Talk:Tom Bombadil

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Clearly inspired by Sophia (Wisdom) in the Book of Proverbs.

The text from Proverbs 8, where Sophia (the personification of Wisdom) describes herself, reads:

"I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men "

Whilst Tom, in his own words, is:

"Eldest, that’s what I am. Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the little People arriving. He was here before the Kings and the graves and the Barrow-wights. When the Elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from Outside.’"

Furthermore, Tom's wife is called Goldberry, whilst Sophia says of the gift she offers (wisdom and prudence) that "My fruit is better than gold".

The parallels are so striking that this really should be covered in the main body of the article. LeapUK (talk) 08:25, 26 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Many thanks for the thoughts. However, we can't make the connection ourselves under the WP:OR rules. If you can find a reliable source such as a book of Tolkien scholarship that makes the connection explicitly then of course we can include the mention. Chiswick Chap (talk) 09:21, 26 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]