Wisdom and Law in Old Testament Wisdom Literature

Authors

Alfred von Rohr Sauer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

10-1-1972

Document Type

Article

Keywords

wisdom, law, israel, prophets, literature, revelation

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

In this article the author shows how the Jewish understanding of wisdom and law changed, especially in the intertestamental period. Wisdom, under the influence of Hellenistic thought, became almost a personal mediator between God and man, although it had originally been used to describe a certain style of living. The word "law" also underwent a change from its first meaning of guidance, to a later meaning in Deuteronomy of "the revelation of Yahweh's will to Israel," to the final identification of law with wisdom as the mediator between God and His creation, including especially man.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

Jeremiah 18:18; Ezekiel 7:26; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 2 Samuel 14:13; 2 Samuel 20:22; Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 3:1-3; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 23:8;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Sauer, Alfred von Rohr (1972) "Wisdom and Law in Old Testament Wisdom Literature," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 43, Article 65.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol43/iss1/65