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Exegetical study of Proverbs 10:1—22:16. Proverbs are neither statements of this-worldly cause and effect nor universally applicable doctrines of divine order. Rather, a proverb's meaning and ‚truth' are conditioned by the context. The author delimits sections which the editor(s) of the collection consciously grouped together in their present sequence. He then examines how these literary arrangements both influence the meaning of the individual proverbs and determine their function in context. Indexes of names, passages and subjects are included.
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Knut Martin Heim Like Grapes of Gold Set in Silver
Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Herausgegeben von Otto Kaiser
Band 273
W G DE
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York 2001
Knut Martin Heim
Like Grapes of Gold Set in Silver An Interpretation of Proverbial Clusters in Proverbs 10:1-22:16
w G DE
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York 2001
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Die Deutsche Bibliothek - CIP-Einheitsaufnahme Heim, Knut Martin: Like grapes of gold set in silver : an interpretation of proverbial clusters in proverbs 1 0 : 1 - 2 2 : 1 6 / Knut Martin Heim. - Berlin ; New York : de Gruyter, 2001 (Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft ; Bd. 273) Zugl.: Liverpool, Univ., Diss., 1996 ISBN 3-11-016376-4
© Copyright 2001 by Walter de Gruyter Gmbh & Co., D-10785 Berlin All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in Germany Printing: Werner Hildebrand, Berlin Binding: Lüderitz & Bauer-GmbH, Berlin
To the memory of my father, Klaus Ernst Heim (1934-1993) (Proverbs 17:6)
Preface This book is based on doctoral research undertaken at the University of Liverpool and completed during my time at Tyndale House, Cambridge. I have many people to thank. The inspiration to study biblical Hebrew I owe to Dr. H. Pehlke (Gießen). The lectures of Professor Dr. R. S. Schultz (Gießen and Wheaton) on Ecclesiastes have changed my theology and my life, and he has been a friend and encourager. Professor Dr. Dres. h. c. O. Kaiser (Marburg) has broadened my understanding of Hebrew poetry and Old Testament textual criticism and kindly welcomed this study as part of the BZAW monograph series. My supervisor, Professor A. R. Millard, has given generous advice and unwavering support. Allowing me independence to develop my own ideas, he was always there when needed. Many thanks also go to Professor K. A. Kitchen and Dr. Chris Eyre (Liverpool) for their help with Middle Egyptian, thus opening my understanding to modern linguistics. Generous financial support came from the Methodist Church Overseas Students Development Fund, from Tyndale House, Cambridge, and from the Arbeitskreis für evangelikale Theologie, Tübingen. I am immensely grateful to the people who represent these institutions. Particular thanks are also due to the Rev. Dr. L. J. Griffiths, who read part of the manuscript and provided useful comments on it. The Rev. Dr. I. H. Jones, formerly Principal of Wesley House, Cambridge, has been a wise mentor. During the years as Minister in Soham and Wealdstone, the Rev. Kenneth G. Howcroft, of the Methodist Church's Formation in Ministry Office, has enabled me to spend considerable time on this book. Many friends have enriched my life. 1 want to single out Mr. R. Ziegler, Mr. U. Schröder, Mr. K. Plüddemann, the Rev. Dr. R. Doyle, Dr. S. Hamid-Khani and Dr. D. P. Bailey. Fina