Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Canticles, Ecclesiastes, and Esther (Forms of the Old Testament Literature | FOTL)

by Roland E. Murphy

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1981

Overview

Murphy sees three of the six books (Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes) as being technically ‘wisdom literature.’ The others are either love poems or historical narrative that fit well within the context of the subject presented here. In this volume previous form-critical work is carefully evaluated, and the result is a thorough-going form-critical treatment of this part of the Old Testament. The work is enhanced by bibliographies for each Old Testament book and a glossary of general terms.

Contents

Top Highlights

“ Due to the story line (a deliberate contrast with the Naomi of ch. 1), the emphasis is placed upon Naomi.” (Page 94)

“As the book stands in its entirety, the intention is to present the providential care that was working behind the choice of David. Gerleman is correct in seeing a parallel between Ruth and the patriarchal narratives; both have the same theological direction—leading into the primary saving institutions of Israel: the covenant with Israel at Sinai, and the covenant with David.” (Page 87)

“First, the intention of the Ruth story (1:1–4:17) is not necessarily the same as the intention given to the book in the light of 4:18–22. Second, within the story itself, more than one theme (such as fidelity, or providence) is illustrated, and these deserve to be considered as part of the intention of the book.” (Page 87)

“Dommershausen (pp. 398–402) has pointed out the catchwords of ch. 2: lqṭ (‘glean,’ twelve times); ‘Moabite’ (three times); ‘find favor in the eyes of’ (three times). All three occur in the very beginning in vv. 2–3.” (Page 90)

“part of the Israelite ethos and was not merely a preoccupation of the wisdom tradition, although it was emphasized there” (Page 5)

Praise for the Print Edition

The work, done with Murphy’s customary learning and good sense, offers a valuable perspective for the interpretation of the wisdom material and will serve many generations of students as a dependable guide.

—Brevard Childs, Yale University

Product Details

• Title: Forms of the Old Testament Literature Series: Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Canticles, Ecclesiastes, and Esther (FOTL)
• Author: Roland Murphy
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 1981
• Pages: 199

About Roland E. Murphy

Roland Murphy (1917–2002) was George Washington Ivey Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus at Duke University and adjunct professor of biblical studies at the Washington Theological Union. He contributed to the Song of Songs volume in Hermeneia on CD-ROM 2.0 (43 Vols.)