Jul 26, 2021

Biblical Wisdom Literature

The material in the books that are identified as wisdom (e.g., Prov) tends to be be characterized by the following.

  • Literature that is related to the Hebrew root hkm (~kx). This root occurs over 180x in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes (or about 55% of all the occurrences in the OT).
  • Literature that is concerned with the basic issues of life.
  • Literature than prefers the experiential (what happens).
  • Literature that is universal (transcends ethnic lines).
  • Literature that emphasizes the rule rather than the exceptions.
  • Literature where the theology is generally more implicit than explicit.

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