise. The verse speaks about all flesh and about no further blotting out by a flood.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to Sirach 44:16, what kind of example is Enoch to all generations?
Read the second half of the verse and notice the exact phrase after Enoch was “taken up”.
02Which two words describe Noah before the passage mentions wrath and the flood?
Look at the opening description of Noah in Sirach 44:17 and quote both words together.
03What do the everlasting covenants in Sirach 44:18 say would no longer happen?
Focus on the purpose clause at the end of the verse and identify the action connected with “all flesh”.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 44:16–18
16Enoch pleased the Lord, and was taken up, an example of repentance to all generations.
17Noah was found perfect and righteous. In the season of wrath, he kept the race alive. Therefore a remnant was left on the earth when the flood came.
18Everlasting covenants were made with him, that all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood.