Reviewing Recent Research on the Wisdom Literature

Abstract

This article outlines some of the main interests of scholars of the biblical wisdom literature (Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes) in the last twenty years. It looks in general terms at the interest in the wider Ancient Near Eastern world and how that has influenced wisdom studies, at literary issues, at wisdom's theological themes, at feminist study of wisdom literature and at the history of interpretation. It also looks more specifically at interest in pedagogic concerns and social context in Proverbs, at genre issues in Job and at authorship issues in Ecclesiastes.