Exodus in Wisdom of Solomon

Maurice Gilbert SJ explores Exodus motifs in Wis 10:15–19:22 in the context of the entire writing. Therefore, the Greek text, its unity, literary structure and genre, main theological themes, and its date is scholarly discussed first. The main Exodus motifs which are explored are Moses, the plagues and the portrayal of God. Five characteristics are summarised: hymnal anamnesis in rewriting the exodus’ events, the universalism of the message, the Jewish reading of the books of Genesis, Exodus and Numbers, the actualisation of the rewritten exodus, and the eschatology in Wis 10–19. Additional Exodus motifs in the section are the manna and the creation renewal. The Book of Wisdom is regarded as an encomium which is demonstrated at Wis 10–19. In terms of the reception of Exodus motifs, the term ‛midrashic rewriting’ is used to explain the relationship between the two OT books.