Wisdom of Solomon

Lecture Notes, Summer 2000 (Chuck Pitts)

è Authorship/Composition

--Though placed in the voice of Solomon, it was likely written in Greek, not Hebrew. It was probably written in Alexandria, Egypt, in the 1^st century B.C. or 1^st century C.E.

--(This sets it apart from other OT wisdom literature, all of which was originally written in Hebrew.)

è Selected Texts

--Note the distinctive developments:

--5:15-16—The “righteous live for ever.” Here is an argument for life after death, including rewards for the righteous, a “glorious crown.” The teaching of resurrection & afterlife has now become a part of the wisdom tradition.

--7:22-26—Wisdom has a “spirit,” is a “breath of the power of God,” an “emanation of the glory of the Almighty,” and a “reflection of eternal light.” These are typically seen as reflections of Greek philosophical influences.

--The Old Testament & Jewish wisdom traditions (as seen in the

OT & Sirach) are now combined with Greek philosophy & rhetoric.

--8:19-20—The preexistent soul entering a body is a distinctive Greek teaching, reflecting what is usually considered platonic thought.

--11:1-19:22—Israel & Egypt are presented as representations of wisdom & folly. God blessed Israel because of wisdom, but Egypt was destroyed because of folly. The entire exodus and wilderness experience (as well as a few events not mentioned in the biblical record) are described with wisdom as a central character.