In 1 Kings 5:12 (Hebrew verse numbering — 1 Kings 5:12; English Bibles typically list this as 1 Kings 4:32), it says:
This seems to suggest that King Solomon authored a vast corpus of wisdom literature beyond what’s preserved in the Tanakh. Yet only three books are traditionally attributed to him: Mishlei (Proverbs), Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), and Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs).
My question is: How did the rabbis understand this verse? Did they believe Solomon authored many more works that were lost? Or did they interpret this as referring to layers within the existing books? I know Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:1 discusses this — particularly Rabbi Elazar bar Avina’s statement, and then attempts to reconcile the number.
Would it be wrong to say Judaism believes Solomon authored more than what is in the Hebrew Bible written?
submitted by /u/Party-Ad-805
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Source: Reditt
