Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction -- Previous studies on water and water-related phenomena in the Old Testament -- Water and water-related phenomena in the Book of Job -- Water and water-related phenomena in the Book of Proverbs -- Water and water-related phenomena in the Book of Qoheleth -- Water and water-related phenomena in the Deutero-canonical wisdom books -- Conclusions: eco-theological implications of the study -- Appendix A: References to water and water-related phenomena in the Old Testament wisdom books -- Appendix B: References to the life-giving and life-threatening potential of water and water-related phenomena.

Kivatsi Jonathan Kavusa addresses a gap in the field of ecological readings of the Old Testament, exploring the theme of water in the Wisdom books, including the often-ignored deuterocanonical works. Kavusa focuses on both the negative and positive potential of water, drawing in particular on four of the Earth Bible principles: intrinsic worth, interconnectedness, voice, and purpose. Kavusa begins with a summary of the extant studies and literature reviews on water and water-related motifs in the Old Testament. He then analyses the books of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Deutero-canonical wisdom, examining the various references to water as life-giving or life-threatening entities, and expanding upon the themes of water management and sustainability, the intrinsic worth of nature and the unpredicatable, chaotic state of water. This volume concludes with several insights for ecological responsibility and valuable wisdom for an eco-theological perspective, both in Kavusa's African context and with a more universal application. -- Publisher description.