The "assumption" of the righteous dead in the Wisdom of Solomon and the Sayings Gospel Q

Abstract

The Wisdom of Solomon applies language from the Genesis reference to Enoch's assumption (Gen. 5:24 LXX) to the dead "righteous one" (Wis. 4:7-17). This unusual use of the motif of assumption, normally thought of as an escape from death, is facilitated by topoi drawn from Hellenistic consolation materials; however, the typical corollary of assumption in the Jewish tradition—heavenly or eschatological exaltation—is also applied to the righteous one in Wis. 5:1-5. This innovation is particularly instructive for Q, which may understand Jesus' post-mortem vindication and exaltation in terms of assumption (Q 13:35).