Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15 & 2:23-24

Wisdom of Solomon 1:13-15 & 2:23-24
Proper 8B

Interlinear: https://biblebento.com/index.html?lxx1i&270.1.1 & https://biblebento.com/index.html?lxx1i&270.2.1

1:13 because GodA did not makeB death,C

Notes on verse 1:13a

A “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
B “make” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
C “death” = thanatos. From thnesko (to die, be dead). This is death, whether literal or spiritual. It can also refer to something that is fatal.

and he does not delightD in the destructionE of the living.F

Notes on verse 1:13b

D “delight” = terpo. From Proto-Indo-European terp (to satisfy). This is to delight or enjoy. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%81%CF%80%CF%89
E “destruction” = apoleia. 18x in NT. From apollumi (to destroy, cut off, to perish – perhaps violently; to cancel or remove); {from apo (from, away from) + ollumi (to destroy or ruin; the loss that comes from a major ruination)}. This is destruction, loss, something cut off, ruin, perdition. It can be any kind of loss whether tangible, spiritual, or eternal.
F “living” = zao. This is to live literally or figuratively. It is used for life including the vitality of humans, plants, and animals – it is life physical and spiritual and life everlasting.

14 For he createdG allH things so that they might exist;I

Notes on verse 1:14a

G “created” = ktizo. 15x in NT. Probably akin to ktaomai (to get, purchase, possess). This is to build, create, form, shape. It refers to God’s acts of creation.
H “all” = pas. This is all or every.
I “exist” = eimi. This is to be, exist.

the generative forcesJ of the worldK are wholesome,L

Notes on verse 1:14b

J “generative forces” = genesis. 5x in NT. From ginomai (to come into being, to happen, become, be born; to emerge from one state or condition to another; this is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth). This is origin, lineage, birth, genealogy, or life. It can be figurative for nature. This is where the word “genesis” comes from.
K “world” = kosmos. Perhaps from the base of komizo (to carry, convey, recover); from komeo (to take care of). This is order, the world, the universe, including its inhabitants. Literally, this is something that is ordered so it can refer to all creation. It can also refer to decoration in the sense that something is better ordered and, thus, made more beautiful. This is where “cosmos” and “cosmetics” come from.
L “wholesome” = soterios. 5x in NT. From soter (a savior, deliverer); from sozo (to save, heal, preserve, or rescue; taking someone from danger to safety; delivering or protecting literally or figuratively); from sos (safe, rescued, well). This is salvation, defender, something or someone saving.

and there isM no destructiveN poisonO in them,

Notes on verse 1:14c

M “is” = eimi. Same as “exist” in v1:14. See note I above.
N “destructive” = olethros. Related to “destruction” in v1:13. 4x in NT. From ollumi (see note E above). This is ruination, destruction, doom. It can also mean death, punishment, or undoing.
O “poison” = pharmakon. This is a drug, whether toxic or healing. So, it could be a remedy, potion, poison, or dye. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CF%86%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%BC%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%BD

and the dominionP of HadesQ is not on earth.R

Notes on verse 1:14d

P “dominion” = basileia. From basileus (king, emperor, sovereign); probably from basis (step, hence foot; a pace); from baino (to walk, to go). This is kingdom, rule, authority, sovereignty, royalty, a realm.
Q “Hades” = Hades. 10x in NT. From a (not, without) + horao (to see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience; to stare at, which implies clear discernment; by extension, attending to what was seen and learned; to see, often with a metaphorical sense, which can include inward spiritual seeing). This is Literally, the world that is not seen. It is Hades, hell, the place where the dead reside. It can also refer to the grave.
R “earth” = ge. This is earth, land, soil, region, country, the inhabitants of an area.

