Book of Proverbs: Difference between revisions
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{{Tanakh OT|Ketuvim |WP}} | {{Tanakh OT|Ketuvim |WP}} | ||
The '''Book of Proverbs''' ({{langx|he|מִשְלֵי | The '''Book of Proverbs''' ({{langx|he|rtl=yes|מִשְלֵי|translit=Mišlê}}; {{langx|el|Παροιμίαι|translit=Paroimiai}}; {{langx|la|Liber Proverbiorum|translation=Proverbs [of Solomon]}}) is the second book in the [[Ketuvim|third section]] of the [[Hebrew Bible]] and a book in the Christian [[Old Testament]]. It is traditionally ascribed to [[King Solomon]] and his students.{{sfn|Berlin|2011|p=588}} When translated into [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] and Latin, the title took on different forms: in the Greek [[Septuagint]] (LXX), it became {{lang|grc|Παροιμίαι}} ({{Transliteration|grc|Paroimiai}}, {{literal translation|Proverbs}}); in the Latin [[Vulgate]], the title was {{lang|la|Proverbia}}—from which the English name is derived. | ||
Proverbs is not merely an [[anthology]] but a "collection of collections" relating to a pattern of life that lasted for more than a millennium.{{sfn|Clements|2003|p=438}} It is an example of | Proverbs is not merely an [[anthology]] but a "collection of collections" relating to a pattern of life that lasted for more than a millennium.{{sfn|Clements|2003|p=438}} It is an example of biblical [[wisdom literature]] and raises questions about values, moral behavior, the meaning of human life, and right conduct,{{sfn|Alter|2010|pp=xiii–xvii}} and its [[Theology|theological]] foundation is that "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom."{{sfn|Longman|Garland|2009|p=50}} [[Wisdom (personification)|Wisdom]] is personified and praised for her role in creation; God created her before all else and gave order to chaos through her. As humans have life and prosperity by conforming to the order of creation, seeking wisdom is the essence and goal of life.{{sfn|Boccaccini|2002|p=106}} | ||
The book of Proverbs is divided into sections: the initial invitation to acquire wisdom, another section focused mainly on contrasting the wise and the fool, and the third being moral discourses on various topics. Chapters 25–29 discuss justice, the wicked, and the rich and poor; [[Proverbs 30|chapter 30]] introduces the "[[Agur|sayings of Agur]]" on creation and divine power.<ref name="A Bíblia sagrada">{{Citation | title = A Bíblia sagrada | chapter = Os provérbios | at = xxii:17 | quote = Breves discursos morais do sábio acerca de vários assuntos | edition = Versão revisada de acordo com os melhores textos em hebraico e grego | year = 1974 | publisher = Imprensa bíblica brasileira, Junta de educação religiosa, Convenção batista brasileira | location = Rio de Janeiro | editor-first = João Ferreira | editor-last = de Almeida}}.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{bibleverse||Proverbs|24:23|NKJV}}: [[New King James Version]]</ref> | The book of Proverbs is divided into sections: the initial invitation to acquire wisdom, another section focused mainly on contrasting the wise and the fool, and the third being moral discourses on various topics. Chapters 25–29 discuss justice, the wicked, and the rich and poor; [[Proverbs 30|chapter 30]] introduces the "[[Agur|sayings of Agur]]" on creation and divine power.<ref name="A Bíblia sagrada">{{Citation | title = A Bíblia sagrada | chapter = Os provérbios | at = xxii:17 | quote = Breves discursos morais do sábio acerca de vários assuntos | edition = Versão revisada de acordo com os melhores textos em hebraico e grego | year = 1974 | publisher = Imprensa bíblica brasileira, Junta de educação religiosa, Convenção batista brasileira | location = Rio de Janeiro | editor-first = João Ferreira | editor-last = de Almeida}}.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{bibleverse||Proverbs|24:23|NKJV}}: [[New King James Version]]</ref> | ||
