The tent of wisdom.

[Ben C. Smith]

A point from G. A. Wells (sorry, I forget which book) on how Lady Wisdom might have been imagined, not only as visiting humans (Proverbs 1.20-33; 1 Enoch 42.1-3; et cetera), but also as taking on flesh in a kind of incarnation.

We know that the metaphor of a tent might be used to mean the human body. Wisdom of Solomon 9.15 RSV:

15 ...for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent [σκῆνος] burdens the thoughtful mind.

2 Corinthians 5.1 NASB:

1 For we know that if the earthly tent [τοῦ σκήνους] which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Peter 1.14 NASB:

14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling [σκηνώματός, literally, tent] is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

So what if this metaphor were read into Wisdom of Sirach 24.8 RSV (Lady Wisdom herself is speaking here)?

Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and the one who created me assigned a place for my tent [τὴν σκηνήν μου]. And he said, 'Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.'

Confer John 1.14 NASB:

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt [ἐσκήνωσεν, literally pitched his tent] among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ben.

[outhouse]

We know that the metaphor of a tent might be used to mean the human body. 2 Corinthians 5.1 NASB:




Ben.

Hey Ben.


I see your point, and the new living translation states just that.

I personally see it as tabernacle or house, and in context "residence"