Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan P. O'Dowd provide an informed introduction to the Old Testament wisdom books Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. More than an introduction, however, this is a thoughtful consideration of the hermeneutical implications of this literature.

The Old Testament is an ancient collection of theological reflections of life with God that the church has claimed as authoritative Scripture. Whereas most introductory books march from Genesis to Malachi, this book engages four important leadership roles across the breadth of the Old Testament canon: king, prophet, priest, and sage. Despite the obvious differences between the societies of ancient Israel and modern America, lessons can be learned from our ancestors in the faith. This engaging volume is intended for people who want to know more about the Old Testament, whether in personal study, church groups, college classrooms, or seminary courses. The book may be used profitably in concert with Theological Themes of the Old Testament: Creation, Covenant, Cultus, and Character (Cascade Books, 2010).

Ancient Iranian literature / James R. Russell -- The functions of the sage in the Egyptian royal court / Ronald J. Williams -- The sage in Mesopotamian palaces and royal courts / Roanld F.G. Sweet -- The scribe (and sage) in the royal court at Ugarit / Loren R. Mack-Fisher. - The social significance of Solomon as a patron of wisdom / Walter A. Brueggemann -- The sage in the Israelite royal court / R.N. Whybray -- Sages and scribes at the courts of ancient Iran / James R. Russell -- The sage in Hellenistic royal courts / John G. Gammie -- The sage in family and tribe / Carole R. Fontaine -- The sage in school and temple / André Lemaire -- The female sage in ancient Israel and in the biblical wisdom literature / Claudia V. Camp -- The sage in Proverbs / James L. Crenshaw -- The sage in the Psalms /.

Combined expertise of a well-known art historian with a gifted inspirational writer brings each of these sixty beautifully depicted scenes to life. Short, inspirational reflections offer insight into the art, including the historical and cultural context and biblical background. Thought-provoking daily readings help readers interact with art pieces from ancient mosaics to medieval tapestries, from folk designs to acclaimed masterpieces.

The Wisdom literature has recently awakened new interest. During the last few decades a steady stream of new scholarly works on the subject have appeared. Still, a comprehensive study on the concept of God in this type of literature is lacking. In the present work, the author attempts to fill this need by giving a more detailed account of the way God is portrayed in the book of Proverbs. After an introductory chapter, the first part of the book discusses the concepts of creation, world order and retribution which are found in the Wisdom literature and attempts to describe how God was regarded by the sages as involved both in the natural world and the realm of human affairs. The second part of the book examines the way God is referred to as, on the one hand, a transcedent being and sovereign Lord and, on the other hand, as a deity who relates intimately to man and is deeply involved in the world. - Publisher.

Available on microfilm from University Microfilms.