Wisdom, the Book of Wisdom, also called The Wisdom of Solomon, is found in the books of the Septuagint, the Old Testament accepted as inspired and canonical by the Orthodox Church in the Greek Orthodox Bible, and found in the books of the Old Testament of the Vulgate and included in the canon of inspired scripture by the Third Council of Carthage (397). Since the Council of Trent it is dogmatically accepted as inspired and canonical by the Catholic Church in the Catholic Bible—books of the Bible accepted as divinely inspired by the majority of Christian believers in the United States and throughout the world.[1][2]
Wisdom was first removed from the Old Testament and placed in the Apocrypha as The Wisdom of Solomon by Martin Luther in the 16th century. The Book of Wisdom is regarded as an apocryphal book of the Old Testament by less than one-third of Christian believers.[2] Numerous verses in Paul's Epistle to the Romans—considered by many to be his finest work—are similar to verses in Wisdom.
Wisdom was written in Greek about fifty years before Christ, and contains a remarkable prophecy of his persecution:[3]
“ | With violence and torture let us put him to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.” These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, And they did not know the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense for holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward. For God formed us to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made us. But by the envy* of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are allied with him experience it. |
” |
Wisdom is a text of unknown authorship, which has sometimes been attributed to Solomon. As its name suggests, the book deals with the subject of wisdom, containing advice for the reader and praising wisdom itself. Although the Book of Wisdom is not regarded as canonical by Protestants, it has had an undeniable influence on Christian tradition and philosophy. For example, the four cardinal virtues originate from chapter 8 of the book.
The Douay-Rheims Bible has the following chapter summary headings:
The Book of Wisdom, written shortly before Jesus was born (c. 50 B.C.), sets forth a remarkably accurate prophesy of the passion of Christ: Wisdom 2:12-21 NABRE
See King James Bible Online: Apocrypha Books: Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 2
The Old Testament Text. (wmcarey.edu/browning/Classes)
Wisdom of Solomon, Book of the (LXX. Σοφία Σολομῶνος; Vulgate, "Liber Sapientiæ") (jewishencyclopedia.com)
The Book of Wisdom: Introduction (usccb.org)
Septuagint Quotes in the New Testament
Refuting an Attack on the Deuterocanonicals. A Response to 11 ‘reasons’ that the Deuterocanonicals Should be Thrown Out of the Bible, By Matt1618. Introduction (matt1618.freeyellow.com)
Greek and English Septuagint
Latin and English Vulgate
Kings James Apocrypha Online
Categories: [Bible] [Apocrypha] [Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament]