Marcelo de Ancira and the Wisdom of Pr 8. Theology and Hermeneutics

Abstract

During the so-called "Arian crisis" of the fourth century, the interpretation of Pr 8,22 was able to reveal the theological orientation of the various actors. The verse had a particular difficulty because, in it, wisdom declares: "The Lord created me (KÚpioi; sktigsv ps)" and, according to the dominant tradition, this wisdom is the Son of God. This article aims to reconstruct the interpretation that Marcelo de Ancira gave to the discussed verse and explore its hermeneutical principles. To assess its scope and origi- nality, before presenting the interpretation of the Bishop of Ancira, a tour of the interpretation of Pr 8, 22 in the previous Christian tradition is offered.