SUMMARY
Woman WisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... builds her house, sets her table, and issues invitations to all.
ANALYSIS
Proverbs 9:1-12 is the final passage that speaks directly of Woman Wisdom in both the third and first person. (See “Woman Wisdom as Prophet, Teacher, PriestA priest is a person who has the authority to perform religious rites. In New Testament times priests were responsible for daily offerings and sacrifices in the temple., Master Worker, Child of God, and Order of the Universe” entry in Bible in the World – Proverbs.) We return to familiar themes. Once again, as in chapter 8, Wisdom is a master builder. But now she builds her own house, much as the Woman of Strength/Worth in Proverbs 31:10-31. (See “View of Women in Proverbs” entry in Bible in the World – Proverbs.) More than this, in v. 2 Wisdom mixes her wine and sets her table, and then she says in v. 5: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed…” We are taken to the communion table, and the identification of JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. and Woman Wisdom is invoked (See MatthewA tax collector who became one of Jesus' 12 disciples. 26:26-29; John 6:32-35; 47-51). She continues in vv. 6-12 to speak words of wisdom using the familiar imagery of walking in the way, giving instruction, and speaking the familiar refrain in v.10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
