The book of Proverbs is the starting point of the biblical wisdom tradition. But how did individual proverbs, instructions and poems come together to form the various collections we have today? Katharine Dell explores the possible social contexts for this varied material in the royal court, wisdom schools and popular culture. She draws shrewdly on materials from the wisdom traditions of the ancient Near East, in particular Egypt, in order to bolster and enhance her theories. She argues that Proverbs had a theological purpose from its conception, with God's creativity being an integral theme of the text rather than one added in later redactions. Dell also shows that echoes of other Old Testament genres such as prophecy, law and cult can be found in Proverbs, notably in chapters 1-9, and that its social and theological context is much broader than scholars have recognised in the past.

The book of Proverbs is the mainspring of the biblical wisdom tradition. Dell explores the possible social contexts for its varied material and provides an overview of the characterisation of its theology by scholars. She discusses how individual proverbs, instructions and poems came to form the collections we have today.

The Book of Proverbs famously contains timeless proverbial advice, but Dell's study emphasizes the rich theological traditions within its pages.

This study explores the sophisticated understanding of the formation of the moral self that emerges in the poetry of Proverbs, which many have wrongly dismissed as simplistic. Anne W. Stewart analyzes images and metaphors to illuminate the Book's views on the role of emotions and desires in shaping moral imaginations.

The book of Proverbs is the most practical book in the Bible. Its instruction in the art of living has been long tried and long proven. Its proverbial seeds of discernment are ready to be planted and rooted in the receptive soil of wisdom's hearers today. As much as we glean from the surface of Proverbs, there remains still more in its depths. David Atkinson's commentary wonderfully illumines the ancient cultural and religious background of the discourses and sayings of Proverbs. More important, Atkinson brings the wisdom of Proverbs into conversation with the wisdom of God now more fully displayed in Christ, clarifying the place of Proverbs in the pattern of God's Word. Part of the beloved Bible Speaks Today series, The Message of Proverbs offers an insightful, readable exposition of the biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for those studying or preaching the Bible and anyone who wants to delve deeper into the text. This revised edition of a classic volume features lightly updated language and a new interior design.

An essential guide to wisdom texts, and the major changes in the approach to different biblical and non-biblical wisdom books.

The book of Proverbs uncovers the foundation of wisdom, marks out the paths that make us wise, and points us to the ultimate source of all true understanding: Jesus Christ. Helping make sense of a unique book, this guide explains the biblical text with clarity and passion—uncovering its wise instruction for godly living that glorifies God and leads to blessing for his people. Over the course of 12 weeks, these studies explore books of the Bible and: Ask thoughtful questions to spur discussion Show how each passage unveils the gospel Tie the text in with the whole story of Scripture Illuminate the doctrines taught in each passage Invite you to discover practical implications Help you better understand and apply God's Word