Proverbs

by Lucas C. Ernest

Overview

In this erudite yet accessible commentary Ernest Lucas elucidates the book of Proverbs both exegetically and thematically. Explicating the text in light of its ancient Near Eastern context, Lucas also shows the relevance of Proverbs for the twenty-first century, speaking as it does to such issues as character formation, gender relations, wealth and poverty, interpersonal communication, science and religion, and care for the environment.
 
Lucas uniquely identifies “proverbial clusters” in his critical exegesis of the biblical text and uses them as the basis for interpreting individual proverbs. Several substantial theological essays at the end of the book illuminate major ethical, pastoral, and spiritual themes in Proverbs. Ably unpacking the rich wisdom embedded in the book of Proverbs, Lucas’s accessible theological commentary is perfect for pastors, teachers, and students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467443999
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	12/09/2015
Series:	The Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary (THOTC)
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Ernest C. Lucas is vice principal emeritus of Bristol Baptist College and an honorary research fellow in theology and religious studies at the University of Bristol. His other books include commentaries on Daniel and Ezekiel and a textbook on the Psalms and wisdom literature. A former research biochemist, he has also written books and articles on science and Christian faith.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xi

Abbreviations xii

Introduction 1

What Is Wisdom? 1

What Is a Proverb? 2

The Structure of the Book of Proverbs 2

Authorship and Date 6

Literary Forms in Proverbs 8

Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom Literature 29

The Origin of Proverbs 38

Texts and Versions 44

Commentary 49

Proverbs 1 49

Proverbs 2 59

Proverbs 3 62

Proverbs 4 65

Proverbs 5 69

Proverbs 6 71

Proverbs 7 75

Proverbs 8 77

Proverbs 9 86

Proverbs 10 90

Proverbs 11 96

Proverbs 12 101

Proverbs 13 105

Proverbs 14 109

Proverbs 15 117

Proverbs 16 121

Proverbs 17 126

Proverbs 18 130

Proverbs 19 135

Proverbs 20 140

Proverbs 21 144

Proverbs 22:1-16 148

Proverbs 22:17-24:22 151

Proverbs 24:23-34 162

Proverbs 25 163

Proverbs 26 168

Proverbs 27 172

Proverbs 28 177

Proverbs 29 181

Proverbs 30 185

Proverbs 31 193

Theological Horizons of Proverbs 199

Acts and Consequences in Proverbs 199

Characters in Proverbs 219

Family, Friends and Neighbours in Proverbs 232

God and Proverbs 239

The Personification of Wisdom in Proverbs 250

The Spirituality of Proverbs 273

Wealth and Poverty in Proverbs 291

Wisdom and Christology 314

Wisdom and Creation 343

Words in Proverbs and the New Testament 363

Bibliography 383

Index of Authors 393

Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Literature 396

Editorial Reviews

Raymond C. Van Leeuwen
— Eastern University
“A deep and valuable education in biblical wisdom. Lucas has a readable style that will engage students, pastors, and scholars. He bears his impressive scholarship on Proverbs lightly and serves it up winsomely. I especially welcome the essays on the theology and ethics of wisdom that conclude the book. They merit a wide variety of readers — whoever wishes to make the wisdom of Proverbs their own.

From the Publisher