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Background to the Book of Proverbs This book is part of what is referred to as the Wisdom literature. This includes besides the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Job. The emphasis in wisdom literature is, 'the lessons and insights of experience on the basis of human conduct' (Murphy: 1981). Certainly, the emphasis is on human endeavour and how one ought to live life. In order to sustain right behaviour the book of Proverbs is the guide, which will secure a life of well being, decency, and dignity (Fox: 3). The universal nature of wisdom contrasts with the Israelite election traditions (God chose them for his own) encompassing exodus, giving of the Law, entry into land, all of which are the basis for prophetic and legal traditions (Perdue: vii). Relationship to God takes a minor place in the wisdom literature. However, God is portrayed as the genesis of Wisdom, which people can possess when taught. Wisdom properly begins from the stance of awe (Hebrew uses 'fear') in God, which after instruction by the sages provides the means of 'a life of success - materially, physically, socially, and morally' (Fox: 6). The sayings for this instruction are drawn from a number of social and religious situations: the folklore of ordinary people, court circles, schools, cult and government are places in which it was generated. The question of whether there was a school of sages or wise men is a mute point, but certainly the wise are mentioned as if they are a significant group in Israel. The sayings and instruction was significant enough to be gathered into collections as time went on. Israel was not alone in having this particular genre. Many of the Proverbs (e.g.. 22:17-24:22) are very similar to the Egyptian 'The Instruction of Amenemope'. Scholars have considered whether one source is dependent on the other without arriving at a consensus (it was accepted for many years that Proverbs was dependent on the Egyptian Instruction). Wisdom is part of the culture of many countries in the ancient near east: Egypt, Phoenicia, Syria, Mesopotamia. The book of Proverbs consists of sayings, which have been gathered into collections under various headings (8 named by Perdue: ix-xi). When this occurred is difficult to ascertain, however it is clear that proverbs had a long prehistory of oral tradition before their collection into blocks of material and then finally into the canon. This occurred in 3rd century BCE when the third part of the Hebrew Scriptures was gathered under the heading of the Writings. After the final revolt against the Romans and the fall of Jerusalem the Council of Jamnia (70 CE) met to deal with this crisis and closed the canon. In the Book of Proverbs Wisdom woman is portrayed as a creation of Yahweh before the rest of the world was created. She was present when God made the heavens and the earth (Proverbs 8:22-31). It is also the case in the Book of Wisdom that the divine Word is portrayed as a personal independent being who carries out the divine will (Van Leeuwen:97). |
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Context of Proverbs 8 Proverbs 8 comes near the end of the first section Proverbs 1-9 which has the literary function along with Proverbs 30-31 of providing an interpretative frame for chapters 10-29 (Clifford:24). Proverbs 1-7 gives instruction to a son as from a father to guide him through the pitfalls of life. To walk in the ways of wisdom will lead to to the house of wisdom (9:1), but always this wisdom begins with the fear and knowledge of the Lord. In 1:20-33, 8:1-36 and 9:1-6 wisdom is personified as a female person who speaks in the first person. Young men are warned of the dangers of loose morals and falling into bad company. This can be avoided if they pay attention to the teaching of wisdom (Proverbs 2) and then by trusting in the Lord(Proverbs 3). Interesting the order in which this comes in the Book. Chapters 5 and six warn against relationships with loose women, extending surety for a neighbour, laziness, habitual mischievousness, and adulterous relationships. Proverbs 7 continues the teaching about succumbing to the wiles of an adulterer. After Wisdom has made her speech in Proverbs 8, there are two invitations to an inaugural banquet in Proverbs 9, one by the wise woman, and the other by the foolish woman. The wisdom sayings which follow in Proverbs 10ff tend to a collection of individual sayings without the coherence of Proverbs 1-9. |
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Insights/Message of Proverbs 8 Literary The lectionary verses come from a poem of cosmic wisdom: vv.1-5 is the introduction and vv.22-31, wisdom and the creation of the universe. The verses in between the lectionary selection speak of Wisdom's righteous words, her role in civil order and her gifts for all those who love her. The chapter finishes with a final invitation and warning. In Proverbs 7:6, Wisdom observes the way of the world from her window and now steps down into the public arena (McKane:342). She takes her place beside the city gates which is location for all the encounters involving people's life: the transaction of business, legal issues, public orations, settlements of disputes, and handing down of justice. She makes her announcement to all but it is specifically directed to men. The claim made by Wisdom in vv.22-26 that she was there before all created things is quite extraordinary and 'vv.27-31 establish her active presence in God's work of creation' (Van Leeuwen:92). The Hebrew word 'qana' have several meanings beside create - to bring forth as in birth, to acquire, to possess. It is interesting to wonder why the usual word for God's act of creating 'bara' is not used here. Another very primitive word is used in v.24, 'hul' which is translated as bringing forth. This may indicate that this proclamation of wisdom's claim comes from a very early period in the life of Israel. The discussion about the interpretation of the above verbs raises the question of whether Wisdom is another person along side God, rather than 'a poetic personification of God's attribute of wisdom' (Van Leeuwen:96). Verses 22-31 appear not just to implement vv.12-21, but indeed give them further authority by demonstrating the cosmic identity of Wisdom with Yahweh. She was the beginning of God's works, therefore can claim the authority to be heard. Message Verses 22-26 make the claim that wisdom was brought forth before the earth was created. The same message is repeated in different ways in five verses. We cannot mistake the claim made by Wisdom - she was present at the very start of God's creation of the world before the remainder of the universe. Wisdom is separate from God but intimately connected. This makes it imperative than the young men she is addressing take her words seriously. She is not one of the wanton who tries to entice them to immoral acts, but is equal with God who is the source of all wisdom. Not only was she present with God at the beginning of creation but she was present as the rest of creation was brought into being. This is described in the next six verses. |
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Resources/Worship for Proverbs 8 Resources: Commentaries The Old Testament Guides (OTG) by Sheffield Academic Press are an excellent small resource which give many suggestions for readings on particular aspects in the book. The New Interpreter's Bible is another very helpful resource and published in the late 1990's - 2002 is more up to date than some earlier works. Fox, Michael V. Proverbs 1-9: a new Translation with Introduction and
Commentary. The Dramatised Bible: ed. Michael Perry. London: Marshall Pickering: Bible Society, 1989 Web sites with helpful lectionary resources: These links were updated 23/11/06
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