The words for Ecce sacerdos magnus by Edward Elgar (1857–1934) are from Ecclesiasticus 44:16–17. Also known as the Book of the All-Virtuous Wisdom (or simply the Book of Wisdom), Ecclesiasticus was written by the Jewish scribe Shimon ben Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira (also known as Jesus of Sirach) of Jerusalem. This volume of ethical teachings dates from around 200–175 BCE.