Recent research on the book of Proverbs has taken two main approaches. Some scholars argue that different sections of the book originate from various periods, with chapters 1–9 and (30–)31 being the latest and final [[redaction]] dated to the late [[Persian period|Persian]] or Hellenistic | Recent research on the book of Proverbs has taken two main approaches. Some scholars argue that different sections of the book originate from various periods, with chapters 1–9 and (30–)31 being the latest and final [[Redaction (editorial synthesis)|redaction]] dated to the late [[Persian period|Persian]] or [[Hellenistic period]]s,<ref>{{cite book | ||
| last = Maier | | last = Maier | ||
| first = Christl | | first = Christl | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
| year = 2019 | | year = 2019 | ||
| pages = 4 | | pages = 4 | ||
| isbn = 978-1-5064-6381-0 | |||
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=g_msDwAAQBAJ | | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=g_msDwAAQBAJ | ||
| quote = "Turning to more recent research on the book of Proverbs, two main approaches have been taken. Some scholars have followed Gressmann in postulating that the different parts of the book go back to different periods and that Proverbs 1-9 and (30-)31 are the latest sections. Thus, chaps. 1-9 are situated in the Persian period, and the final redaction of the book is dated to the late Persian or Hellenistic period. Others begin with the received form of the book of Proverbs, inquiring first into the meaning of the book as a whole." | | quote = "Turning to more recent research on the book of Proverbs, two main approaches have been taken. Some scholars have followed Gressmann in postulating that the different parts of the book go back to different periods and that Proverbs 1-9 and (30-)31 are the latest sections. Thus, chaps. 1-9 are situated in the Persian period, and the final redaction of the book is dated to the late Persian or Hellenistic period. Others begin with the received form of the book of Proverbs, inquiring first into the meaning of the book as a whole." | ||
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* [[Proverbs 25-29|Proverbs 25–29]]: "These are Other Proverbs of Solomon that the Officials of King Hezekiah of Judah Copied" | * [[Proverbs 25-29|Proverbs 25–29]]: "These are Other Proverbs of Solomon that the Officials of King Hezekiah of Judah Copied" | ||
* [[Proverbs 30]]: "The Words of [[Agur]]" | * [[Proverbs 30]]: "The Words of [[Agur]]" | ||
* [[Proverbs 31]]:1–9: "The Words of King [[Lemuel (biblical king)|Lemuel]] of Massa,{{Efn|Most translate: | * [[Proverbs 31]]:1–9: "The Words of King [[Lemuel (biblical king)|Lemuel]] of Massa,{{Efn|Most translate: "Lemuel, an oracle (masa) which his mother . . ."<ref>See [https://biblehub.com/proverbs/31-1.htm Proverbs 31:1, various translations], Biblehub.com</ref>}} Which his Mother Taught Him" | ||
* Proverbs 31:10–31: the ideal wise woman (elsewhere called the "woman of substance").{{sfn|Perdue|2012|pp=x–xi}} | * Proverbs 31:10–31: the ideal wise woman (elsewhere called the "woman of substance").{{sfn|Perdue|2012|pp=x–xi}} | ||
== Contents == | == Contents == | ||
[[File:Papyrus Bodmer VI fol. 16.jpg|thumb|Papyrus Bodmer VI, featuring a [[Coptic language|Coptic]] translation of Proverbs (4th/5th century AD)]] | [[File:Papyrus Bodmer VI fol. 16.jpg|thumb|Papyrus Bodmer VI, featuring a [[Coptic language|Coptic]] translation of Proverbs (4th/5th century AD)]] | ||
"Proverb" is a translation of the Hebrew word | "Proverb" is a translation of the Hebrew word {{tlit|he|mashal}} ({{lang|he|rtl=yes|מָשָׁל}}), but {{tlit|he|mashal}} has a wider range of meanings than the short, catchy saying implied by the English word. Thus, roughly half the book is made up of "sayings" of this type, while the other half consists of longer poetic units of various types. These include "instructions" formulated as advice from a teacher or parent addressed to a student or child, dramatic [[personification]]s of both Wisdom and Folly, and the "words of the wise" sayings, which are longer than the Solomonic "sayings" but shorter and more diverse than the "instructions."{{sfn|Farmer|1991|pp= 17–20}} | ||
