Wisdom
Quick Summary
Wisdom, in its most basic sense, refers to the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, good judgment, or accumulated knowledge. In religious contexts, particularly within the Hebrew wisdom movement, wisdom was seen as a practical and intelligent way to conduct life, often conveyed through maxims and parables.12
The book of Proverbs is a key example of this, offering guidance for a successful and moral life. While practical wisdom focused on worldly success, speculative wisdom delved into deeper questions about life, good and evil, and the justice of human existence, as seen in books like Job and Ecclesiastes.2
In Islamic thought, a "new wisdom" emerged, synthesizing philosophy and mysticism. This tradition sought the highest wisdom, often believing it was attained through inner illumination, dreams, or visions, incorporating elements of ancient Greek philosophy.34
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gnosticismAdversus haereses…divine entity to emerge is Wisdom. But unlike the other entities, Wisdom is said to be without a consort. Her attempt to find one, though well intentioned, leads her away from the supernal realm to lower regions, and she generates an inferior “first ruler” who then creates the material world.
Read More…divine entity to emerge is Wisdom. But unlike the other entities, Wisdom is said to be without a consort. Her attempt to find one, though well intentioned, leads her away from the supernal realm to lower regions, and she generates an inferior “first ruler” who then creates the material world.
Read More- gnosticismApocryphon of John
Wisdom, the lowest entity in the realm of perfection, creates Ialdabaoth in an unauthorized attempt to produce a likeness of herself. Ialdabaoth in turn creates the material cosmos and rules it with subordinate powers who are his own imperfect offspring. A willful and malevolent figure,…
Read MoreWisdom, the lowest entity in the realm of perfection, creates Ialdabaoth in an unauthorized attempt to produce a likeness of herself. Ialdabaoth in turn creates the material cosmos and rules it with subordinate powers who are his own imperfect offspring. A willful and malevolent figure,…
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JudaismBible and Apocrypha…theological context, the concept of Wisdom (Ḥokhma), which was to have a primordial significance for Jewish thought, and presents it as the first and favorite of God’s creations. It is also praised, in the book of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), as instilled by God into…
Read More…theological context, the concept of Wisdom (Ḥokhma), which was to have a primordial significance for Jewish thought, and presents it as the first and favorite of God’s creations. It is also praised, in the book of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), as instilled by God into…
Read More- JudaismSefer ha-bahir
…survivals of gnostic speculation on Sophia (“Wisdom”), who is involved, sometimes to her misfortune, in the material world. This power is also the divine “Presence” (Shekhina) of rabbinical theology, though it is profoundly transformed: it has become a hypostasis. By a bold innovation, it is characterized as a feminine being…
Read More…survivals of gnostic speculation on Sophia (“Wisdom”), who is involved, sometimes to her misfortune, in the material world. This power is also the divine “Presence” (Shekhina) of rabbinical theology, though it is profoundly transformed: it has become a hypostasis. By a bold innovation, it is characterized as a feminine being…
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