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Interpreting the Book of Proverbs A) Recap: Orientation and Guidelines

Interpreting the Book of Proverbs A) Recap: Orientation and Guidelines B) Structure of the Book: A “Collection” of the “Collections” of Wisdom Sayings 1) Purpose (1:1-6) 2) Motto (1:7) 3) Long Instructions/Admonitions (1:8-9:18) 4) Short Proverbial Sayings (10: 1-29:27)

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Interpreting the Book of Proverbs A) Recap: Orientation and Guidelines

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  1. Interpreting the Book of Proverbs A) Recap: Orientation and Guidelines B) Structure of the Book: A “Collection” of the “Collections” of Wisdom Sayings 1) Purpose (1:1-6) 2) Motto (1:7) 3) Long Instructions/Admonitions (1:8-9:18) 4) Short Proverbial Sayings (10: 1-29:27) 5) Two longer Collections (30: 1-31:9) 6) Conclusion/Epilogue (31: 10-31)

  2. Initial Purpose of the Book: A) Initially designed for use for young men of Israel’s society being groomed for positions of leadership (Hubbard). B) The real intent is to train a person (male and female; young and old), to shape character, to show what life is and how best to cope with it (Murphy).

  3. Purpose (1: 1-7) a) First Audience: simple, young, “the wise” & “the discerning” (v. 5) b) Goal: attaining-- wisdom, discipline, under- standing words of insight, acquiring– disciplined and prudent life, skill and wisdom to discern (prudence simple; knowledge & discretion  young) For the “Wise” – add to their learning; For “the Discerning” –still get guidance. Motto (1:7) a)“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom” ; b) Don’t be a fool who dispises wisdom and discipline.

  4. 3) Long Instructions/Admonitions a) Extended Admonitions (2: 1-22; 3: 1-20; 4:1- 9) b) Reflections & Personal Observations (4: 3-9; 7: 6-23; 6: 6-8) 4) Wisdom Speeches & Personification (1:20-23; 8:1-36; 9:1-6, 13-18) 5) Short Proverbial Sayings Cf. Bricker, Daniel P. “The Doctrine of the :Two-Ways” in Proverbs,” JETS 38 (1995): 501-17. (uploaded on site).

  5. 5) Short Proverbial Sayings (Continued) a) Transmission from saying proverb b) The “polar” structure c) Aim: to say the maxi. Of things with the min. of words (& its limits) d) Every gnomic/Wisdom saying needs a “balancing corrective” (Murphy) e) The danger of dogmatizing (e.g., 14:11; 3:33) – and Job’s suffering? e) Categories of Proverbs: (1) General proverbs (e.g.,15:1) (2) Situation-Specific (e.g., 6:19a; 12:17) (3) Opposing (26:4-5; 17:27-28; 15:6) (4) Anachronistic (20:20; 19:18) still valid?

  6. 6) Conclusion/Epilogue (31: 10-31) (Implications: if 31:10-31 is taken as the conclusion to the whole book)? cf. Leung Lai, Barbara M. “Making Sense of the Biblical Portrait: Toward an Interpretive Strategy for the Virtuous Wife” in Proverbs 31:10-31” in Teach Me Your Paths: Studies in Old Testament Literature and Theology. Edited by John Kessler & Jeffrey P. Greenman. Toronto: Clements Publishing, 2001. (Hard copy circulated)

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