Wise man or woman?

2

Again, we are not told the answer to this question, so we do not know.

There was, as recorded in 2 Sam 20:15-22, the example of the wise woman whose advice saved the little city of Abel-Beth-maachah; her name is not recorded.

For what it is worth, Benson suggests this is a fabricated parable. However, the Pulpit Commentary suggests otherwise:

   Verse 13. - This wisdom have I seen also under the sun; better, as the Septuagint, This also I saw to be wisdom under the sun. The experience which follows he recognized as an instance of worldly wisdom. To what special event he alludes is quite unknown. Probably the circumstance was familiar to his contemporaries. It is not to be considered as an allegory, though of course it is capable of spiritual application.

Share Edit Follow Flag answered Oct 15 '20 at 20:05 Dottard 45.5k22 gold badges1616 silver badges7272 bronze badges

   The history of Israel is a parable De 28:37, which is the source for sensus plenior. Since Solomon is telling a parable, he MAY be substituting symbols for the reality. Jude uses 'body of Moses' referring to Israel as the bride, rather than 'body of Christ' which is the church. Solomon speaks in riddles through much of Eccl. Short version: male = those who know. Female = those who receive teaching. In a literal telling of 2 Sam 20:15ff he would use 'woman'. In the parable he would use 'man' to be consistent in the symbols. I think you found the source. – Bob Jones 14 mins ago  
   This symbolism is the same used by Paul in saying the man is Christ and the church is the bride, by Jesus in saying angels don't marry, by the Gospel of Thomas saying that women must become male, and by the Sikhs saying that men must become virgins, by Jeremiah to say all men would be pregnant. Angels are male, the ignorant must be taught, the taught become the bride, the bride is fruitful. – Bob Jones 9 mins ago  
   ** I am only making observation of GOT and Sikhs, not endorsing. They aren't required to make the Biblical connections. BTW. Now you also know the symbolic source for 'knowing' used for intimate relations of husband and wife. The husband is the giver, the wife the receiver. Christ 'knows'/teaches his bride. 'Yada' ידע = his flesh י-ע with the commandment ד placed in the heart. Some he never knew-taught. – Bob Jones 2 mins ago 

 Edit