The Book Of Proverbs And Arabic Proverbial Works

This is the first detailed study that critically compares and contrasts the wisdom sentences of the Book of Proverbs with classical and post-classical Arabic proverbs; reference is also made to current Arabic proverbs. The wisdom tradition of Solomon is examined and is compared to that of the Arab sage Luqmân. The book deals with three main themes that are of special significance both in the Book of Proverbs and in Arabic proverbial works: royalty, speech and silence, wealth and poverty. The book concludes with a study of some form-critical and traditio-historical aspects of the treated proverbs. Hundreds of classical Arabic proverbs and wisdom sayings of Prophet Muḥammad appear for the first time in English.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

A work dealing with Morocco by Professor Westermarck dedicated to Sir James Frazer should be sure of a favourable reception, though it may be fancied that its subject evokes far less interest in this country than in France, which devotes more than one journal to the institutions of her Protectorate, and can show a whole library of monographs, many of them highly expert, dealing with the country. The Arabs have a saying likulli maqamin magalun "every occasion has its formula," and the Professor, who has taken the trouble to collect 2013 of such formula, has divided them into subjects, and in each case explained the occasion to which it is suitable. He has printed them in Arabic script and in elaborate transliteration, and pre-fixed a valuable introduction, in which the characteristics of the proverbial style are acutely analysed. His work is there-fore without question an important addition to the literature of proverbs, to that of the Arabic vernaculars, and to that of "folklore " in the literal sense of the word. -- from http://www.jstor.org (June 16, 2014).

In this commentary Ernest Lucas takes a unique cluster approach to the book of Proverbs, studying it thematically and showing how it speaks to such issues as character formation, gender relations, wealth and poverty, interpersonal communication, science and religion, and care for the environment. After an introduction discussing the authorship, date, structure, ancient Near Eastern context, and literary forms of Proverbs, Lucas provides critical exegesis of the biblical text in his section-by-section commentary. He identifies proverbial clusters and uses them as the basis for interpreting individual proverbs. Several substantial theological essays in a concluding section illuminate major ethical, pastoral, and spiritual themes in Proverbs. Ably unpacking the rich wisdom embedded in the book of Proverbs, Lucas has written a succinct, accessible theological commentary perfect for pastors, teachers, and students.