Proverbs (1999 Clifford), book

<bibexternal title="Proverbs: A Commentary Old Testament Library" author="Richard J. Clifford"/>

Proverbs: A Commentary (1999) is a book by Richard J. Clifford.

Abstract

English commentary on the Book of Proverbs.

"Through exacting translation, technical notes, and insightful commentary, Richard Clifford sheds new light on the book of Proverbs. He focuses on the rhetoric of Proverbs to demonstrate how the book fosters a lifelong search for wisdom and to enable readers to see how its instructions and maxims are concerned with contemporary issues. Clifford unveils the fascinating aspects of Proverbs - its wit and irony, honesty and profundity, drama and conflict, and, ultimately, its concern with wisdom as a fundamental option in life."--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999 (Old Testament Library).

Contents

Introduction -- Date of composition and editing -- Historical context -- The wisdom literature that Proverbs inherited -- Distinctive ideas -- The background and function of personified wisdom and her rival -- The Hebrew text and versions of Proverbs -- The influence of Proverbs on later literature -- The meaning of Proverbs today -- Commentary -- 1:1-7 Introduction to the book -- 1:8-19 Lecture I: The deadly alternative to parental wisdom -- 1:20-33 Wisdom Poem I: The risk of spurning me -- 2:1-22 Lecture II: Seek wisdom and Yahweh will keep you safe -- 3:1-12 Lecture III: Trust in God leads to prosperity -- 3:13-20 Interlude: Wisdom's benefits and prestige -- 3:21-35 Lecture IV: Justice toward the neighbor brings blessing -- 4:1-9 Lecture V: A father's example -- 4:10-19 Lecture VI: Two ways of living life -- 4:20-27 Lecture VII: With your whole being heed my words and live -- 5:1-23 Lecture VIII: The wrong and the right woman -- 6:1-19 Interlude: Four short pieces -- 6:20-35 Lecture IX: The dangers of adultery -- 7:1-27 Lecture X: The deceptive woman -- 8:1-36 Wisdom Poem II: Become my disciple and I will bless you -- Excursus I: The interpretation of Prov. 8:22 in early Judaism and Christianity -- Excursus II: The translation of 'amôn in v. 30 -- 9:1-18 Wisdom Poem III: The two women invite passersby to their banquets -- 10:1--22:16 The Proverbs of Solomon -- 22:17--24:22 The words of the wise -- 24:23-34 Further words of the wise -- 25--29 Further Proverbs of Solomon, collected by the servants of King Hezekiah -- 30:1-14 The words of Agur, and four sorts of scoundrels -- 30:15-33 Numerical sayings -- 31:1-9 The words to Lemuel, King of Massa -- 31:10-31 Hymn to the capable wife.

External links

• [ Google Books]