“Mrs. Wisdom”

Friday, October 14, 2016

Is it plausible to say that "Wisdom" is an actual spiritual being of some sort?  Reading Proverbs seems to give me that impression.

Sincerely,
Scratching My Head

Dear Scratching My Head,

Proverbs uses figurative language to talk about the importance of wisdom, but wisdom isn’t a physical being.  The verses you are referring to are found in Proverbs 8.  The figurative language being used is called ‘personification’.  Personification gives human characteristics to an object, animal, or in this case, an idea.  Pr 8:2 talks about wisdom standing in the streets, and Pr 8:12 says wisdom “dwells in prudence”.  These are both great examples of personification.

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