The interpretation timeline

Sir 48:23

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

Sir 48:23 · Douay-Rheims
“He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
386
A.D.
Cyril of Jerusalem Patristic
A.D. 313–386
“For Hezekiah, by now without hope, according to the words of the prophet who told him the judgment, his life was extended fifteen years. The sun, continuing on its way, he made to retreat. This was a sign. The sun went backwards for Hezekiah but was eclipsed for Christ. In both phenomena, the retreat and the eclipse, a sign was given, although with different meaning with respect to Hezekiah and to Jesus. If Hezekiah managed to have the divine judgment revoked, would Jesus not give the remission of sins? Be converted, therefore, and mourn over your sins, close the door and pray to obtain the forgiveness of sins and avoid the burning flames, since confession has the power to put out the fire itself, just as it has the strength to tame lions.”
Source
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.