Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 7: Meaning

Solomon explains that he prayed for wisdom and loved her above all riches, and describes her amazing qualities.

Summary

The speaker, writing in the voice of Solomon, starts by saying he is just a regular human being like everyone else. He was born the same way as all people and came into the world crying like every newborn. No king has a special start in life. Everyone enters and leaves the world the same way.

Because he knew he was just human, Solomon prayed for wisdom. When he did, understanding was given to him. He says he valued wisdom more than kingdoms, wealth, jewels, or even his own health. He chose wisdom above everything else. And when he got wisdom, every other good thing came along with her, wealth and all good things followed.

Solomon then describes wisdom in beautiful detail. She is like a breath from God himself. She is pure, brilliant, and moves through all things. She is smarter than the stars and brighter than sunlight. Nothing evil can get past her. She works through people to create friends of God and prophets. Solomon lists 21 qualities she has, like being intelligent, holy, kind, all-powerful, and loving what is good. He shares all this freely because wisdom is a treasure meant to be given away, not hidden.

Historical Context

This chapter is written as though King Solomon is speaking. Solomon was famous in ancient Israel for his great wisdom, he was said to have prayed for wisdom instead of riches when God offered him anything he wanted. That story is found in 1 Kings.

The Wisdom of Solomon was written in Greek, likely in Egypt, centuries after Solomon lived. The author wrote in Solomon's voice to give the book authority and to show that even the wisest, most powerful king in history knew that wisdom only comes from God.