R. N. Whybray

The Book of Proverbs: a Survey of Modern Study (History of Biblical Interpretation Series) R. N. Whybray

This volume surveys Proverbs studies from 1870 to 1995. It describes theories of origins and background (affinities with international wisdom, supposed rootage in court, school and tribal wisdom), literary and structural aspects such as the nature of Hebrew poetry and the composition of the proverb collections, the special problems of chapters 1-9, 22:16-24:34 and 30-31, theological ideas (especially relationships with Egyptian wisdom texts and with characteristic Old Testament teaching), date, text and versions. This work is intended to be of interest to teachers and students of Proverbs, but is especially directed to serve the needs of those preparing or directing doctoral dissertations. The bibliography lists 350 books and articles, all of which are discussed in the text and notes.