The Book of Proverbs

1. Introduction

2. Selected Texts
2.1 The Vocabulary of the Wise in Proverbs 1:2-7
2.2 The Thirty Sayings of the Wise (Prov 22:17 – 24:22)
2.3  The Wisdom Woman and Creation in Proverbs 8:22-31

3. Different Themes in Proverbs

4. Sedeq - Order in Proverbs

5. The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom

6. The Rich and the Poor in the Traditional Wisdom Literature.

7. Proverbs 2 and Proverbs 8 (posted 12/1/2015)

8. The Duterte Charm (posted 12/2/15)

Group Assignment no. 4: Ceresko Chapter 15

Discuss with your designated group mates Ceresko, Chapter 15 "The Book of Wisdom: An Overview" (pp. 139-146) and answer together the review questions (8) at the end the chapter (pp. 145-146). Please be ready with your written answers on Dec. 2 (Wed) .We will be discuss your answers in class. I will collect the written reports afterwards.

Wisdom Exegesis Paper

In lieu of the Midterm Exam, Wisdom students shall a Wisdom Exegesis Paper. Click here for the details.

Deadline: February 5, 2016.

HEBREW POETRY: THE FORMS THAT WISDOM TAKES

Group Assignment 3: Ceresko, Chapter 14 "The Wisdom of Ben Sira: Selected Passages"

Discuss with your designated group mates Ceresko, Chapter 14 "The Wisdom of Ben Sira: Selected Passages" (pp. 127-137) and answer together the review questions (8) at the end the chapter (p. 137.). Please be ready with your written answers on Nov. 25 (Wed) .We will be discuss your answers in class. I will collect the written reports afterwards.

The Origins of Ancient Israel

On this topic (see Ceresko, chap. 3, pp. 15-16), you can read my article "Where Did Israel Come From? Models of the Origins of Ancient Israel," Diwa: Studies in Philosophy and Theology 34 (2009): 28-63.

Or you can down load the whole volume 34 of Diwa here:

Diwa: Studies in Philosophy and Theology 34 (2009)

Group Assignment 2

Discuss with your designated group mates Ceresko, Chapters  8 and answer together the questions at the end the chapter (p. 65). Please be ready with your written answers on Nov. 18 (Wed) as we will be discussing your answers in class and be collected after class.

The Persian Period

To have an idea of the macro-cosmic context of the composition of Proverbs, Job, and Psalms, knowledge of the Persian Empire is helpful. You can read the first chapter of Amy Chua, Day of Empire: How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Dominance--and Why They Fall (Anchor Books, 2009) -Arnoldus Library JC 539.C58d 2009.



The Persian Period, ca. 583-400 or Early Post-exilic period is "one of the most productive eras in the history of Israelite religion” (R. Albertz, 1994) witnessing a multiplicty of “theological currents”: Priestly, Chronistic, wisdom, prophetic and psalm, traditions." See Rainer Albertz, A History of Israelite Religion in the Old Testament Period, Volume II: From the Exile to the Maccabees (Old Testament Library ; Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox, pp. 437-533.

You can CLICK HERE for my ppt lecture in pdf (2012) on the Persian Period.

Read also Ceresko, pp. 24-30.

Wisdom Literature - General Issues

Wisdom Literature - General Issues (Introductory Lecture)

Group Assignment 1

Discuss with your designated group mates Ceresko, Chapters 1-4 and answer together the questions at the end of each chapter. Please be ready with your written answers on Nov. 11 (Wed) as we will be discussing your answers in class and be collected after class.

Wisdom Groupings:

Grading System:
A = Excellent
A- = Very Good
B+ = Above Average
B = Average
B- Passing
C - Failure
INC - Incomplete

Course Guide (Syllabus)

Course Guide (Syllabus) - Wisdom Literature 2015-2016

Prayer of Solomon

God of my ancestors, Lord of mercy,
you who have made all things by your word.

And in your wisdom have established humankind
to rule the creatures produced by you,

And to govern the world in holiness and righteousness,
and to render judgment in integrity of heart:

Give me Wisdom, the consort at your throne,
and do not reject me from among your children;

For I am your servant, the child of your maidservant,
a man weak and short-lived
and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws.

Indeed, though one be perfect among mortals,
if Wisdom, who comes from you, be lacking,
that one will count for nothing.

Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works
and was present when you made the world;
Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes
and what is conformable with your commands.

Send her forth from your holy heavens
and from your glorious throne dispatch her
That she may be with me and work with me,
that I may know what is pleasing to you.

(The Book of Wisdom, chap. 9)