Courses

Proverbs belongs to a classification of writings that have come to be called wisdom. Ancient Israel seems to have had the classifications of the torah of the priests, the word of the prophets, and the counsel of the wise (Jer 18:18). Wisdom writings are also known in Egypt and Mesopotamia, some Egyptian wisdom is closely related to Proverbs (e.g. Prov 22:20–23:34). These writings begin in ancient times (before Moses) and continue into the pre-New Testament period. This course will place Proverbs within ancient wisdom and within Hebrew wisdom writings more specifically. It will examine both the intention and function of such writings.

In this course the structure of the book of Proverbs will be developed, the form and purpose of the Hebrew mašal (saying) will be studied, along with the various genres included within the collections. Attention will be given to the way these functioned in their original life setting (Sitz im Leben). The lessons of Proverbs come to us in their own code with a specific goal; they are “modes of reflection and poetic expression that arise out of the deeply felt ontic tension between order and disorder and that are employed either to reaffirm a tradition or to articulate a counter-order which is based in experiences not validated by the tradition” (Williams 1981, 89). Participants in this course will come to better understand the genre of maśkîl (skillful writing) and the reasons for considerable differences in translation, especially in particular proverbs. They will learn the technique of making the wisdom of Proverbs relevant to specific situations.

Knowing

• The student will come to know the development of the book of Proverbs within the context of Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom, its literary structure, the genre, intention and function of proverb.
• The student will understand cultural context and rhetorical effect in using proverbs.
• The student will learn how the book of Proverbs assumes covenant values and applies its theology to life issues.

Being

• The student will be wise in knowing how to live according to covenant values.
• The student will be an example in using proverbs constructively to explain circumstances.
• The student will mature in “the ability to cope” (Alexander W. Kenworthy, 1974).

Doing

• Students will interpret and apply the wisdom of proverbs in daily life.
• Students will “answer” and “not answer” fools according to their folly (Prov. 26:4–5).
• Students will teach others to use proverbs in understanding life situations.
• Students will use proverbs to better understand their own culture.