Includes bibliographical references (p. 271-272) and indexes.

Defining wisdom as a genre -- Wisdom in context in ancient Israel -- Wisdom in the ancient Near East -- Structure and themes in Proverbs -- Wisdom and the feminine in Proverbs -- Theodicy and the themes in Job -- Structure and meaning in Job -- Sceptic, realist or cynic? The life and philosophy of Qoheleth -- A man for the time: Ben Sira of Jerusalem -- The wisdom of the book of Sirach -- Folk-tales, myths and legends: biblical wisdom in its anthropological setting.

"This textbook is for any student of the Old Testament who is in particular interested in the books of Wisdom Literature. The book begins with a consideration of what the term 'wisdom literature' means in Hebrew usage, and also examines which biblical materials might properly be classified as belonging to the category of wisdom literature. The cultural and political context of ancient Israel is examined, together with an analysis of the key problem of whether or not there were any practical levels of literacy in the period in question. This textbook also looks in more depth at those books considered to contain 'wisdom literature': Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus. The genre is characterised by praise of God, often in poetic form and by sayings of wisdom intended to teach about God and about virtue. Questions of authorship, editing, interpretation, the historical context of some of the writings, the books' major themes and sub-themes and the latest criticisms of each are laid out for discussion and analysis." "The book is written with the undergraduate in mind, and is full of pedagogical features including tables and summaries of data, which allows for a more intensive agenda and for those with knowledge of classical Hebrew to pursue individual themes at greater depth."--BOOK JACKET