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The Book of

PROVERBS

Chapters 1:1–15:29

Bruce K. Waltke

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan / Cambridge, U.K.

Publisher’s Note

This commentary was planned and written as a single volume, but its length dictated the need to publish it in two volumes. The reader should note that the Introduction in the present volume covers the entire book of Proverbs; it is not repeated in the second volume.

For the reader’s convenience, each volume has its own table of contents, abbreviation list, and indexes.

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 /
P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The book of Proverbs: chapters 1–15 / Bruce K. Waltke.

p. cm. (The New international commentary on the Old Testament)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-8028-2545-1

1. Bible. O.T. Proverbs I–XV—Commentaries.

I. Title. II. Series.

BS1465.53.W35 2004

223′.7077—dc22

www.eerdmans.com

Dedicated to
Elaine,
my competent wife,
worthy of praise in the gate

CONTENTS

General Editor’s Preface

ii. Text and Versions

A. Hebrew Texts

B. Greek Versions (LXX)

C. Other Ancient Versions

D. Conclusion

iii. Structure

A. Introduction

B. Collection I: Title with Preamble (1:1–7), Prologue (1:8–8:36), and Epilogue (9:1–18)

1. Title with Preamble (1:1–7)

2. Prologue and Epilogue (1:8–9:18)

a. Prologue (1:8–8:36)

b. Epilogue (9:1–18)

c. Organization of 1:8–9:18

C. Collection II: Solomon I (10:1–22:16)

1. Introduction

2. Sections of Collection II

3. Units of Collection II

D. Collection III: The Thirty Sayings of the Wise (22:17–24:22)

E. Collection IV: Further Sayings of the Wise (24:23–35)

F. Collection V: Solomon II (25:1–29:27)

G. Collection VI: The Sayings of Agur Son of Jakeh (30:1–33)

H. Collection VII: The Sayings of Lemuel (31:1–31)

iv. Ancient near Eastern Wisdom Literature

vi. Forms of Proverbs

A. Poetry

1. Terseness and Aphorisms

2. Imagery or Figures

3. Parallelism

a. Sounds and Syllables

b. Words, Phrases, and Syntax

c. Meaning of the Verset Halves

B. Poetics

C. Wisdom Genre

D. Genres in the Book of Proverbs

1. Definition of “Proverb”

2. Proverbs and Sayings

3. Short Sayings and Long Admonitions

E. Setting

1. Setting of Composition

2. Setting of Dissemination

vii. Theology

A. Introduction

1. The Theology of Proverbs and Biblical Theology

2. Proverbs and Pan-Oriental Wisdom Literature

B. God

1. Names of God

2. God as Creator

3. The L ord ’s Transcendence and Immanence

a. The L ord ’s Transcendence

b. The L ord ’s Immanence

4. Retribution

C. Revelation, Inspiration, and Tradition

1. Definitions of “Wisdom” and of “Knowledge”

2. Revelation

3. Inspiration

4. Identification of Woman Wisdom

1. Human Beings in General

a. Words for Humankind...

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About The Book of Proverbs, Chapters 1–15

Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke, this two-volume commentary is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available.

Grounded in the literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation, Waltke’s commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound, ongoing relevance of this Old Testament book for Christian faith and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as “theological literature.” Waltke’s highly readable style—evident even in his original translation of the Hebrew text—makes his scholarly work accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.

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Table of Contents