15 For righteousnessS is immortal.T

Notes on verse 1:15

S “righteousness” = dikaiosune. From dikaios (correct, righteous – implies innocent; this is that which conforms to God’s notion of justice, uprightness); from dike (the principle of justice; that which is right in a way that is very clear; a decision or the execution of that decision; originally, this word was for custom or usage; evolved to include the process of law, judicial hearing, execution of sentence, penalty, and even vengeance; more commonly, it refers to what is right); may be from deiknumi (to show, point out, exhibit; figurative for teach, demonstrate, make known). This is judicial or divine approval of character or action. This is righteousness, justice, justness, divine righteousness.
T “immortal” = athanatos. Related to “death” in v1:13. From a (not, without) + thanatos (see note C above). This is undying, everlasting, or perpetual. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E1%BC%80%CE%B8%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%82#Ancient_Greek

2:23 for God created usU for incorruptionV
and made us in the imageW of his ownX eternity,Y

Notes on verse 2:23

U “us” = anthropos. Related to “Hades” in v1:14. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (see note Q above)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.
V “incorruption” = aphtharisa. 8x in NT. From aphthartos (imperishable, undecaying, immortal, incorruptible); {from a (not, without) + phtheiro (to destroy, corrupt, ruin, deteriorate, wither; also used of moral corruption); from phthio (perish, waste away)}. This is incorruptibility – not able to decay. So, it is used for immortality. Figuratively, it can also mean genuineness.
W “image” = eikon. From eiko (resemble, be like) OR perhaps related to eiko (to submit, give way, be weak, yield). This is a likeness such as an image, statue, or other representation. It implies a prototype that is being mirrored – a replication rather than a shadow. It can be an image in a figurative sense as well. This is where the word “icon” comes from.
X “own” = idios. This is something that belongs to you or that is personal, private, apart. It indicates a stronger sense of possession than a simple possessive pronoun. This is where “idiot” comes from (denoting someone who hasn’t had formal training or education and so they rely on their own understanding).
Y “eternity” = aidiotes. From aei (ever, always, unceasingly, perpetually; on every occasion). This is eternity or everlasting.

24 but through an adversary’sZ envyAA death enteredBB the world,

Notes on verse 2:24a

Z “adversary’s” = diabolos. From diaballo (laying a charge against someone, generally with hostility; literally, to thrust through or cast back and forth– used for slandering, accusing, or gossiping; whether or not the sentiment is true, it is spread with negative intention); {from dia (through, across, because of, thoroughly) + ballo (to throw, cast, place, put, drop)}. This is a properly a slanderer or someone who accuses falsely – criticizing unfairly with the intent to cause harm or damage character. This can also mean backbiter or malicious gossip. Also, the Slanderer, the Devil.
AA “envy” = phthonos. Related to “incorruption” in v2:23. 9x in NT. Perhaps from phtheiro (see note V above). This is jealousy, spite, or ill-will. It can also be feeling glad when misfortune befalls another (akin to Schadenfreude).
BB “entered” = eiserchomai. From eis (to, into, for, among) + erchomai (to come, go). This is to go in in a literal or figurative sense.

and those who belongCC to his companyDD experienceEE it.

Notes on verse 2:24b

CC “belong” = eimi. Same as “exist” in v1:14. See note I above.
DD “company” = meris. From meros (a part or share, portion); from meiromai (to get one’s allotment or portion). This is portion, share, district. It can be literal or figurative.
EE “experience” = peirazo. From peira (trial, experiment, attempt, experience, assaying); from the base of peran (over, beyond, across); akin to pera (on the far side); from a derivative of peiro (to pierce). This is to test, try, tempt, or make proof of. It is to test, scrutinize, or assay something. It could also be examine, entice, prove, or discipline.


Image credit: “Dust Dancing Project (I): Eden.”
Produced and/or Organized by: Flavio Grynszpan and Louis Weijl
Dancers: Keren Notik, Rotem Viner Tchaikovsky, Amir May Tal, Eden Dafna, Sharon Michaeli Baranes (RStudio)
Photos and Image Processing and Retouching: Flavio Grynszpan, Louis Weijl & Corina Zipp

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