the teachings of Hebrew
Karina Bono
Wisdom literature in the Bible comprises the three books known as Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. The Mercer Dictionary of the Bible defines “wisdom literature” as “a distinctive intellectual tradition extended throughout the ancient Near East.”1 Wisdom literature in the bible includes the three books known as Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. “Ancient Israel’s sages preserved their teachings in two forms: meshalim and reflections. The former included both instructions (Prov 1-9), SIRACH) and shorter aphorisms (most of Proverbs).”2 Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart explain in their book How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth that “the book of Proverbs is the primary locus of ‘prudential wisdom’ –that is, memorable aphorisms (maxims) people can use to help themselves make responsible choices in life. In contrast to Ecclesiastes and Job, which use speculative wisdom as a way of wrestling with the great issues of life, proverbial wisdom concentrates mostly on practical attitudes and behavior in everyday life.”3 Again “Proverbs concentrates primarily on practical issues, rather than focusing on theological issues.”4 Furthermore, “the book of Proverbs continually presents a sharp contrast between the life of wisdom and the life of folly. However, this contrast has little to do with book knowledge or ‘street smarts’ but rather a person’s orientation to God.”5 In this essay, I will endeavor to describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom in Proverbs on diligence and laziness and how this corresponds with the contrast between wisdom and folly by showing how Proverbs points to diligence leading to wisdom and laziness is folly.
1James L. Crenshaw, “Wisdom Literature,” in Mercer Dictionary of the Bible, ed. Watson E. Mills (Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1997), 962. 2Ibid, 963.
3Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003), 231.
4Ed Hindson and Gary Yates, The Essence of the Old
Wisdom literature in the Bible comprises the three books known as Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. The Mercer Dictionary of the Bible defines “wisdom literature” as “a distinctive intellectual tradition extended throughout the ancient Near East.”1 Wisdom literature in the bible includes the three books known as Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. “Ancient Israel’s sages preserved their teachings in two forms: meshalim and reflections. The former included both instructions (Prov 1-9), SIRACH) and shorter aphorisms (most of Proverbs).”2 Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart explain in their book How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth that “the book of Proverbs is the primary locus of ‘prudential wisdom’ –that is, memorable aphorisms (maxims) people can use to help themselves make responsible choices in life. In contrast to Ecclesiastes and Job, which use speculative wisdom as a way of wrestling with the great issues of life, proverbial wisdom concentrates mostly on practical attitudes and behavior in everyday life.”3 Again “Proverbs concentrates primarily on practical issues, rather than focusing on theological issues.”4 Furthermore, “the book of Proverbs continually presents a sharp contrast between the life of wisdom and the life of folly. However, this contrast has little to do with book knowledge or ‘street smarts’ but rather a person’s orientation to God.”5 In this essay, I will endeavor to describe the teachings of Hebrew wisdom in Proverbs on diligence and laziness and how this corresponds with the contrast between wisdom and folly by showing how Proverbs points to diligence leading to wisdom and laziness is folly.
1James L. Crenshaw, “Wisdom Literature,” in Mercer Dictionary of the Bible, ed. Watson E. Mills (Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1997), 962. 2Ibid, 963.
3Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003), 231.
4Ed Hindson and Gary Yates, The Essence of the Old