The first section ([[Proverbs 1–9|chapters 1–9]]) comprises an initial invitation to young men to take up the course of wisdom, ten "instructions", and five poems on personified Woman Wisdom.{{sfn|Perdue|2007|p=48}} Verses 1:1–7 constitute an introduction to the whole of this section.<ref>Aitken, K. T., ''19. Proverbs'' in Barton, J., and Muddiman, J. (2001), [https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43 The Oxford Bible Commentary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122193211/http://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43 |date=2017-11-22 }}, p. 406</ref> Proverbs 10:1–22:16, with 375 sayings, consists of two parts, the first part (10–14) contrasting the wise man and the fool (or the righteous and the wicked), the second (15–22:16) addressing wise and foolish speech.{{sfn |Perdue|2007|p=58}} Verse 22:17 opens ‘the words of the wise’, until verse 24:22, with short moral discourses on various subjects.<ref name="A Bíblia sagrada"/> An additional section of sayings which "also belong to the wise" follows in verses 24:23–34.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Chapters 25–29, attributed to the editorial activity of "the men of [[Hezekiah]]", contrast the just and the wicked and broach the topic of rich and poor.{{sfn|Perdue|2007|p=67}} Chapter 30:1–4, the "sayings of Agur", introduces creation, divine power, and human ignorance.{{sfn|Perdue|2007|p=68}} Chapter 31, "the sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him", describes a virtuous woman, a wife of noble character. | The first section ([[Proverbs 1–9|chapters 1–9]]) comprises an initial invitation to young men to take up the course of wisdom, ten "instructions", and five poems on personified Woman Wisdom.{{sfn|Perdue|2007|p=48}} Verses 1:1–7 constitute an introduction to the whole of this section.<ref>Aitken, K. T., ''19. Proverbs'' in Barton, J., and Muddiman, J. (2001), [https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43 The Oxford Bible Commentary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122193211/http://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43 |date=2017-11-22 }}, p. 406</ref> Proverbs 10:1–22:16, with 375 sayings, consists of two parts, the first part (10–14) contrasting the wise man and the fool (or the righteous and the wicked), the second (15–22:16) addressing wise and foolish speech.{{sfn |Perdue|2007|p=58}} Verse 22:17 opens ‘the words of the wise’, until verse 24:22, with short moral discourses on various subjects.<ref name="A Bíblia sagrada"/> An additional section of sayings which "also belong to the wise" follows in verses 24:23–34.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Chapters 25–29, attributed to the editorial activity of "the men of [[Hezekiah]]", contrast the just and the wicked and broach the topic of rich and poor.{{sfn|Perdue|2007|p=67}} Chapter 30:1–4, the "sayings of Agur", introduces creation, divine power, and human ignorance.{{sfn|Perdue|2007|p=68}} Chapter 31, "the sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him", describes a virtuous woman, a wife of noble character. | ||
==Composition== | ==Composition== | ||
[[File: | [[File:King Solomon (89400707).jpg|thumb|Solomon writing Proverbs ([[Gustave Doré]])]] | ||
It is impossible to offer precise dates for the sayings in Proverbs, a "collection of collections" relating to a pattern of life that lasted for more than a millennium.{{sfn|Clements|2003 |p= 438}} The title is traditionally derived from chapter 1:1, ' | It is impossible to offer precise dates for the sayings in Proverbs, a "collection of collections" relating to a pattern of life that lasted for more than a millennium.{{sfn|Clements|2003 |p= 438}} The title is traditionally derived from chapter 1:1, {{tlit|hbo|Mishlei Sh'lomo}} ({{langx|hbo|rtl=yes|translit=Mišlê Šĕlōmōh|translation=Proverbs [of] Solomon|מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה}}).<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|1:1|HE}}</ref> This phrase is repeated in 10:1 and 25:1,<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|10:1, 25:1|HE|multi=yes}}</ref> indicating a focus on categorizing the content rather than attributing authorship.{{sfn|Farmer|1991|p=25}} | ||
