This book moves beyond the debate on ‘wisdom literature’, ongoing in biblical studies, to demonstrate the productivity of ‘wisdom’ as a literary category. Featuring work by scholars of Egyptology, classics, biblical and Near Eastern studies, it offers fresh perspectives on what makes a text ‘wisdom’. This interdisciplinary volume widens the scope of the investigation into ‘wisdom literature’, chronologically, geographically, and methodologically. Readers are given insights into how the label ‘wisdom’ contributes to our understanding of diverse literary forms across time periods and cultural contexts. In the volume’s introduction, the editors consider ‘wisdom’ as a ‘discourse’, shifting the focus from the debate on whether ‘wisdom literature’ is a genre to the properties of the texts, namely exploring what makes a text ‘wisdom’. This offers a methodological backdrop against which the diverse approaches of the single authors productively coexist, showing how different methodologies can be integrated to reframe our conceptions of ancient literary genres. The chapters in this volume examine texts that are the products of different ancient cultures, with several of them bridging diverse cultural, social, and chronological contexts. By sampling how different methodologies interact both within individual interpretative efforts and in wider attempts to understand cross-cultural literary phenomena, this volume also contributes new perspectives to the scholarship on ancient literary genres. Wisdom Discourse in the Ancient World will interest both students and scholars of the ancient Near East, Egyptology, classical studies, biblical studies, and theology and religious studies, particularly those working on wisdom literature in antiquity. It will also appeal to readers with an interest in comparative approaches and genre studies more broadly.

"The Discourse of Wealth and Poverty in the Book of Proverbs" includes a discussion of "proverbs and metaphor," reviews previous studies of wealth and poverty in Proverbs, offers in-depth analyses of particular passages in Proverbs, and suggests a possible social-historical setting for the book.

This study guide introduces students to the Book of Proverbs from the Old Testament. Zoltán Schwáb examines the book's structure and characteristics; covers the latest Biblical scholarship, including historical and interpretive issues; and considers a range of scholarly approaches from historical-critical through feminist to theological. The guide encourages existential engagement with Proverbs, and uses diverse tools in order to achieve this. A brief chapter by chapter commentary on Proverbs highlights the major themes of each of its sections. The playful ambiguity and poetry of the proverbs is also discussed. A special emphasis is placed on how different historical, literary, or performance contexts can influence a proverb's meaning. Finally, the guide presents an overview of the rich heritage of African interpretation of proverbs. With suggestions of further reading at the end of each chapter, this guide is an essential accompaniment to the study of the Book of Proverbs.

This companion book to DNA of the Spirit, Volume 1 continues the important teachings introduced there and is designed to enhance it as well as unveil further understandings that support humanity. Specific techniques are identified that can lift you in your own light, taking the teaching from the first volume a step further. DNA of the Spirit, Volume 2 offers more maturity and wisdom, and the words are infused with more energy. As you go through it, hold sacredness inside you and ask that the material be imprinted there so that it will become an experience that you can adapt in your life. Some of the information is coded, and sincere students will find they can open these codes. The tools presented here have been used by masters. As you read the material and identify your own truths, you will realize you are on an amazing journey of self-discovery that will help you experience oneness with the universe and find the divine within.