wisdom literature
Quick Summary
Wisdom literature is a genre of writing that focuses on practical and speculative advice for living a good life. Originating in the ancient Near East, it was particularly prominent in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, with examples dating back to before 2500 BCE.1
This literature typically features maxims, proverbs, and parables intended for instruction, especially for young men. It explores both the practicalities of daily conduct and deeper questions about the meaning of life and the nature of good and evil.1
Key examples include the biblical book of Proverbs, which emphasizes practical wisdom, and the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, which delve into speculative wisdom. Other related works include the Wisdom of Solomon and Ecclesiasticus.123
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biblical literatureProverbsWisdom literature flourished throughout the ancient Near East, with Egyptian examples dating back to before the middle of the 3rd millennium bce. It revolved around the professional sages, or wise men, and scribes in the service of the court, and consisted primarily in maxims about…
Read MoreWisdom literature flourished throughout the ancient Near East, with Egyptian examples dating back to before the middle of the 3rd millennium bce. It revolved around the professional sages, or wise men, and scribes in the service of the court, and consisted primarily in maxims about…
Read More- biblical literatureWisdom literature
There are two deuterocanonical works of the genre known as wisdom literature, one Hebrew and one Greek. The Hebrew work is called Ecclesiasticus, in the Latin Bible and in Greek manuscripts Sophia Iēsou huiou Sirach (the Wisdom of Jesus the…
Read MoreThere are two deuterocanonical works of the genre known as wisdom literature, one Hebrew and one Greek. The Hebrew work is called Ecclesiasticus, in the Latin Bible and in Greek manuscripts Sophia Iēsou huiou Sirach (the Wisdom of Jesus the…
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- Amenemope
…most of the instruction or wisdom literature written earlier, was a collection of maxims and admonitions setting forth practical injunctions for living. In particular, many parallels have been drawn between the form and content of portions of Amenemope’s work and the Hebrew Book of Proverbs, although the nature of the…
Read More…most of the instruction or wisdom literature written earlier, was a collection of maxims and admonitions setting forth practical injunctions for living. In particular, many parallels have been drawn between the form and content of portions of Amenemope’s work and the Hebrew Book of Proverbs, although the nature of the…
Read More - Hellenistic religionNature and significance
…may trace the rise of Wisdom literature (the teachings of a sage concerning the hidden purposes of the deity) and apocalyptic traditions (referring to a belief in the dramatic intervention of a god in human and natural events) that represent these central concerns—i.e., national destiny, the importance of traditional lore,…
Read More…may trace the rise of Wisdom literature (the teachings of a sage concerning the hidden purposes of the deity) and apocalyptic traditions (referring to a belief in the dramatic intervention of a god in human and natural events) that represent these central concerns—i.e., national destiny, the importance of traditional lore,…
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JudaismThe Davidic monarchyIn this period the traditional wisdom cultivated among the learned in neighboring cultures came to be prized in Israel. Solomon is represented as the author of an extensive literature comparable to that of other sages in the region. His wisdom is expressly attributed to YHWH in the account of his…
Read MoreIn this period the traditional wisdom cultivated among the learned in neighboring cultures came to be prized in Israel. Solomon is represented as the author of an extensive literature comparable to that of other sages in the region. His wisdom is expressly attributed to YHWH in the account of his…
Read More- JudaismEgyptian Jewish literature
…were in the realm of wisdom literature and philosophy. In a work on the analogical interpretation of the Law of Moses, Aristobulus of Paneas (2nd century bce) anticipated Philo in attempting to harmonize Greek philosophy and the Torah. He used allegory to explain anthropomorphisms in the Bible and asserted that…
Read More…were in the realm of wisdom literature and philosophy. In a work on the analogical interpretation of the Law of Moses, Aristobulus of Paneas (2nd century bce) anticipated Philo in attempting to harmonize Greek philosophy and the Torah. He used allegory to explain anthropomorphisms in the Bible and asserted that…
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Mesopotamian religionSumerian literatureWith the sole exception of wisdom literature, the core genres are panegyric in nature (i.e., they praise something or someone), and the magical power and use of praise is to instill, call up, or activate the virtues presented in the praise.
Read MoreWith the sole exception of wisdom literature, the core genres are panegyric in nature (i.e., they praise something or someone), and the magical power and use of praise is to instill, call up, or activate the virtues presented in the praise.
Read More- Mesopotamian religionAkkadian literature
…point in the genre of wisdom literature. From the 1st millennium bce the rise of factual historical chronicles and a spate of political and religious polemical writings reflecting the rivalry between Assyria and Babylonia deserve mention. Very late in the millennium, the first astronomical texts appeared.
Read More…point in the genre of wisdom literature. From the 1st millennium bce the rise of factual historical chronicles and a spate of political and religious polemical writings reflecting the rivalry between Assyria and Babylonia deserve mention. Very late in the millennium, the first astronomical texts appeared.
Read More - Middle Eastern religionLiterary sources of knowledge of ancient Middle Eastern religion
…study of ancient Middle Eastern wisdom literature.
Read More…study of ancient Middle Eastern wisdom literature.
Read More - Middle Eastern religionViews of basic values and ends of human life
Wisdom literature tended to stress the same virtues and to condemn the same vices, regardless of the region and cult. It remained for the prophets of Israel to single out uncompromising virtue as the overriding consideration in the good life required by God. The most…
Read MoreWisdom literature tended to stress the same virtues and to condemn the same vices, regardless of the region and cult. It remained for the prophets of Israel to single out uncompromising virtue as the overriding consideration in the good life required by God. The most…
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