-
WisdomAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
one, but the very lips of the wise ones will guard them.” They wisely hold back from presumptuous, harsh or precipitous speech. (Prov. 14:3; 17:27, 28; Eccl. 10:12-14) From the tongue and lips of the wise comes well-thought-out, healing, pleasant, beneficial speech (Prov. 12:18; 16:21; Eccl. 12:9-11; Col. 3:15, 16), and instead of stirring up trouble they seek to bring calm and to ‘win souls’ by wise persuasion.—Prov. 11:30; 15:1-7; 16:21-23; 29:8.
Those who become ‘wise in their own eyes,’ elevating themselves above others (even above God), are worse off than the person who is stupid but does not pretend to be otherwise. (Prov. 26:5, 12; 12:15) Such self-assuming persons are too proud to accept correction. (Prov. 3:7; 15:12; Isa. 5:20, 21) Paradoxically, both the lazy man and the man who gains riches tend toward this attitude. (Prov. 26:16; 28:11; compare 1 Timothy 6:17.) But “an earring of gold, and an ornament of special gold, is a wise reprover upon the hearing ear” (Prov. 25:12); yes, “give a reproof to a wise person and he will love you.”—Prov. 9:8; 15:31-33.
Wisdom in the family
Wisdom builds up a household, not just a building, but the family and its successful life as a unit (Prov. 24:3, 4; compare Proverbs 3:19, 20; Psalm 104:5-24.) Wise parents do not hold back the rod and reproof, but by discipline and counsel protect their children against delinquency. (Prov. 29:15) The wise wife contributes greatly to the success and happiness of the family. (Prov. 14:1; 31:26) Children who wisely submit to parental discipline bring joy and honor to the family, upholding its reputation against slander or accusation, and give proof to others of their fathers’ wisdom and training.—Prov. 10:1; 13:1; 15:20; 23:24, 25; 27:11.
-
-
WitnessAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
WITNESS
See LEGAL CASE.
-
-
WolfAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
WOLF
A carnivorous animal resembling a large German shepherd dog but having longer legs, larger feet, a broader head and stronger jaws. It is reported that in Palestine and Syria wolves usually hunt singly or in twos or threes, not in packs. They seek their prey under the cover of darkness, remaining in hiding during the day. (Hab. 1:8; Zeph. 3:3) Wolves are fierce, voracious, bold and greedy, often killing more sheep than they can eat or drag away. The shepherd of ancient times therefore had to be courageous and resourceful to protect the flock from wolves.—John 10:12, 13.
Most of the Scriptural references to the wolf are illustrative. In his deathbed prophecy, Jacob likened his son Benjamin to a wolf, this undoubtedly with reference to the tribe’s fighting abilities. (Gen. 49:27; see BENJAMIN No. 2.) The unscrupulous princes of Judah (Ezek. 22:27), false prophets (Matt. 7:15), vicious opposers of the Christian ministry (Matt. 10:16; Luke 10:3), as well as false teachers that would endanger the Christian congregation from within (Acts 20:29, 30), are compared to wolves. In contrast with the well-known despoilings by wolves (Jer. 5:6), the wolf and the lamb are depicted as being at peace during Messiah’s rule, feeding together as one, a prophetic picture that doubtless relates primarily to people.—Isa. 11:6; 65:25.
-
-
WomanAid to Bible Understanding
-
-
Woman
[Heb., ʼish·shahʹ (literally, female man), woman, wife; Gr., gy·neʹ, woman, wife].
The adult human female, one beyond the age of puberty.
CREATION
BEFORE THE MAN ADAM EVER ASKED FOR A HUMAN COMPANION, GOD HIS CREATOR MADE PROVISION. AFTER PLACING ADAM IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND GIVING HIM THE LAW RESPECTING THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND BAD, JEHOVAH SAID: “IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO CONTINUE BY HIMSELF. I AM GOING TO MAKE A HELPER FOR HIM, AS A COMPLEMENT OF HIM.” (GEN. 2:18) HE DID NOT OBLIGE THE MAN TO GO SEEKING A COMPANION AMONG THE ANIMALS, BUT HE BROUGHT THE ANIMALS TO ADAM FOR NAMING. ADAM WAS NOT INCLINED TOWARD BESTIALITY, AND WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS NO SUITABLE COMPANION AMONG THEM. (GEN. 2:19, 20) “HENCE JEHOVAH GOD HAD A DEEP SLEEP FALL UPON THE MAN AND, WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING, HE TOOK ONE OF HIS RIBS AND THEN CLOSED UP THE FLESH OVER ITS PLACE. AND JEHOVAH GOD PROCEEDED TO BUILD THE RIB THAT HE HAD TAKEN FROM THE MAN INTO A WOMAN AND TO BRING HER TO THE MAN. THEN THE MAN SAID: ‘THIS IS AT LAST BONE OF MY BONES AND FLESH OF MY FLESH. THIS ONE WILL BE CALLED WOMAN, BECAUSE FROM MAN THIS ONE WAS TAKEN.’”—GEN. 2:21-23.
POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The woman, being created out of the man, was dependent upon the man for being brought into existence. Being part of the man, “one flesh” with him, and a complement and helper to him, she was subject to him as her head. She was also under the law that God had given Adam about the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. She was responsible to work for the good of the man. Together they were to have children and to exercise dominion over the animals.—Gen. 1:28; 2:24.
Since the normal course for women in Bible times was to marry, the scriptures that treat of the woman’s responsibilities usually have reference to her position as a wife. The primary duty of all women in Israel was to serve Jehovah God in true worship. Abigail, who became the wife of David after her good-for-nothing husband Nabal had died, was an example of this. Even though Nabal took a bad course, refusing to use his material goods to help David, the anointed of Jehovah, Abigail realized that she, as Nabal’s wife, was not obligated to follow her husband in such action contrary to Jehovah’s will. Jehovah blessed her in her following of right worship by assisting His anointed one.—1 Sam. 25:23-31, 39-42.
Secondarily, the woman was to obey her husband. She was responsible to work hard for the good of the household and to bring honor to her husbandly head. This would bring the greatest glory to her. The wise man says: “The truly wise woman has built up her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” (Prov. 14:1) She should always speak well of her husband and increase the respect of others for him, and he should be able to take pride in her. “A capable wife is a crown to her owner, but as rottenness in his bones is she that acts shamefully.” (Prov. 12:4) The honorable position and the privileges she has as a wife, together with the blessings to her because of faithfulness, industriousness and wisdom, are described at Proverbs chapter 31.—See WIFE.
A Hebrew woman who was a mother had much to do with the training of her children in righteousness, respectfulness and industriousness, and often in counseling and influencing older sons for good. (Gen. 27:5-10; Ex. 2:7-10; Prov. 1:8; 31:1; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15) Girls, especially, were trained to be good wives by learning from their mothers the arts of cooking, weaving and general household management, while the father taught the son a trade. Wives also were free to express themselves to their husbands (Gen. 16:5, 6) and at times aided their husbands in arriving at right decisions.—Gen. 21:9-13; 27:46–28:4.
The bride was usually selected for a man by the parents. But, doubtless under the Law, as it was earlier in Rebekah’s case, the girl had an opportunity to voice her feelings and will in the matter. (Gen. 24:57, 58) Although polygamy was practiced, God not yet acting to restore the original state of monogamy until the Christian congregation was established
-