Why, in the book of Proverbs, is wisdom referred to as a she?

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman (often called "Lady Wisdom") for three primary reasons: [1, 2, 3]

• Hebrew Grammar: In ancient Hebrew, the word for wisdom (chokmah) is a feminine noun. When giving abstract concepts human traits (personification), the grammar requires using feminine pronouns.
• Rhetorical Appeal: Proverbs (especially chapters 1–9) was written as a father instructing his son. Portraying wisdom as an attractive, desirable woman was used as a teaching device to make seeking wisdom as appealing to a young man as pursuing a romantic partner.
  • The "Two Women" Contrast: It creates a powerful literary contrast. Throughout the opening chapters, Lady Wisdom is directly juxtaposed with "Folly" (or the "adulterous woman"), forcing the reader to choose between the life-giving path of wisdom and the destructive path of temptation.

 

[GWH]

Re the OP: Irony?

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

Re the OP: Irony?

I listened to the book of Proverbs today, and I realized that the author kept referring to wisdom as she. When I first was saved, I thought that wisdom was a woman but now I found out that the author was trying to convince the men reading that wisdom is as important or more important than seeking out a romantic partner.

I just found it interesting how as I got older, that I noticed that, looked it up and found out what it really was saying.

Thought I would share that if anyone else thought that wisdom was actually a woman.

 

[tablet123]

I listened to the book of Proverbs today, and I realized that the author kept referring to wisdom as she. When I first was saved, I thought that wisdom was a woman but now I found out that the author was trying to convince the men reading that wisdom is as important or more important than seeking out a romantic partner.

I just found it interesting how as I got older, that I noticed that, looked it up and found out what it really was saying.

Thought I would share that if anyone else thought that wisdom was actually a woman.

I would not think it was a woman for it is clear it is the attribute of God.

And the characteristic of wisdom would not fit the ability of a human in this case.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

All wisdom comes from God for no person will accept the truth except God intervenes in their life.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I would not think it was a woman for it is clear it is the attribute of God.

And the characteristic of wisdom would not fit the ability of a human in this case.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

All wisdom comes from God for no person will accept the truth except God intervenes in their life.

Well, when I first was saved, I thought it was an actual woman but as I matured in the faith, God revealed to me that wisdom was referred to as she because the author was trying to convince young men that obtaining wisdom is as valuable as finding a romantic partner

 

[Charlesiii]

Well, when I first was saved, I thought it was an actual woman but as I matured in the faith, God revealed to me that wisdom was referred to as she because the author was trying to convince young men that obtaining wisdom is as valuable as finding a romantic partner

I still think wisdom is a she, but you make a good point. I remember feeling a little indignant a few times when I read this passage in Proverbs - how can Wisdom be a she? Aren't all the good attributes supposed to be male? Lol.

Since then, though, I learned that the word for foreskin (i.e. the bit on males circumcised soon after birth) in Hebrew is עָרְלָה (orlah), and is a feminine noun! And to add to that, the words for womb, רֶחֶם (rechem) and breasts, שדיים (shadayim) - critical hallmarks of females and femininity, to my thinking - are masculine.

So now I don't feel so bad. Swings and roundabouts, so they say.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I still think wisdom is a she, but you make a good point. I remember feeling a little indignant a few times when I read this passage in Proverbs - how can Wisdom be a she? Aren't all the good attributes supposed to be male? Lol.

Since then, though, I learned that the word for foreskin (i.e. the bit on males circumcised soon after birth) in Hebrew is עָרְלָה (orlah), and is a feminine noun! And to add to that, the words for womb, רֶחֶם (rechem) and breasts, שדיים (shadayim) - critical hallmarks of females and femininity, to my thinking - are masculine.

So now I don't feel so bad. Swings and roundabouts, so they say.

So confusing ughhh

 

[Mem]

feminine designation alludes to a gestational ability to receive seed and bring it forth. What is received is birthed, whether it be wisdom or folly.

 

[birdie]

Thanks YouOnlyLiveTwice, for noticing the 'she' in wisdom in Proverbs. Consider Galatians:

"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free."

This contrasts trying to be justified by the law compared to being justified by faith in Christ - the flesh vs. the spirit. The Jerusalem above is the mother of all believers. This is the wisdom that comes from above mentioned in James 1. Eve was a picture of this, called the mother of all living. She was a picture of the spouse of Jesus, since she was married to Adam, a picture of Christ. All believers in Christ, men and women, are spoken of as being married to Christ. We are the female spouse in terminology in that regard.

Take a look at the tree of life. The tree of life is a picture of the man of life, Jesus. He is in the midst of the garden just as Jesus is in the midst of the believers. Yet, by the time the tree is pictured in the book of Revelation, the tree is referred to as an entity that bears HER twelve fruits. Why is the tree of life become a 'her'. It seems that by becoming a part of Christ's body, the spouse of Christ has become one with Christ.

I do not mind being called Christ's bride or spouse, even though I am male, because it is just a picture, terminology, of how Christ is the head and we are the body. We receive the wisdom of all true believers, of the Jerusalem above, when we have faith in Christ, not by our own works, but by the work he did for us.

 

[Aaron56]

feminine designation alludes to a gestational ability to receive seed and bring it forth. What is received is birthed, whether it be wisdom or folly.

I like that.

I've had this question, about wisdom, myself. I wonder if it speaks of the Lord's obligation toward wisdom: how He would position Himself as wisdom's head, giving His own life to preserve her. These are just my thoughts.

