Proverbs

by Clifford, Richard J.

• ISBN13: 9780664221317
• ISBN10: 0664221319
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Pr

Summary

This critically acclaimed series provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The authors are scholars of international standing.

Clifford unveils the fascinating aspects of Proverbs: its wit and irony, honesty and profundity, drama and conflict -- and its ultimate concern with wisdom as a fundamental option in life.

Author Biography

Richard J. Clifford is Professor of Old Testament at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Abbreviations	ix
Select Bibliography	xiii
Introduction	1	(2)
Date of Composition and Editing	3	(3)
Historical Context	6	(2)
The Wisdom Literature That Proverbs Inherited	8	(11)
Distinctive Ideas	19	(4)
The Background and Function of Personified Wisdom and Her Rival	23	(5)
The Hebrew Text and Versions of Proverbs	28	(2)
The Influence of Proverbs on Later Literature	30	(2)
The Meaning of Proverbs Today	32	(247)
COMMENTARY
Introduction to the Book	33	(3)
Lecture I: The Deadly Alternative to Parental Wisdom	36	(4)
Wisdom Poem I: The Risk of Spurning Me	40	(4)
Lecture II: Seek Wisdom and Yahweh Will Keep You Safe	44	(5)
Lecture III: Trust in God Leads to Prosperity	49	(4)
Interlude: Wisdom's Benefits and Prestige	53	(3)
Lecture IV: Justice toward the Neighbor Brings Blessing	56	(3)
Lecture V: A Father's Example	59	(3)
Lecture VI: Two Ways of Living Life	62	(2)
Lecture VII: With Your Whole Being Heed My Words and Live	64	(2)
Lecture VIII: The Wrong and the Right Woman	66	(7)
Interlude: Four Short Pieces	73	(4)
Lecture IX: The Dangers of Adultery	77	(5)
Lecture X: The Deceptive Woman	82	(8)
Wisdom Poem II: Become My Disciple and I Will Bless You	90	(8)
Excursus I: The Interpretation of Prov. 8:22 in Early Judaism and Christianity	98	(3)
Excursus II: The Translation of amon in v. 30 Wisdom Poem III: The Two Women Invite Passersby to Their Banquets	101	(8)
The Proverbs of Solomon	109	(90)
The Words of the Wise	199	(17)
Further Words of the Wise	216	(3)
Further Proverbs of Solomon, Collected by the Servants of King Hezekiah	219	(37)
The Words of Agur, and Four Sorts of Scoundrels	256	(9)
Numerical Sayings	265	(3)
The Words to Lemuel, King of Massa	268	(3)
Hymn to the Capable Wife	271	(8)
Index of Ancient Sources	279