Wisdom in Transition (2008 Adams), book

Wisdom in Transition: Act and Consequence in Second Temple Instructions (2008) is a book by Samuel L. Adams.

Abstract

"This volume considers a major shift among Jewish sages during the Second Temple period, as certain authors moved from an earthly focus to a belief in individual immortality. Egyptian instructions and the book of Proverbs are examined for necessary background. The colorful responses of Qoheleth and Ben Sira to an emergent belief in the afterlife are also discussed. 4QInstruction, the largest Wisdom text from the Dead Sea Scrolls corpus, demonstrates this shift to an eschatological understanding. This book considers the diverse reasons for the changes that one finds in 4QInstruction, especially the issue of social context. It will prove useful to those interested in Wisdom literature, the Dead Sea Scrolls, apocalypticism, and the development of beliefs in the afterlife."--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in Leiden: Brill, 2008 (Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism, 125).

Contents

Introduction; Chapter One Act and Consequence in Egyptian Instructions; Chapter Two Act and Consequence in the Book of Proverbs; Chapter Three Wisdom in Transition: The Book of Ecclesiastes; Chapter Four Ben Sira's Apologetic Response; Chapter Five Wisdom in Transition: Mystery and Eschatology in 4QInstruction; Conclusion.

External links

• [ Google Books]