Synopses & Reviews
As we enter the new millennium, the search for wisdom is on, with no better place to look than the book of Proverbs. It transcends the ages with timeless wisdom:
-- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
-- For the Lord grants wisdom, at his behest come knowledge and good sense.
-- Happy the man who has found wisdom, the man who obtains good sense. For better her profit than the profit of silver, her yield than that of fine gold. More precious is she than rubies; no valuables can match her.
-- Attend, my son, and take my words, that the years of your life may increase.
In Proverbs 1-9, Bible scholar Michael V. Fox translates and explains the meaning of the first nine chapters of this profound book. A thorough introduction to Proverb, highlighted by an examination of the Egyptian wisdom tradition, as well as a survey of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, provide the basis of detailed and insightful comments. In addition to the translation and commentary proper, Fox includes several extended thematic essays and textual notes on Proverbs 1-9, covering such themes as the origins of personified wisdom, what wisdom is, and where wisdom can be found. This substantive book, the first of a two-volume set, at last accords Proverbs the depth of study it deserves, and will assure it a life in print at least as long as the original 1965 Anchor Bible Commentary, Proverbs/Ecclesiastes.
Synopsis
In Proverbs 1-9, Bible scholar Michael V. Fox translates and explains the meaning of the first nine chapters of this profound, timeless book, and examines their place in the intellectual history of ancient Israel. This thorough study of Proverbs includes a survey of the collections of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, as well as innovative and insightful comments. In addition to the translation and commentary proper, Fox includes several extended thematic essays on Proverbs 1-9, covering such themes as the origins of personified wisdom, what wisdom is, and where wisdom can be heard, plus an appendix of textual notes. The format of the commentary makes it accessible to the general reader and also provides materials of special interest to scholars. This is the first of a two-volume commentary that accords Proverbs the depth of study it deserves.