Wisdom of Solomon
About this date: Dates are broad scholarly estimates of composition or final editing, not dates of the events narrated. Traditional attributions and scholarly assessments can differ.
Wisdom of Solomon brings Jewish fidelity into conversation with Greek-language philosophical and rhetorical forms. The fate of the righteous, the gift of wisdom, the folly of idolatry, and a retelling of the exodus organize its argument.
Historical context
The work adopts a Solomonic royal voice, but that literary persona does not establish authorship by the historical Solomon. An Alexandrian Jewish setting is a common scholarly proposal rather than an explicit signature.
Key points
- The persecuted righteous person is a literary and theological figure before later Christian applications are considered.
- Wisdom is described through imagery of radiance, purity, and divine action.
- The final exodus retelling is an interpretation of Israel's story, not a separate eyewitness account.
Scripture
- Wisdom of Solomon 2:12-3:9 — The speech of the ungodly is answered by an account of the righteous in God's keeping.
- Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-8:1 — Wisdom is praised with language of spirit, radiance, and pervasive divine goodness.
- Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-19 — The divine Word enters a poetic retelling of the exodus judgment; a later Christological reading is not the only layer of meaning.
Sources and further reading
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles: canonical books and Apocrypha
- Catholic Catechism §120: canon and book list
- Orthodox Church in America: canon of Scripture
- Orthodox Church in America: Old Testament historical books
- USCCB Bible introductions: historical and literary notes
- Wisdom of Solomon: complete public-domain WEB text