Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Botanical Context:Sage, known scientifically as
Salvia, is a genus of plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. While the specific plant commonly referred to as "sage" today,Salvia officinalis, is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of sage as a wise person is deeply rooted in biblical literature. The plant itself is valued for its culinary, medicinal, and aromatic properties, and it is possible that similar herbs were used in ancient times for various purposes.
Wisdom and the Sage in Scripture:
In the biblical context, a "sage" is often synonymous with a wise person, someone who possesses and imparts wisdom. The Bible places a high value on wisdom, often personifying it and associating it with the fear of the Lord.Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse underscores the biblical view that true wisdom begins with reverence for God.
Old Testament References:
The Old Testament frequently highlights the role of wise individuals, or sages, in Israelite society. These individuals were often sought for counsel and guidance. For example, King Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, which he received from God. In1 Kings 4:29-34 , it is written, "And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt."
The Book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon, is a collection of sayings and teachings that reflect the wisdom of the sages.Proverbs 13:20 advises, "He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."
New Testament Insights:
In the New Testament, wisdom continues to be a significant theme. Jesus Christ is depicted as the ultimate source of wisdom. InMatthew 12:42 , Jesus refers to Himself in relation to Solomon, saying, "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now one greater than Solomon is here."
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of wisdom in the life of believers. InColossians 3:16 , he writes, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Symbolism and Application:
Sage, as a symbol of wisdom, can be seen as a metaphor for the pursuit of godly wisdom. Just as the plant is used for its healing and aromatic properties, so too is wisdom seen as beneficial and life-giving.James 1:5 encourages believers to seek wisdom from God: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
In summary, while the specific plant known as sage is not mentioned in the Bible, the concept of wisdom and the role of the sage are integral to biblical teaching. Wisdom is portrayed as a divine gift, essential for living a life that honors God and benefits others.Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A suffruticose labiate plant (Salvia officinalis) with grayish green foliage, much used in flavoring meats, etc. The name is often extended to the whole genus, of which many species are cultivated for ornament, as the scarlet sage, and Mexican red and blue sage.2. (n.) The sagebrush.
3. (superl.) Having nice discernment and powers of judging; prudent; grave; sagacious.
4. (superl.) Proceeding from wisdom; well judged; shrewd; well adapted to the purpose.
5. (superl.) Grave; serious; solemn.
6. (n.) A wise man; a man of gravity and wisdom; especially, a man venerable for years, and of sound judgment and prudence; a grave philosopher.
Strong's Hebrew
2450. chakam -- wise... Word Origin from chakam Definition wise NASB Word Usage expert (1), men who are
skillful (1),
sage (1), shrewd (2), skilled (2), skilled men (3), skilled men
...Library
The Writings of Israel's Philosophers
... This prose story has apparently been utilized and given a very different interpretation
by a later poet-sage in whose ears rang Jeremiah's words of anguish...
Jean Jacques Rousseau.
... quel empire sur ses passions! O?? est l'homme, o?? est lesage qui sait agir,
souffrir et mourir sans foiblesse et sans ostentation?...
Fourth Tractate. Our Tutelary Spirit.
... Man. 6. What, then, is the achievedSage? One whose... its own. On instinct
which theSage finally rectifies in every respect? Not...
Fourth Tractate. On True Happiness.
... life. Once the man is aSage, the means of happiness, the way to good, are
within, for nothing is good that lies outside him. Anything...
The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
... The wise man orsage is a characteristic Oriental figure.... Their common aim is well
expressed by thesage who appended to Proverbs the preface:...
The Stage as it was Once.
... And what noble figures on those front seats; Pericles, with Aspasia beside him,
and all his friends"Anaxagoras thesage, Phidias the sculptor, and many...
Discipline
... These were the words of the Easternsage, as he looked down from the mountain height
upon the camp of Israel, abiding among the groves of the lowland...
Grundtvig's Later Years
... The lonely Defender of the Bible became a respectedsage and the acknowledged leader
of a fast growing religious and folk movement, both in Denmark and the...
The Burial of Moses
... Amid the noblest of the land We lay thesage to rest, And give the bard an honored
place With costly marble drest, In the great minster transept, Where lights...
'A Greater than Solomon'
... He had a rich variety of gifts: he was statesman, merchant,sage, physicist,
builder, one of the many-sided men whom the old world produced....
Thesaurus
Sage (1 Occurrence)... The name is often extended to the whole genus, of which many species are cultivated
for ornament, as the scarlet
sage, and Mexican red and blue
sage.
...Sagacious (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Hence, of quick intellectual perceptions; of keen penetration and judgment;
discerning and judicious; knowing; far-sighted; shrewd;sage; wise; as, a...
Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... They are apotheoses of the Epicureansage, entirely withdrawn from the world's turmoil,
enjoying a life of calm repose, and satisfied with the bounty that...
Job (60 Occurrences)
... tempest; and to give to the patriarch or sheikh a function of counsel and succor
in the community analogous to that of the later wise man orsage (compare Job...
Wizard (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A wise man; asage. 2. (n.) One devoted to
the black art; a magician; a conjurer; a sorcerer; an enchanter....
Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... The noun indicates a wise person orsage whose mission is to instruct others in
the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 16:23; Proverbs 21:11; and often in the Wisdom...
Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... He is represented as a venerable and benignantsage from Teman in Idumaea, a place
noted for its wisdom (compare Jeremiah 49:7), as was also the whole land of...
Perfumer (4 Occurrences)
... smell. During a considerable portion of the year the country air is laden
with the odor of aromatic herbs, such as mint andsage....
Perfume (202 Occurrences)
... smell. During a considerable portion of the year the country air is laden
with the odor of aromatic herbs, such as mint andsage....
Shagee (1 Occurrence)
... sha'-ge (shaghe'; Codex Vaticanus Sola; Codex AlexandrinusSage; the King James
Version Shage): The father of Jonathan, one of David's heroes (1 Chronicles 11...
Resources
What does the Bible say about smudging? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Stoicism? What did the Greek Stoics teach? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Lemuel in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.orgSage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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