The animal wife according to Ben Sira 25,15-18

In this article, which focuses on the Greek version of Ben Sira 25,15-18, the author seeks to answer the following questions. What meanings should be given to the four animals mentioned in vv. 15-17, namely the serpent, the bear, the lion, and the dragon? How should we understand the emotional behavior of the wife in 25,15.17, and that of the husband in 25,18? How do we interpret Ben Sira's preference in 25,16? Does this preference, expressed in the first person singular, refer to his own experience? In short, what does this portrait of the animal wife in Sir 25,15-18 mean?

Automated summary

In this article, the author focuses on the interpretation of the animal wife portrait in Sirach 25:15-18, discussing the meanings of the four animals mentioned and the emotional behaviors of the wife and the husband. Furthermore, the author examines whether Ben Sira's preference reflects his own experience.