The multiple genres of wisdom

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Noting the debates around whether ‘wisdom’ constitutes a genre, Suzanna R. Millar instead studies the multiple smaller genres of which wisdom literature consists. Texts use (and sometimes intentionally misuse) genres to communicate with readers, providing them with conventions for interpretation and expectations about content. Surveying Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, Ben Sira, and Wisdom of Solomon, Millar discerns four clusters of genres, grouped according to their communicative purpose. Some genres intend to instruct their users (sayings, instructions, diatribe, protreptic, and didactic narratives); others engage in reasoning (reflections and wisdom dialogues). These genres are not unexpected in wisdom literature, but the next are more familiar from other biblical corpora: some genres offer praise (either to wisdom, people of God), and others enunciate complaints (laments and legal complaints). These multiple genres combine and interact in complex ways within the wisdom book.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature
EditorsKatharine J. Dell, Suzanna R. Millar, Arthur Jan Keefer
PublisherCambridge University Press
Chapter3
Pages34-56
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9781108673082
ISBN (Print)9781108483162, 9781108716475
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jun 2022

Publication series

NameCambridge Companions to Religion

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • genre
  • Proverbs
  • Ecclesiastes
  • Job
  • Ben Sira
  • Wisdom of Solomon
  • sayings
  • instructions
  • diatribe
  • protreptic
  • didactic narratives

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  • Egyptian wisdom

    Fox, M. V. & Millar, S. R., 9 Jun 2022, The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature. Dell, K. J., Millar, S. R. & Keefer, A. J. (eds.). Cambridge University Press, p. 323-343 21 p. (Cambridge Companions to Religion).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

  • Introduction

    Dell, K. J., Millar, S. R. & Keefer, A. J., 9 Jun 2022, The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature. Dell, K. J., Millar, S. R. & Keefer, A. J. (eds.). Cambridge University Press, p. 3-12 (Cambridge Companions to Religion).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

  • The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature

    Dell, K. J. (ed.), Millar, S. R. (ed.) & Keefer, A. J. (ed.), 9 Jun 2022, Cambridge University Press. (Cambridge Companions to Religion)

    Research output: Book/ReportBook

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