This verse from 4 Maccabees 1:16 defines wisdom as a comprehensive understanding encompassing both the divine and the human realms, including the reasons and origins behind them. Let's break down each part:
"And wisdom is a knowledge of divine and human things..."
"Wisdom": This is the central concept. The verse aims to define what true wisdom truly entails.
"Knowledge of divine things": This refers to understanding God, the nature of the spiritual world, divine laws, providence, and potentially theology and cosmology. It's about understanding the realm beyond the physical and human.
"Knowledge of human things": This refers to understanding human nature, society, ethics, politics, psychology, and the human condition in general. It's about grasping the complexities of human existence, morality, and social structures.
"...and of their causes."
"Causes": This is a crucial addition. It means wisdom is not just about knowing what things are, but also why they are. It demands understanding the origins, the underlying principles, and the reasons behind both divine and human phenomena.
This implies a quest for deeper understanding. It's not superficial knowledge, but a desire to comprehend the fundamental reasons behind reality.
In summary, the verse suggests that true wisdom is a holistic understanding of the universe, encompassing both the divine and the human, and, importantly, understanding the causes that govern both realms. It emphasizes the importance of seeking the fundamental principles behind existence and not just the surface-level details.
Context within 4 Maccabees:
It's also important to consider the context of this verse within 4 Maccabees. The book is a philosophical and theological treatise aimed at demonstrating the supremacy of pious reason (specifically, reason guided by Jewish law) over the passions. In this light, the definition of wisdom here connects to the overall argument:
The author is establishing the foundation for his argument. If wisdom is understanding the divine and human realms and their causes, then it is essential for virtuous living and mastering the passions.
The author wants to show that pious reason, as defined by Jewish law, can achieve this wisdom.
Understanding the "causes" allows one to make reasoned decisions and to control impulses because it reveals the proper order and purpose of things.
Therefore, the verse is not just a generic definition of wisdom, but a statement that sets the stage for the rest of the book's argument about the importance of pious reason in achieving moral virtue and ultimate triumph over the passions. This conception of wisdom is aligned with Hellenistic philosophical ideals and integrated into a specifically Jewish framework.
This verse from 4 Maccabees 1:16 defines wisdom as a comprehensive understanding encompassing both the divine and the human realms, including the reasons and origins behind them. Let's break down each part:
"And wisdom is a knowledge of divine and human things..."
"Wisdom": This is the central concept. The verse aims to define what true wisdom truly entails.
"Knowledge of divine things": This refers to understanding God, the nature of the spiritual world, divine laws, providence, and potentially theology and cosmology. It's about understanding the realm beyond the physical and human.
"Knowledge of human things": This refers to understanding human nature, society, ethics, politics, psychology, and the human condition in general. It's about grasping the complexities of human existence, morality, and social structures.
"...and of their causes."
"Causes": This is a crucial addition. It means wisdom is not just about knowing what things are, but also why they are. It demands understanding the origins, the underlying principles, and the reasons behind both divine and human phenomena.
This implies a quest for deeper understanding. It's not superficial knowledge, but a desire to comprehend the fundamental reasons behind reality.
In summary, the verse suggests that true wisdom is a holistic understanding of the universe, encompassing both the divine and the human, and, importantly, understanding the causes that govern both realms. It emphasizes the importance of seeking the fundamental principles behind existence and not just the surface-level details.
Context within 4 Maccabees:
It's also important to consider the context of this verse within 4 Maccabees. The book is a philosophical and theological treatise aimed at demonstrating the supremacy of pious reason (specifically, reason guided by Jewish law) over the passions. In this light, the definition of wisdom here connects to the overall argument:
The author is establishing the foundation for his argument. If wisdom is understanding the divine and human realms and their causes, then it is essential for virtuous living and mastering the passions.
The author wants to show that pious reason, as defined by Jewish law, can achieve this wisdom.
Understanding the "causes" allows one to make reasoned decisions and to control impulses because it reveals the proper order and purpose of things.
Therefore, the verse is not just a generic definition of wisdom, but a statement that sets the stage for the rest of the book's argument about the importance of pious reason in achieving moral virtue and ultimate triumph over the passions. This conception of wisdom is aligned with Hellenistic philosophical ideals and integrated into a specifically Jewish framework.