ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | FEBRUARY 2026

Author Fr . Bitaju

In the Book of Wisdom, ‘wisdom’ is referred to as ‘she’. Jesus is the Wisdom of God. Shouldn’t ‘wisdom’ be known as ‘he’, since wisdom is Christ?

Your question of how to refer to ‘wisdom’, particularly in the context of the Book of Wisdom and its relationship to Christ, involves a nuanced understanding of biblical language, theological concepts, and the nature of personification in Scripture.

1. Personification of Wisdom: In the Book of Wisdom, as well as in other wisdom literature such as Proverbs, ‘wisdom’ is often personified as a female figure. This personification serves to convey the qualities of ‘wisdom’, such as insight, understanding, and guidance, in a relatable manner. The use of ‘she’ in this context highlights the nurturing and life-giving aspects traditionally associated with femininity. 

   
   

2. Christ as the Wisdom of God: In Christian theology, particularly as articulated in the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the Wisdom of God. For instance, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:24, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. This identification of Christ with wisdom does not negate the personification of wisdom as female in the Old Testament; rather, it expands the understanding of wisdom to include the fullness of divine revelation in Christ. 

   
   

3. Gender and Divine Attributes: It is important to recognise that God transcends human concepts of gender. While Scripture uses masculine pronouns for God and Christ, it also employs feminine imagery to describe various attributes of God, including wisdom. The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that ‘God is neither man nor woman: He is God’ (CCC 370). Thus, the gendered language used in Scripture reflects cultural and linguistic conventions rather than definitive statements about God’s nature. 

   
   

4. Theological Interpretation: The Church understands that the personification of wisdom in the Old Testament serves a specific purpose within the context of salvation history. Wisdom, as a divine attribute, is fully realised in Christ, who embodies all that wisdom represents. The Church Fathers and theologians have often reflected on this connection, emphasising that Christ fulfils the role of wisdom in a way that transcends the original personification. 

   
   

5. Liturgical and Devotional Language: In liturgical and devotional contexts, the language used to refer to wisdom may vary. While some may choose to use ‘she’ when discussing the personification of wisdom in the Old Testament, others may prefer to refer to wisdom in the context of Christ as ‘he,’ reflecting the understanding of Christ as the incarnate Wisdom of God. Both usages can coexist, depending on the focus of the discussion, whether it is on the literary and theological aspects of wisdom in the Old Testament or on the Christological fulfilment of that wisdom. 

   
   

In conclusion, while Wisdom is personified as ‘she’ in the Book of Wisdom and other wisdom literature, the identification of Christ as the Wisdom of God allows for both interpretations to coexist. The gendered language used in Scripture serves to convey deeper truths about divine attributes and the nature of God. The Church embraces this complexity, recognising that Christ, as the fullness of divine wisdom, transcends human categorisations of gender.