Wisdom Literature: A Theological History

by Leo G. Perdue

The Old Testament's wisdom literature offers one of the most intriguing collections of biblical books (Proverbs, Job, the Psalms about Torah and wisdom, Ecclesiastes, Qoheleth, Ben Sira, and the Wisdom of Solomon). In this magisterial textbook, preeminent wisdom scholar Leo G. Perdue sets each book of wisdom in its historical context, examining the conditions that produced the book and shaped its thinking. This allows him to show how wisdom thought changed over time in response to shifting historical and social conditions. In addition to analyzing the historical setting of wisdom, Perdue discerns the theological themes and theological developments within this rich literature.

432 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2006

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what the title says it is: Leo Perdue's argument that the wisdom literature of the Hebrew and Christian bibles can be read as theological history. It doesn't work well as an introduction to wisdom literature; Perdue's argument hinges on the reader having a solid grounding in more conventional ways of understanding wisdom literature. I would suggest John Collins' "Introduction to the Hebrew Bible" for a better introduction.

That having been said, Perdue's book does provide excellent and in-depth historical information, and he goes far enough into the text for some of his writing to work as biblical commentary. For readers wanting an advanced examination of wisdom literature, Perdue is well worth the read.