WISDOM
The Law sets forth the commandments and demands of the Lord. Prophecy judges men’s behavior in light of God’s will, and reveals the unfolding of His eternal plan.
As for wisdom, it strives, through observation, experience and reflection, to come to know men and God.
The Law and prophecy, which come directly from Jehovah, express the same Word of his. Wisdom, an expression of good human sense, is also a gift from God.
It involves reverence toward the Lord and obedience to his commandments (Ps. 111:10; Pr. 9:10; Eccl. 12:13). Wisdom is personified in the early chapters of Proverbs and in the book of Job (see PROVERBS [BOOK OF]).
Throughout Israel’s history, wise counselors were given (Jer. 18:18); among others,
the cunning woman of Tekoa (2 Sam. 14:2);
the wise woman of Abel-beth-maacah (2 Sam. 20:18);
the four renowned wise men: Ethan, Heman, Chalcol and Darda (1 Kings 4:31).
They used
parables (2 Sam. 14:4-11);
precepts (Prov. 24:27-29);
proverbs (Proverbs 24:23-26);
riddles (Prov. 1:6);
lessons of life (Prov. 24:30-34).
Samples of this genre:
The parable of Jotham (Judg. 9:7-20);
Samson’s riddle (Judges 14:14);
the parables of Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-7),
of the woman of Tekoa (2 Sam. 14:4-17),
and by an unknown prophet (1 Kings 20:35-43);
the fable of King Joash (2 Kings 14:9, 10).
The greatest exponents of Hebrew wisdom are
Job,
proverbs and
Ecclesiastes.
Among the apocryphal books we can point out
Ecclesiastical, and
Wisdom of Solomon.