Work

Looking for wisdom in Wis 11:2–19:2: between universalism and particularism

Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The retelling of the exodus narrative in the second half of Wis 11:2–19:22 has often been treated as a thematic shift from sapiential universalism to Jewish particularism. The aim of this article is to contribute to our understanding of Wis 11:2–19:22 through a reappropriation of its universalistic outlook. I argue here that Pseudo-Solomon’s retelling of Israel’s Heilsgeschichte remains focused on the universal order of creation even when discussing themes, such as the punishment of the Egyptians in the exodus narrative, which would lend themselves to polemical and particularistic tones. Integrating creatively historical narrative and sapiential observation of nature, Pseudo-Solomon develops a reflection in which Israel’s particularistic “history of salvation” is at the same time a universal “natural history of salvation” in which salvation reveals itself in the very mechanics of God’s creation.
Language: English
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W3090331762
FWCI: 2.195
Cites:
Cited by: 1
Related to: 10