The Paradox of Purity: Interpretation and Theological Implications of the Words καθαρός [katharos] and καθαρότης [katharotēs] in Wis 7:22–28

Mateusz Krawczyk

doi:10.21697/ct.2020.90.5.10

Published: 2021-03-29

Vol. 90 No. 5 (2020)

The Paradox of Purity: Interpretation and Theological Implications of the Words καθαρός [katharos] and καθαρότης [katharotēs] in Wis 7:22–28

Mateusz Krawczyk

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.5.10

Abstract

The double use of the word with the καθαρ root in the text of Wis 7:22–28 may set the interpretative direction for the discussion of the whole pericope. The exegesis of the pericope in the key of purity shows the following possibility of understanding the text: the moral aspect of purity of Wisdom can be imparted by it to pure people. A contradiction (paradox) in the text which concerns the subject of purity is observed: purity is, on the one hand, a condition, on the other, an effect of Wisdom’s imparting action. A look at the further context of pericope Wis 7:22–28 (in particular Wis 9 and Wis 10) can lead to a probable solution to this potential contradiction: it lies in the idea of being elected by God, which anticipates human action.

Keywords:

purity, cleanness, God’s election, Book of Wisdom, Wis 7:22–28

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Mateusz Krawczyk, Paradox of Purity. Interpretation and Theological Implications of Words καθαρός (pure, clean) and καθαρότης (purity, cleanness) in Wisd 7:22-28 , Collectanea Theologica: Vol. 86 No. 1 (2016)

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Krawczyk, M. (2021). The Paradox of Purity: Interpretation and Theological Implications of the Words καθαρός [katharos] and καθαρότης [katharotēs] in Wis 7:22–28. Collectanea Theologica, 90(5), 221–239. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.5.10

Cited by / Share

Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

References

Mateusz Krawczyk, “Paradoks czystości. Interpretacja oraz implikacje teologiczne słowa καθαρóς (‘czysty’) oraz καθαρóτης (‘czystość’) w Mdr 7,22-28,” Collectanea Theologica 86 (2016) no. 1, 5–24.
Google Scholar

Authorized Version Apocrypha, 1769 Blayney Edition (KJA), Oxford 1769, BibleWorks, v. 9.
Google Scholar

Biblia Tysiąclecia: Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu w przekładzie z języków oryginalnych (BT), ed. 4, Poznań 1983.
Google Scholar

Biblia Tysiąclecia: Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu w przekładzie z języków oryginalnych (BT), ed. 5, Poznań 1999.
Google Scholar

Demosthenes, The Third Philippics, Greek text and English translation after: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/ (access 12.12.2020).
Google Scholar

The Letter of Pseudo-Aristeas, Greek text after: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/swete/greekot.vii.ii.html (access 08.09.2015).
Google Scholar

New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRS), New York 1989, BibleWorks, v. 9.
Google Scholar

Plato, Phaedo, Greek text and English translation after: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/ (access 12.12.2020).
Google Scholar

Rahlfs A., Septuaginta: Id est Vetus Testamentum iuxta LXX interpretes edidit Alfred Rahlfs (LXT), Stuttgart 1935, BibleWorks, v. 9.
Google Scholar

Theognis of Megara, The Elegiac Poems, Greek text and English translation after: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/ (access 12.12.2020).
Google Scholar

Freedman D.N. (ed.), Anchor Bible Dictionary (AB), vol. 6, New York 1992.
Google Scholar

Gilbert M., “L’éloge de la Sagesse (Sg 7-9),” in: La Sagesse et Jésus-Christ (Cahiers Evangiles 32), Paris 1980, 33–36.
Google Scholar

Gilbert M., Mądrość Salomona, vol. 1, transl. S. Kobiałka, Kraków 2002. (= M. Gilbert, La Sapienza di Salomone, Roma 1995).
Google Scholar

Gilbert M., “Volonté de Dieu et don de la Sagesse (Sg 9,17s.)”, in: Nouvelle Revue Théologique 1971, 145–166, after: http://www.nrt.be/docs/articles/1971/93-2/1300-Volont%C3%A9+de+Dieu+et+don+de+la+Sagesse+%28Sg+9%2C17+s.%29.pdf (access 03.09.2015).
Google Scholar

Grabbe L.L., Wisdom of Solomon, Sheffield 1997.
Google Scholar

Kittel G., Friedrich G., Bromiley G.W., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Abridged (TDNT), Grand Rapids 1985. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/bci-003t
Google Scholar

Lambdin T.O., Wprowadzenie do hebrajskiego biblijnego, Lublin 2012.
Google Scholar

Larcher C., Études su le livre de la Sagesse, Paris 1969.
Google Scholar

Larcher C., Le livre do la Sagesse ou la Sagesse de Salomon, vol. 2, Paris 1984.
Google Scholar

Liddell H.G., Scott R., Jones H.S., McKenzie R., A Greek-English Lexicon: With a Revised Supplement (LSJ), 9th ed., Oxford 1996.
Google Scholar

Lust J., Eynikel E., Hauspie K., Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint, Revised ed. (LEH), Stuttgart 2003, BibleWorks, v. 9.
Google Scholar

Osty E., Le livre de la Sagesse (La Sainte Bible), Paris 1957.
Google Scholar

Pirot L., Robert A. (eds.), Dictionnaire de la Bible, vol. 5, Paris 1957.
Google Scholar

Poniży B., Księga Mądrości. Od egzegezy do teologii, Poznań 2000.
Google Scholar

Poniży B., Księga Mądrości. Wstęp – przekład z oryginału – komentarz (Nowy Komentarz Biblijny ST XX), Częstochowa 2012.
Google Scholar

Poniży B., “Pojęcia hellenistyczne w Księdze Mądrości,” Poznańskie Studia Teologiczne 2002, 73–85.
Google Scholar

Poniży B., “Przesłanie Mdr 19, podsumowującego rozdziału Księgi Mądrości,” Collectanea Theologica 77 (2007) no. 1, 5–28.
Google Scholar

Winston D., The Wisdom of Solomon. A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Bible 43), Garden City 1979. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9780300261837
Google Scholar

Wojciechowski M., “List Pseudo-Arysteasza,” Studia Theologica Varsaviensia 40 (2002) no. 1, 121–167.
Google Scholar