/ / The Book of Wisdom of Solomon: who is the real author

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

"Wisdom of Solomon" in the Greek Bible -the book, the main content of which is the doctrine of the beginning, properties and actions of the Wisdom of God in the world. The name of King Solomon in it indicates that the author of the book leads his story sometimes on behalf of the most ancient ruler. After all, he was the first teacher of biblical wisdom and its main representative. "The Book of Wisdom of Solomon" in its subject is very similar to the "Book of Proverbs of Solomon." But let's try to figure out who its main author is.

the wisdom of Solomon

"Wisdom of Solomon" - a book and food for the mind

Since ancient times, it was believed thatthe work was written by King Solomon himself. This opinion, in particular, was expressed by such fathers and teachers of the Church as Clement of Alexandria, Tertulianus, Saint Cyprian, and it was mainly based on the fact that his name was inscribed. Subsequently, this statement was strongly defended by the Catholic Church, according to her statements, the book corresponded to church canons.

The error of judgment is that, firstly,The Book of the Wisdom of Solomon was originally written in Greek, not Hebrew; secondly, the author of the book is well acquainted with Greek philosophy — the teachings of Plato, the Epicureans, and the Stoics; thirdly, the author is not a Palestinian resident, but refers to Greek customs and customs; and, fourth, the book is considered canonical and cannot be written by Solomon, if we start from the Rules of the Holy Apostles and the Epistle of Athanasius the Great.

Opinions about the author

In the time of Jerome, there was another opinion:that the “Book of Wisdom of Solomon” was written by Philo of Alexandria, a representative of Jewish Hellenism, linking the dogmas of the Jewish religion with Greek philosophy. This opinion was based on the fact that the work was very similar to the teachings of Philo on the Logos. But these similarities were only external. The author of the “intricacies” thought that Philon meant by Logos. And between them there is too much opposition. In the Book of Wisdom of Solomon, the origin of sin and death is explained as “the envy of the devil,” but Philo could not assert this, since he did not believe in the existence of an evil principle in the world, and he understood the fall of the progenitors from the Bible purely allegorically. They also perceived the theory of preexistence in different ways - the author of the book and Philo. According to the teachings of the book, good souls enter into pure bodies, according to Philo, on the contrary, fallen and sinful souls are sent to the bodies on the earth. Their views also differ from those of the origin of idolatry. So Philo could not write this book.

Attempts to find the author were unsuccessful,therefore, it is possible to point out only that the author of the book was another Hellenistic Jew, a fairly well-educated Alexandrian, well versed in Greek philosophy.

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Time, place and purpose of writing

After in-depth analysis, it can be argued thatThe book was written at the end of the reign of King Ptolemy IV (ca. 211-217 BC) and most likely in Egyptian Alexandria. It can be seen from the text, as the author perfectly understands the Judeo-Alexandrian philosophy and makes hints of Egyptian religion.

The purpose of writing a treatise is believed to have beenthat the "Book of Wisdom of Solomon" was originally intended for the Syrian and Egyptian kings with the aim of transmitting to them some veiled divine teachings and messages.

Content

The main theme of the content of the book is the doctrine ofWisdom from two sides, based on the most famous philosophies. The first is objective reality, not given to us in sensation. The second is subjective reality perceived in sensations from the objective point of view.

In this case, there is the simplest example:there is a god in the world. This is an objective reality (axiom from a mathematical point of view, so to speak, not requiring proof) that cannot be touched or felt on the physical level. His Wisdom is displayed directly in our soul. As for the subjective, this is the personal attitude of each person towards God and the understanding that He offers everyone who believes in Him on a spiritual level.

wisdom of solomon book

Three parts

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

The second part (Chapter VI-IX) is devoted to the essence of the doctrine, its origin, as well as the significance of having such higher knowledge and basic conditions in terms of their achievement.

The third part (X-XIX ch.) is a historical example of the fact that only the people who possess this Wisdom can become happy. Ignorance of it, loss or rejection leads any nation to degradation and death (like the Egyptians and the Canaanites).

Conclusion

The book "Wisdom of Solomon" (reviews about herare a direct testimony) is one of the most readable documents of all times and peoples, which shows the unbreakable unity of God and man. Regardless of its non-canonical origin since ancient times, it was considered to be deeply instructive for those who seek the lessons of piety and wisdom.