An Obituary for "Wisdom Literature": The Birth, Death, and Intertextual Reintegration of a Biblical Corpus

Wisdom Literature is a modern scholarship category shaped by nineteenth-century Germany, with traits such as universalism, humanism, rationalism, empiricism, and secularism. Will Kynes proposes a new approach to genre that integrates hermeneutical insight from multiple genre proposals, applied to Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs, mapping out the complex textual network contributing to their meaning.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

An Obituary for Wisdom Literature delves into the enduring definitional challenges that have plagued Wisdom scholarship. Will Kynes contends that Wisdom Literature is not a category employed in early Jewish and Christian interpretation, but rather a modern construct that emerged in the nineteenth century within the context of German scholarship. Kynes sheds fresh light on the characteristics traditionally associated with this category, including universalism, humanism, rationalism, empiricism, and secularism, which strikingly mirror the ideals of that era. Since its initial assembly to reflect contemporary ideals, it is not surprising that biblical scholars have encountered significant difficulties in defining the corpus on alternative grounds or integrating it into the theology of the Hebrew Bible. However, the problem extends beyond why these texts were perceived in a singular manner; rather, it lies in the fact that they are perceived solely in that way.

In response, Kynes builds upon recent theories from literary studies and cognitive science to develop a novel alternative approach to genre. This approach integrates hermeneutical insights from various genre proposals, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding Wisdom Literature. Applying this theory to Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs, Kynes maps out the intricate textual network that contributes to their meaning, unveiling a rich tapestry of interconnections. As the Wisdom Literature category fades away, both the so-called Wisdom texts and the concept of wisdom find renewed vitality and significance.

Weight: 434g
Dimension: 139 x 217 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198898689