Proverbs

Concordia Commentary

by Andrew E. Steinmann

Proverbs inculcates God’s wisdom through didactic sayings that teach prudence and discretion for the life of faith, which is contrasted to the foolish ways of the world. Some sections of Proverbs are connected thematically while others feature short, pithy aphorisms that challenge the interpreter. Dr. Steinmann, a seasoned scholar and prolific author, meticulously analyzes the individual proverbs within their larger contexts, tracing the recurring themes, motifs, and patterns within the complex literary structure of the book as a whole. He painstakingly explains the historical setting, authorship, and composition of the proverbs that have been collected to form this book of Scripture. This treasury of divine knowledge reveals God the Son, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Through faith in him, God endows us with insight and guidance on the path of everlasting salvation.

760 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2009

About the author

Andrew Steinmann is Distinguished Professor of Theology and Hebrew at Concordia University Chicago where he has taught since 2001. Dr. Steinmann holds a PhD from the University of Michigan and is an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Dr. Steinmann's publications include over 75 articles and book reviews in national and international peer-reviewed scholarly journals and festschriften. In addition, he is a regular guest on the radio program Issues, Etc.

In September 2011 he was named to the Translation Oversight Committee for the Christian Standard Bible. His publisher is Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis through whom he has published and collaborated on more than 10 books and other material. He is currently working on a new commentary on Esther to the new Christian Standard Commentary series published by Holman.

Dr. Steinmann is married to Rebecca Steinmann, the co-editor of the sixth edition of the widely used Sheehy's Emergency Nursing: Principles and Practice (Mosby Elsivier, 2010) and a contributor to Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course: Provider Manual (Third ed.; Des Plains, IL: Emergency Nurses Association, 2004), AACN Procedure Manual for Pediatric Acute and Critical Care (St. Louis: Saunders Elsivier, 2008) and Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum (Seventh ed.; Elsivier, 2018). They and their cat Lightning live in suburban Chicago where they enjoy birding and cultural events, especially the Lyric Opera.

Reviews

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing commentary which deals with the original language deeply, things seriously theologically, and has devotional application. Anything by Steinmann is good.

[The other John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another year, another Concordia Commentary read. Man, these things take a long time to read! Of course, it should be no surprise that this particular volume was a challenge because the book of Proverbs itself challenges the attention span. Dr. Steinmann did a great job of delving into the text and explaining its nuances, and all sorts of scholarly things. And, as should be the case with a Concordia Commentary, he made sure to point out Christ in every chapter. I'm glad to have it on my shelf. Taken in small chunks, it was a delight to read. My few attempts to push through it, alas, resulted in drowsiness.