The book is an anthology made up of six discrete units. The ''Proverbs of Solomon'' section, chapters 1–9, was probably the last to be composed in the Persian or Hellenistic periods. This section has parallels to prior cuneiform writings.<ref>{{cite book |last= Rogers |first= Robert William |date= 1912 |title= Cuneiform parallels to the Old Testament |edition= 1 | chapter = 8. Fragment of Wisdom Literature | publisher= Eaton & Mains| place = New York | chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/cunciformparalle00roge |access-date= March 13, 2016}}</ref> The second, chapters 10–22:16, carries the superscription "the proverbs of Solomon", which may have encouraged its [[Development of the Hebrew Bible canon|inclusion]] in the Hebrew canon. The third unit, 22:17–24:22, is headed "bend your ear and hear the words of the wise". A large part of this section is a recasting of a second-millennium BCE Egyptian work | The book is an anthology made up of six discrete units. The ''Proverbs of Solomon'' section, chapters 1–9,<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|1–9|HE}}</ref> was probably the last to be composed in the Persian or Hellenistic periods. This section has parallels to prior cuneiform writings.<ref>{{cite book |last= Rogers |first= Robert William |date= 1912 |title= Cuneiform parallels to the Old Testament |edition= 1 | chapter = 8. Fragment of Wisdom Literature | publisher= Eaton & Mains| place = New York | chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/cunciformparalle00roge |access-date= March 13, 2016}}</ref> The second, chapters 10–22:16,<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|10–22:16|HE}}</ref> carries the superscription "the proverbs of Solomon", which may have encouraged its [[Development of the Hebrew Bible canon|inclusion]] in the Hebrew canon. The third unit, 22:17–24:22,<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|22:17–24:22|HE}}</ref> is headed "bend your ear and hear the words of the wise". A large part of this section is a recasting of a second-millennium BCE Egyptian work entitled the ''[[Instruction of Amenemope]]'',<ref name="loe">''The Legacy of Egypt'', [[Stephen Glanville|S. R. K. Glanville]], contributor W. O. E Oesterley, p. 246–248, Oxford, 1942</ref> and may have reached the Hebrew author(s) through an Aramaic translation.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} [[Proverbs 24|Chapter 24]]:23 begins a new section and source with the declaration, "These too are from the wise".<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|24:23|HE}}</ref> The next section, at [[Proverbs 25|chapter 25]]:1,<ref>{{bibleverse|Proverbs|25:1|HE}}</ref> has a superscription that the following proverbs were transcribed "by the men of [[Hezekiah]]", indicating at face value that they were collected in the reign of Hezekiah in the late 8th century BCE. [[Proverbs 30|Chapters 30]] and [[Proverbs 31|31]] (the "words of Agur," the "words of [[Lemuel (biblical king)|Lemuel]]," and the description of the "ideal" woman and wife) are a set of appendices, quite different in style and emphasis from the previous chapters.{{sfn |Alter|2010|pp= 183–85}} | ||
The [[ | The genre of [[wisdom literature]] was widespread throughout the [[ancient Near East]], and reading Proverbs alongside the examples recovered from Egypt and Mesopotamia reveals the common ground shared by international wisdom.{{sfn |Smothers|2000|pp= 167–68, 174}} The wisdom literature of [[Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy)|Israel]] may have been developed in the family, the royal court, and houses of learning and instruction;{{sfn|Tucker|2000 |pp= 163–66}} nevertheless, the overwhelming impression is of instruction within the family in small villages.{{sfn |Crenshaw |2000 |p= 217}} | ||
== Themes == | == Themes == | ||