Ebook: Lady Wisdom in the Book of Ben Sira, Chapter 24

The personification of Wisdom is one of the most intriguing topics of Old Testament scholarship. Scholars have debated a great deal about the origin of personified Wisdom and her theological significance within wisdom literature. She is a figure described through many different allusions. Lady Wisdom is portrayed as more beautiful than the sun or any constellation (Wis 7:29), as Yhwh's partner in creation (Prov 8:22--30; Wis 8:4; 9:9), as Yhwh's delight (Prov 8:30), as a lover (Prov 8:17; Wis 6:12), and as wife (Wis 7:28; 8:2, 17). The many-sided characteristics of Lady Wisdom are nowhere better illustrated than in Sirach 24. This dissertation will provide a detailed study of the tradition-historical background of the imagery in Sirach 24.