In our last post, we covered the basics of Wisdom Literature, such as it’s function, it’s historical development, and some of its characteristics. Today we wanna look at what kind of flavors it comes in. Knowing the particular flavor of the Wisdom pericope in front of you will help you know how to apply the pericope to your actual life.
Forms of Wisdom Lit
The Proverb
Proverbs are brief statements of universal truth. They are also the most abundant form of Wisdom Lit in the Bible. One needs to remember that they are advice, not law codes! They were designed to be easily remembered oral sayings, not propositional truth statements. As such, they often overstate the case.
The Saying
These are more stylized forms of the proverb. Instead of being advise on life, they are observations of the flow of life. Example: Proverbs 11:24 (TNIV):
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
They are often gathered into a discussion or instruction on a given topic, such as Proverbs 1-9, which is a prolonged discussion on the wise man vs the foolish man.
The Admonition
Admonitions are commands or prohibitions which are followed by the motivation or explanation behind the command/prohibition. They are much more direct than the saying or the proverb. Note the tight structure of the admonition below:
| Example | Admonition | Motivation |
| Proverbs 9:9a | Instruct the wise | and they will be wiser still |
| Proverbs 9:9b | teach the righteous | and they will add to their learning. |
Hymns and Prayers
Hymns and prayers of wisdom are found interspersed all throughout the Bible. Examples include Daniel 9:4-19 and Proverbs 8.
Their main themes are the glorification of wisdom and giving thanks to God as the creator and redeemer.
The Dialogue
Dialogues are conversations between the author and an [sometimes imagined] adversary. The thoughts of the adversary are often objections to God’s plan for the world or Wisdom itself. The dialogue seeks to defeat the foolishness of the adversary. Examples of this include more of Job (conversations between Job, his friends, and God) and Proverbs 1:11-14;22-24, quoted below:
If they say, "Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot"—"How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
The Confession
In the confession, the sage gives his experience as an example for others. This often takes the form of a king or other royal figure sharing the lessons learned in life. The best examples of this are the entire book of Ecclesiastes, Job in 29-31, and Solomon in Proverbs 4:3-9 and Proverbs 24:30-34.
Proverbs 4:3-9
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
"Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown."
Onomastica (Wisdom lists)
Omomastica are lists of the deeds or attributes of God or Wisdom itself. Great examples are Job 38 and Psalm 104.
Psalm 104:1-5
1 Praise the LORD, my soul.
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.2 The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.4 He makes winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.5 He set the earth on its foundations;
it can never be moved.
Beatitudes
Our last form of Wisdom literature is the beatitude. These are lists of that which is blessed by God. This helps the reader understand what God values. They, like the admonition, often begin with a statement of blessing followed up by for what reason that class of thing is blessed.
| Example: | Blessed Thing: | Explanation: |
| Matthew 5:4 | Blessed are those who morn | for they will be comforted. |
| Psalm 112 | Blessed is the man who fears the LORD | [1a] who finds great delight in his commands…. [2a] His children will be mighty in the land… [5a] Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,…. |
Examples of this are Matthew 5-1:12, Psalm 112, etc. As you can see, beatitudes can come in the form of sayings, such as in Matthew 5 or as omomastica, such as in Psalm 112.
