Wisdom of Solomon facts for kids

The Book of Wisdom is a special book found in some versions of the Bible, like those used by the Catholic and Orthodox Christian groups. It was officially included in their Bibles a long time ago, first by a meeting called the Council of Carthage in the year 397, and later confirmed by Catholic leaders at the Council of Trent in 1546.

This book was written by a Jewish person in Ancient Egypt, around 100 years before Jesus was born (1st century BC). It teaches us a lot about how important it is to be wise. It also explains why living without wisdom can lead to silly mistakes. The Book of Wisdom shows how wisdom helped important people from the Old Testament, like Adam, Noah, and Abraham. It also describes how God's wisdom guided the history of the Israelites, especially during big events like their journey out of Egypt, known as the Exodus.

What is the Book of Wisdom?

The Book of Wisdom is a part of the Bible that focuses on the idea of "wisdom." It's not just about being smart in school, but about understanding how to live a good life, make good choices, and know what is right. It teaches that true wisdom comes from God.

Who Wrote It?

The person who wrote the Book of Wisdom is not named, but we know they were a Jewish writer living in Ancient Egypt. This was a time when many Jewish people lived outside of their homeland. The book was written in Greek, which was a common language in Egypt back then.

When Was It Written?

This book was written in the 1st century BC. This means it was completed about 100 years before the time of Jesus Christ. It's one of the last books written before the New Testament began.

Why is Wisdom Important?

The Book of Wisdom explains that wisdom is a gift from God. It helps people understand the world and make choices that lead to a happy and meaningful life.

Wisdom vs. Foolishness

The book often compares a wise life to a foolish one. It shows that people who ignore wisdom often end up in trouble or make bad decisions. On the other hand, those who seek wisdom find peace and guidance.

Wisdom in History

The Book of Wisdom looks back at stories from the Old Testament to show how God's wisdom has always been at work.

• Adam and Eve: It talks about how wisdom helped Adam understand God's rules.
• Noah: Wisdom guided Noah to build the ark and survive the great flood.
• Abraham: Wisdom helped Abraham trust God and become the father of a great nation.
• The Exodus: The book describes how God's wisdom protected the Israelites when they left Egypt and journeyed through the desert. It shows how God used His wisdom to perform miracles and guide His people.

Where is it in the Bible?

The Book of Wisdom is found in the Old Testament section of Bibles used by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It is not included in the Bibles used by most Protestant Christians. Books like this, which are in some Bibles but not others, are sometimes called "deuterocanonical" books.

Councils and Decisions

The decision to include the Book of Wisdom in the Bible was made over many centuries.

• Council of Carthage (397 AD): This was an early meeting of Christian leaders who discussed which books should be part of the Bible. They decided to include the Book of Wisdom.
• Council of Trent (1546 AD): Much later, during a time of big changes in Christianity, Catholic leaders met again at the Council of Trent. They re-confirmed that the Book of Wisdom was a true and important part of their Bible.