son of Sirach, is more appropriate. It specifies at once the author, who mentions his own name in Ch. l. 27. The age given to the book here, is that which is thought most probable.[1] This apocryphal writer says in his apostrophe to Solomon,—"How wise wast thou in thy youth, and, as a flood, filled with understanding! Thy mind covered the earth, and thou filledst it with enigmatic sayings. Thy name went forth to the distant isles, and thou wast beloved for thy peace. Countries admired thee for songs, and proverbs, and enigmas, and solutions." The 17th verse is supposed to include the whole writings of Solomon contained in the Old Testament; and it is affirmed that [GR:parabolai\ ai)nigma/tôn] in verse 15, cannot be understood to mean the Proverbs ([GR:paroimi/a]) since these are separately mentioned in verse 17, hence it follows that they refer to the allegorical interpretation of this Song.[2]
Even Hengstenberg, who, though a defender of the allegorical interpretation, remarks,[3] "Sirach xlvii. 17, has wrongly been referred to in support of the allegorical interpretation. For the words [GR:e)n ô|)dai=s kai\ paroi/miais kai\ parabolai=s kai\ e)n e(rmênei/ais a)pethau/masa/n se chô=rai] depend upon the historical narration in the Books of the Kings, and do not refer to the writings comprised in the Canon. This is evident from the mention of the [GR:e(rmêneiai], whereby the solutions of the enigmas in contradistinction to the enigmas themselves, can alone be meant. Comp. 1 Kings x. 1-3. Whereas in the Canon no such [GR:e(rmêneiai] are to be found. Verse 15, in which Keil finds a special reference to the allegorical interpretation, likewise alludes to 1 Kings x., especially to verse 24."
120, B.C. The Book of Wisdom has also been supposed to contain a clue to the interpretation of this Song. The author and the age of the Book are points of great contest.
