The book of Wisdom of Solomon: who is the real author

“Wisdom of Solomon” in the Greek Bible - a book which main content is the doctrine of the beginning, the properties and actions of the wisdom of God in the world. The name of king Solomon it indicates that the author conducts his narrative sometimes on behalf of an ancient ruler. After all, he was the first teacher of biblical wisdom and its main representative. “Book of Wisdom of Solomon” on the subject its very similar to ‘Book of the Proverbs of Solomon”. But try to understand who the main author.

“Wisdom of Solomon” – book and food for thought

Since ancient times it was believed that this piece was written by king Solomon himself. This view, in particular, expressed such fathers and teachers of the Church like Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, St. Cyprian, and mostly it was based on the fact that his name stood in the inscription. Subsequently, this statement reinforced defended the Catholic Church, according to her, the book is consistent with the canons of the Church.

An Error of judgment is that, first, the “Book of Wisdom of Solomon” the original was written in Greek, not Jewish; and second, the author is familiar with Greek philosophy – the teachings of Plato, the Epicureans and of the Stoics; thirdly, the author is not a resident of Palestine, and refers to Greek customs and manners; and, fourthly, the book is considered canonical and cannot be written by Solomon, if you start from the Rules of the Holy apostles and the Epistles of Athanasius the Great.

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About the author

In the time of Jerome was another view: that the “Book of Wisdom of Solomon” wrote Philo of Alexandria, the representative of the Jewish Hellenism, the binding dogmas of the Jewish religion with Greek philosophy. This opinion was based on the fact that the product was very similar to the teaching of Philo about the Logos. But the similarity was only external. Not the same thought the author of the “wisdom”, which means the Philo under the Logo. And between them there is too much of the opposite view. In the Book of Wisdom, the origin of sin and death is explained as “the envy of the devil”, however Philo to say that he could not, because they do not believe in the existence of evil in the world, and the original fall of the Bible he understood purely allegorically. The theory of preexistence they perceived in different ways- the author and Philo. According to the teachings of the book good souls enter the net of the body, according to Philo, on the contrary, the fallen and sinful souls are sent to the body on the ground. Their views also differ from the views on the origin of idolatry. So Philo could not write this book.

Attempts to find the author were unsuccessful, so you can specify that the author of the book was another Jew, a Hellenist, quite educated of Alexandria, well versed in Greek philosophy.

Time, place and purpose of writing

After a deep analysis it can be argued that this book was written at the end of the reign of king Ptolemy IV (C. 221-217. BC) and most likely in Alexandria, Egypt. Seen from the text, as the author is well versed in the Jewish-Alexandrian philosophy, and makes allusions to Egyptian religion.

The Purpose of writing of the treatise, as it is believed, was that “Book of Wisdom of Solomon” was originally intended for the Syrian and Egyptian kings in order to transfer some of the veiled divine teachings and messages.

Contents

The Main theme of the book is the doctrine of Wisdom from two sides, on the basis of the best-known philosophical doctrines. The first is an objective reality given us in sensation. The second - subjective reality, perceived in sensation from the point of view of the objective.

In this case, there is a very simple example: the light is God. It is an objective reality (that is to say, an axiom from a mathematical point of view, does not require proof) that you cannot touch or feel on a physical level. His Wisdom is displayed directly in our soul. As for subjective, it is personal attitude of each man to God and understanding that He offers to every believer in Him on a spiritual level.

Three parts

The Book is divided into three main sections: the first (I-V CH) says that only Wisdom can become a leader to achieve true blessed immortality, in spite of the false teachings of the Jews, who denied it.

The Second (VI-IX HL) part is devoted to the merits of the doctrine, its origin and the significance of owning such higher knowledge and basic conditions in the aspects of achieving them.

The Third part (X-XIX Chapter) is a historical example of what happy can only be the people who possesses this Wisdom. Ignorance of it, the loss or rejection of any nation leads to degradation and death (as the Egyptians and Canaanites).

Conclusion

The Book “Wisdom of Solomon” (the reviews about it are a direct testimony) is one of velikomuchenik documents of all times and peoples, which shows the indestructible unity of God and man. Regardless of its non-canonical origin from the earliest times it was considered to be deeply instructive for those seeking lessons of piety andwisdom.