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WISDOM IN THE THRONE

In addition to the enthronement language, there is further evidence in Wisdom of Solomon that Wisdom has roots in angelomophic traditions.

The historical review in 10:1-21 of Wisdom's involvement in the lives of the patriarchs and Moses provides evidence that some actions associated with angelomophic traditions in the Pentateuch have been re-interpreted and assimilated to Wisdom.

Firstly: Wis. 10:6 Where Wisdom rescues Lot. In contrast, Gen. 18:1- 19:23 states the rescue was the work of 2 angels who accompanied G-D. In Wis. 10:6 Wisdom rescued a righteous man (Lot) when the ungodly were perishing, he escaped the fire that descended on 5 cities.

Gen. 19:16 But, Lot lingered, so the men (2 angels in Gen. 19:1) seized him, his wife and daughters by the hand ... and set him outside the city.

Secondly: Wisdom is said to be the one who leads Israel out of Egypt in a pillar of cloud/fire.

Wis. 10:17 She gave the holy men the reward for their labours, she guided them along the marvellous way, and became a shelter to them by day, and a starry flame though the night.

18: She bought them over the Red Sea, and led them through the deep waters.

19: But she drowned the enemies and cast them up from the depth of the sea.

G-D is himself guided by the pillars of cloud/fire according to some Exodus texts. (13:21-22; 14:24)

(Exod. 15:1-19) These same actions are ascribed to the angel of the Lord in the Hebrew Bible.

Ex 14:19 Then the angel of Elohim who went before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.

Ex 23:20 Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.

Num 20:15 You know our fathers went down to Egypt ... were dealt with harshly ... cried to YHWH.

He heard our voice and sent an angel and bought us forth out of Egypt.

Judg. 2:1 Now the Angel of YHWH went up from Gilgal to Bochim. And he said, "I bought you up to the land that I swore to give to your fathers."

Sir 24:4 Wisdom states "My Throne was in a Pillar of Cloud."

"Philo was aware of a special angel in the cloud who could not be seen by the naked eye." (Vita Mos 1:166) "For a cloud, fashioned into the form of a vast pillar, went before the multitude by day, giving forth a light like that of the sun, but by night it displayed a fiery blaze, in order that the Hebrews did not wonder ... without deviation."

Perhaps indeed, this was one of the lieutenants of the great King, an unseen angel, a guide of the way (Ex 23:21) enveloped in this cloud, whom it was not lawful to behold with the eyes of the body.

One remaining example of Angelomophic traditions in Wisdom 10, concerning Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac, Wisdom is said to have kept Abraham "... strong in the face of his compassion for his child." (10.5b)

The only figure with Abraham and Isaac in the Genesis narrative is the Angel of the Lord. (22:11,15) See the Word: Gen. 15:1-4; 1 Sam. 3:1-6, 10, 21; Jer. 1:4-13; 1 Kings 19:4-9.

The Word of YHWH came to Elijah and said:"What are you doing here, Elijah?"