Texts in Conversation
Wisdom of Solomon 2:6 and 1 Enoch 102:9 reflect a developing line of Jewish tradition that expresses skepticism toward wealth and the ease it brings to those who act unjustly. Both texts depict sinners as enjoying prosperity while disregarding the fate of the righteous, implying that such success is ultimately deceptive.
Share:
1 Enoch 102:9
Pseudepigrapha
8 And what will they receive and what will they see forever? Behold, they too have died, and henceforth forever shall they see no light.' 9 I say to you, you sinners, you are content to eat and drink and rob and sin and strip people bare and accumulate wealth and see good days. 10 Have you observed the righteous how their end transpires, that no violence is found in them until their death?
Date: 200-50 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Wisdom of Solomon 2:6
Deuterocanon
4 Our name will be forgotten in time, and no one will remember our works; our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud, and be scattered like mist that is chased by the rays of the sun and overcome by its heat. 5 For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow, and there is no return from our death, because it is sealed up and no one turns back. 6 "Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that exist, and make use of the creation to the full as in youth. 7 Let us take our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no flower of spring pass us by. 8 Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither.
Date: 100-50 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Search:
Notes and References
"... The author portrays the sinners’ understanding of reward as misconstrued (compare Wisdom of Solomon 2:6–12). The sinners’ perspective is not the consequence of wisdom or piety, but rather comes at the expense of others. If there is no distinction between the righteous and wicked in death, then they might as well sin if it means this will bring them prosperity (as e.g. the caricature of the sinners in Proverbs 1:11–14). However, the opponents’ view would not have necessarily been an open manifesto to engage in sin per se, but rather for them would have been an acceptable sapiential tradition ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.