This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 7:3 emphasizes the shared humanity of Solomon, despite his great wisdom and power. Let's break it down:
"And I also, when I was born, drew in the common air..." This highlights that Solomon's birth was no different than any other human being's. He needed to breathe the same air that sustains all life. There's nothing inherently special about his physical arrival into the world.
"...And fell upon the kindred earth..." "Kindred earth" suggests the idea that we are all connected to the earth and to each other through our shared origin. It points to a common origin and shared physical reality for all humans.
"...Uttering, like all, for my first voice, the selfsame wail:" This is the most powerful part of the verse. Every newborn child, regardless of status or destiny, cries or wails upon entering the world. This cry is a universal expression of vulnerability, need, and perhaps even the shock of transition from the womb. The phrase "selfsame wail" emphasizes the universality of this experience.
In essence, the verse conveys the following ideas:
Solomon's humility: Despite being renowned for his wisdom and kingship, Solomon is reminding the reader that he started life just like everyone else. He was born helpless and dependent, sharing the same fundamental experiences as all humans.
Shared humanity: The verse underscores the commonality of human experience. We are all born into the same world, breathing the same air, and expressing our initial vulnerability in the same way.
Emphasis on equality at birth: Before societal distinctions and achievements, all humans are equal in their helplessness and dependence at birth.
This passage sets the stage for Solomon's later discussion about how he gained wisdom, implying that his wisdom wasn't simply a birthright but something he had to seek and cultivate. By highlighting his common origins, Solomon can then present his path to wisdom as potentially accessible to others.
This verse from Wisdom of Solomon 7:3 emphasizes the shared humanity of Solomon, despite his great wisdom and power. Let's break it down:
"And I also, when I was born, drew in the common air..." This highlights that Solomon's birth was no different than any other human being's. He needed to breathe the same air that sustains all life. There's nothing inherently special about his physical arrival into the world.
"...And fell upon the kindred earth..." "Kindred earth" suggests the idea that we are all connected to the earth and to each other through our shared origin. It points to a common origin and shared physical reality for all humans.
"...Uttering, like all, for my first voice, the selfsame wail:" This is the most powerful part of the verse. Every newborn child, regardless of status or destiny, cries or wails upon entering the world. This cry is a universal expression of vulnerability, need, and perhaps even the shock of transition from the womb. The phrase "selfsame wail" emphasizes the universality of this experience.
In essence, the verse conveys the following ideas:
Solomon's humility: Despite being renowned for his wisdom and kingship, Solomon is reminding the reader that he started life just like everyone else. He was born helpless and dependent, sharing the same fundamental experiences as all humans.
Shared humanity: The verse underscores the commonality of human experience. We are all born into the same world, breathing the same air, and expressing our initial vulnerability in the same way.
Emphasis on equality at birth: Before societal distinctions and achievements, all humans are equal in their helplessness and dependence at birth.
This passage sets the stage for Solomon's later discussion about how he gained wisdom, implying that his wisdom wasn't simply a birthright but something he had to seek and cultivate. By highlighting his common origins, Solomon can then present his path to wisdom as potentially accessible to others.