An Introduction to Wisdom and Poetry of the Old Testament

by Berry, Donald K.

• ISBN13: 9780805419993
• ISBN10: 0805419993
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: B&H Academic

Summary

Written for pastors with a relatively elementary knowledge of the Old Testament. Includes accounts of how this portion of the Bible has been interpreted throughout history. Easily incorporated into individual sermons.

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations	xiii
List of Tables	xv
PART ONE: WISDOM
Introduction: A Preliminary Definition of Wisdom	1	(10)
The Beginning Point
A Canonical Approach
General Characteristics of Wisdom
A Working Definition of Wisdom
Wisdom as Training for Leaders
Wisdom as a Corrective to Torah
Wisdom as Training for Children
Summary: Multiple Perspectives
Overview of Wisdom	11	(18)
Wisdom Features in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes
Wisdom Outside the Wisdom Canon
Wisdom Themes and Vocabulary
The Sociological Setting of Wisdom
Summary: Identification of Wisdom Materials
Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom Documents	29	(14)
Introduction: The International Character of Wisdom Documents
Egyptian Documents
Canaanite Documents
Greek Documents
The Special Character of Hebrew Wisdom
Summary: The Pervasiveness of Wisdom in Israelite Society
History of Interpretation Before the Reformation	43	(34)
Introduction: The Later Wisdom Tradition in Israel
Wisdom in the Deuterocanon and Pseudepigrapha
Early Jewish Interpretations
Wisdom in the New Testament
Wisdom in Patristic Literature
Wisdom in Medieval Literature
Summary: General Trends
History of Interpretation Since the Reformation	77	(20)
Introduction: The Reformation and Freedom of Interpretation
Interpretation During the Reformation Period
Interpretation after the Reformers
Historical-Critical Interpretation
Suggestions Regarding the Origins of Hebrew Wisdom
Road to Definition
Latest Trends in Interpretation
Summary: A Future of Specialization
Wisdom Books Outside the Wisdom Canon	97	(20)
Introduction: The Search for Wisdom Outside the Wisdom Canon
Wisdom in the Torah
Wisdom in the Former Prophets
Wisdom in the Latter Prophets
Wisdom in the Writings
Deuterocanonical Works
Summary: The Encompassing Nature of Wisdom
Wisdom in Proverbs	117	(24)
Introduction to Proverbs
Major Themes in Proverbs
Themes in Proverbs 1-9
Themes in Proverbs 10-31
Summary: Proverbs as a Wisdom Anthology
Wisdom in Job	141	(16)
Introduction to Job
The Structure and Meaning of Job
Summary: The Literary Structure of Job
Wisdom in Ecclesiastes	157	(28)
Introduction to Ecclesiastes
Qoheleth's Purpose and Philosophy
Qoheleth's Findings
Qoheleth's Special View of Wisdom
Summary: Qoheleth's Contribution to the Wisdom Canon
Conclusion: A Canonical Definition of Wisdom
PART TWO: POETRY
Introduction to Poetry	173	(12)
Distinctions Between Hebrew and Western Poetry
Distinguishing Hebrew Poetry from Prose
Use of Poetry in Ancient Israelite Society
Overview of Poetry	185	(36)
The Poetry of Psalms
The Poetry of Lamentations
The Poetry of the Song of Songs
Poetry in Nonpoetic Books
The Poetry of Deuterocanonical Wisdom
The Nature of Hebrew Poetry
Poetry in Israel's Life and Worship
Types of Hebrew Poetry
Israel's Employment of Poetry
Summary: Poetry at the Extremes of Life
Ancient Near Eastern Poetic Documents	221	(12)
Poetry in Egypt
Poetry in Canaan
Poetry in Mesopotamia
Summary: Israel's Loose Dependence on Other Poetry
History of Interpretation Before The Reformation	233	(30)
The Later Poetic Traditions in Israel
Early Jewish Interpretation
Poetry in Patristic Literature
Poetry in Medieval Literature
Summary: Scripture First, Poetry Second
Questions for Discussion
History of Interpretation Since the Reformation	263	(36)
Precursors to the Reformation
The Reformers
Post-Reformation Interpretation
Historical-Critical Interpretation
Latest Trends in Interpretation
Distinctives of Hebrew Poetry
Summary: The Shape of the Canonical Text
Poetry Outside the Poetic Canon	299	(58)
Poetry in the Torah
Poetry in the Former Prophets
Poetry in the Latter Prophets: Major Prophets
Poetry in the Latter Prophets: Minor Prophets
Poetry in the Wisdom Books
Poetry in Other Books of the Writings
Poetry in the Deuterocanon
Summary: Poetry Outside the Poetic Canon
Poetry in the Psalms	357	(26)
Introduction to Psalms
Form Criticism and the Psalms
Characteristics of Individual Psalms
The Canonical Context of the Psalms
Summary: The Role of the Psalms in the Community
Poetry in the Song of Songs	383	(28)
Introduction to the Song of Songs
The Structure of the Drama
The Song as Poetry and Wisdom
Metathemes
Summary: The Canonical Context of the Song of Songs
The Poetry of Lamentations	411	(12)
Introduction to Lamentations
The Structure of Lamentations
Summary: Differences and Similarities with the Psalms
Conclusion: A Canonical Portrait of Poetry
Glossary of Terms	423	(8)
Bibliography---Wisdom	431	(2)
Bibliography---Poetry	433	(3)
Bibliography---History of Interpretation	436	(4)
Bibliography---Ancient Near Eastern Literature	440	(1)
Name Index	441	(2)
Subject Index	443	(12)
Scripture Index	455