 

[Mem]

I like that.

I've had this question, about wisdom, myself. I wonder if it speaks of the Lord's obligation toward wisdom: how He would position Himself as wisdom's head, giving His own life to preserve her. These are just my thoughts.

That seems something worth continuing to think on. Certainly, He defended her to His death.

Proverbs advises that wisdom be our primary ambition to get (prov 4:7) and appraises it precious above rubies (Prov 8:11).

I happened on Isaiah 11:2 while I searched the scripture for any anything that might reflect your thoughts on wisdom. It occurred to me to note the 'common singular noun' designation of "The Spirit (of the Lord)" followed by the feminine parts of speech of 'wisdom,' 'understanding,' 'counsel,' and 'strength.'
Considering that Jesus died that we should receive the Holy Spirit (Genitive Neuter Singular), then to think that He gave His life for wisdom, which the Lord gives (Prov 2:6).

 

[birdie]

That seems something worth continuing to think on. Certainly, He defended her to His death.

Proverbs advises that wisdom be our primary ambition to get (prov 4:7) and appraises it precious above rubies (Prov 8:11).

I happened on Isaiah 11:2 while I searched the scripture for any anything that might reflect your thoughts on wisdom. It occurred to me to note the 'common singular noun' designation of "The Spirit (of the Lord)" followed by the feminine parts of speech of 'wisdom,' 'understanding,' 'counsel,' and 'strength.'
Considering that Jesus died that we should receive the Holy Spirit (Genitive Neuter Singular), then to think that He gave His life for wisdom, which the Lord gives (Prov 2:6).

Thanks Mem and Aaron 56 for your very good comments. One way to think about wisdom in the Bible is to think of it as somewhat synonymous with salvation. Remember, the parable of the 10 virgins. Those who are saved are described as wise. That means wise is a way of describing being saved. Similarly, the wise men who had gifts for Jesus were also a picture of those who are saved.

 

[Aaron56]

Thanks Mem and Aaron 56 for your very good comments. One way to think about wisdom in the Bible is to think of it as somewhat synonymous with salvation. Remember, the parable of the 10 virgins. Those who are saved are described as wise. That means wise is a way of describing being saved. Similarly, the wise men who had gifts for Jesus were also a picture of those who are saved.

That's a good thought.

Since, in the Lord are "all the treasures of wisdom" it would seem that those who are wise are "bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh"... of His nature and likeness. This was seen first when Woman was made from the side of Adam and not from a different lump of clay. Adam proclaimed "She is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh" just as Paul taught in Ephesians that we are the flesh and bones of Christ.

"..for we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones."

Wisdom seems inexorably connected to the Lord - not just as a trait but as a companion that shares His nature.

 

[Researcher]

• The "Two Women" Contrast: It creates a powerful literary contrast. Throughout the opening chapters, Lady Wisdom is directly juxtaposed with "Folly" (or the "adulterous woman"), forcing the reader to choose between the life-giving path of wisdom and the destructive path of temptation.

And now you know what the two trees were symbolic of in the Garden of Eden. They were symbolic of two women, i.e., two mothers:

• Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: Mystery Babylon, Hagar, Earthly Jerusalem
• Tree of Life: Wisdom, Sarah, New Jerusalem

Remember, Wisdom has children.

 

[GaryA]

And now you know what the two trees were symbolic of in the Garden of Eden. They were symbolic of two women, i.e., two mothers:

• Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: Mystery Babylon, Hagar, Earthly Jerusalem
• Tree of Life: Wisdom, Sarah, New Jerusalem

Remember, Wisdom has children.

I must disagree...

I do not believe that there was/is anything inherently 'evil' about the [existence of the] 'Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil'. Nor do I believe that there was/is any 'opposition' between the two trees. Each had its purpose - holy and righteous before God by the will of God. It is completely errant to think of them as being "one good one evil" in any sense of consideration or comparison.

 

[DavidLamb]

I must disagree...

I do not believe that there was/is anything inherently 'evil' about the [existence of the] 'Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil'. Nor do I believe that there was/is any 'opposition' between the two trees. Each had its purpose - holy and righteous before God by the will of God. It is completely errant to think of them as being "one good one evil" in any sense of consideration or comparison.

I agree. It wasn't the tree of the knowledge of good and evil itself that was evil. After all, it was part of the creation which God pronounced "very good." The fact that Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command, and ate the fruit of the tree, did not make the tree itself evil.

 

[birdie]

I agree. It wasn't the tree of the knowledge of good and evil itself that was evil. After all, it was part of the creation which God pronounced "very good." The fact that Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command, and ate the fruit of the tree, did not make the tree itself evil.

Thanks DavidLamb, for your comments about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

I see the tree of life as a picture of Christ. He is in the midst of the garden of believers. Jesus is in the midst of the believers. There is only, of course, one way, truth and life, so the tree of life is not a separate 2nd way of life. There is only one way, and that way is Jesus.

In like manner, there is a single way that leads to death in its broadest sense. That way is to not live up to the law of God, and to reject Jesus' help in salvation. That is why I see the

 

[birdie]

(continued)
That's why I see the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as a picture of the law. The law is good and holy and just in and of itself, but because humans cannot live up to it in their own strength, they die. The solution, of course, is not to try to save ourselves by our own strength but to put our trust in Jesus, who overcame the penalty of the law demanded for transgressors. He overcame at the cross and resurrection for us, to be saved with him.