Read & explore together
Failed kings and a ruined city frame Jeremiah’s calling
In this passage from Sirach, the writer looks back on Judah’s kings, the loss of the city, and Jeremiah’s calling. It is a short but weighty summary that connects wicked leadership, national ruin, and Jeremiah’s being sanctified in the womb for prophetic work.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach 49:4–7 is part of a wisdom book in the Catholic additional books. These verses briefly judge the kings of Judah, describe the city’s destruction, and then focus on Jeremiah, who was mistreated but sanctified in the womb for prophetic work.
Sirach 49:4–7Main takeaway
This passage says that abandoning the law of the Most High is wicked, while Jeremiah is presented as sanctified in the womb for prophetic work despite being mistreated.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A sharp verdict on the kingsSirach begins with a strong exception. David, Hezekiah, and Josiah are set apart, while the rest are called wicked because they abandoned the law of the Most High.
Explanation
Sirach begins with a strong exception. David, Hezekiah, and Josiah are set apart, while the rest are called wicked because they abandoned the law of the Most High. The passage does not list each king’s actions here. It gives a summary judgement and says the kings of Judah came to an end.
02Power and glory lostThe next line explains the downfall in brief terms. “They gave their power to others” and their “glory” went to a foreign nation.
Explanation
The next line explains the downfall in brief terms. “They gave their power to others” and their “glory” went to a foreign nation. The wording stresses loss. Judah’s rulers did not keep their place of strength and honour, and what belonged to them passed outside the nation.
03The chosen city ruinedSirach then turns from kings to the city. The chosen city of the sanctuary was set on fire, and her streets were made desolate.
Explanation
Sirach then turns from kings to the city. The chosen city of the sanctuary was set on fire, and her streets were made desolate. The city is described in relation to the sanctuary, showing its special importance in the passage. The writer also links this ruin with what was written by Jeremiah.
04Jeremiah mistreated yet given prophetic workThe final verse speaks about Jeremiah himself. People mistreated him, yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet.
Explanation
The final verse speaks about Jeremiah himself. People mistreated him, yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet. His work included both removal and restoration: to root out, afflict, destroy, and also to build and to plant. The passage holds together suffering and prophetic purpose.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Sirach treat David, Hezekiah, and Josiah differently from the other kings?
Look at the reason given in the verse: the others are called wicked because they abandoned the law of the Most High.
02What losses are named when Judah’s kings came to an end?
Notice the two things that passed away in the text: power was given to others, and glory went to a foreign nation.
03What two sides of Jeremiah’s experience are placed together in this passage?
The verse says he was mistreated, yet also sanctified in the womb and given hard as well as constructive prophetic work.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 49:4–7
4Except David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all were wicked, because they abandoned the law of the Most High. The kings of Judah came to an end.
5They gave their power to others, and their glory to a foreign nation.
6They set the chosen city of the sanctuary on fire and made her streets desolate, as it was written by the hand of Jeremiah.
7For they mistreated him; yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet, to root out, to afflict, to destroy and likewise to build and to plant.