volume 14, issue 2, 2022, pages 231-250

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64438/sbsBVAZ2772
Published online: 2022-12-01
Published in print: 2022-12-30

Abstract: The theme of wisdom המָכְחָ belongs to the main theological subjects in the books of both the Hebrew bible and the Greek Septuagint. A similar observation can be found in the multifunctional use of the motif of spirit חַוּר. Whereas more than 350 occurrences of the lexeme חַוּר is abundantly used in the prophets like Isaiah, Ezechiel or in the Writings like Psalms, Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the dominant usage of the lexeme המָכְחָ has its 149 occurrences in 1Kings (17 ×), Job (18 ×), Proverbs (39 ×) and Ecclesiastes (28 ×). The combination of these two lexemes – “the spirit of wisdom” – is very rare in the Bible and this essay examines the use and meaning of this syntagm within three occurrences in the Hebrew Bible: Exod 28:3; Deut 34:9 and Isa 11:2. The syntagm in these biblical passages will be discussed first in their own literary context. Then their interpretation may serve as one small contribution for further theological discussion on the significance of a gradual change of the meaning of wisdom within the Old Testament.