Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 91 No. 2, 2021.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.91.2.7
Miriam and Abigail - Two Wise Women in the Bible
Karlo Višaticki
orcid.org/0000-0003-4683-4812
Abstract
In the introduction, the article presents a reflection on the biblical Old Testament wisdom. A whole group of Old Testament writings has a character of wisdom or sapiential writings in both, Hebrew and Catholic canon of inspired writings. There is a whole line of Old Testament characters who belong to the category of sages. This refers to practical wisdom that is needed for prudential administration of one's own life, but, in some cases, of the life of one's family, tribe, or even the whole nation of Israel. Apart from renowned characters such as Joseph of Egypt, King David, or king Salomon, the article also mentions »wise women«, such as Esther or Judith, and focuses in more detail on two Old Testament characters: Miriam and Abigail. According to biblical reports, Miriam has an important role in saving her brother Moses from certain death and assumes later on the role of a wise woman and prophet. Abigail was first the wife of Nabal, a landowner from Charmel, who was of rough and hard character. In a possible conflict between David, who is still a wanderer, but in the phase of rising to the kingly power, Abigail reacts very wisely, prudentially and, in this way, evades a direct conflict of David's men with Nabal, as well as a possible tragedy.
Keywords
wisdom; Old Testament wisdom; Miriam; Abigail; David; Nabal.
Hrčak ID:
266290
URI
Publication date:
29.7.2021.
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