Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

1. Klaus Koch and the Tun-Ergehen-Zusammenhang

2. Second Temple Instructions and the "Eschatologizing" of Wisdom

3. Layout of the Present Study

Chapter One Act and Consequence in Egyptian Instructions

1. Introduction

1.1 Background on the Instructions

1.2 Purpose of This Chapter

2. Ma'at and the "Free Will of God"

3. Old and Middle Kingdom Instructions

3.1 Instruction of Ptahhotep

3.2 Teaching for Merikare

4. New Kingdom Instructions

4.1 Instruction of Amenemope

5. Conclusions

Chapter Two Act and Consequence in the Book of Proverbs

1. Introduction

2. Structure of Proverbs

2.1 Structure of Proverbs 1–9

2.2 Structure of LXX-Proverbs

3. Date

4. Social Setting

5. Divine Agency and the Yahwistic Redaction Theory

6. Proverbs, World-Order, and Social Solidarity

7. The Didactic Process in Proverbs

8. Death in Proverbs

8.1 Retribution and Death in LXX-Proverbs

9. Conclusions

Chapter Three Wisdom in Transition: The Book of Ecclesiastes

1. Introduction

2. Genre

3. Structure and Literary Integrity

3.1 Epilogue to Qoheleth

4. Historical Setting and Possible Influences on Qoheleth

4.1 Hellenistic Influence?

4.2 Other Influences on the Sage

5. Death in Qoheleth

6. The "Human Spirit" in Qoheleth

7. Conclusions

Chapter Four Ben Sira's Apologetic Response

1. Introduction

2. Genre

2.1 Priestly References in Sirach

3. Structure and Literary Integrity

3.1 Prayer for Deliverance in Sirach 36

4. Historical Setting and Possible Infl uences on the Sage

4.1 Hellenistic and Other Influences

5. Ben Sira's Pedagogy and Promise of Retribution

6. Determinism, Free Will, and Theodicy

7. Ben Sira and 1 Enoch

8. Wisdom and Torah in Ben Sira

9. Death in Sirach and the Possibility of an Afterlife

9.1 References to Eternal Life in Sirach

10. Affirmation of the Tun-Ergehen-Zusammenhang

11. Conclusions

Chapter Five Wisdom in Transition: Mystery and Eschatology in 4QInstruction

1. Introduction

2. Structure and Literary Integrity

3. The Promise of Retribution

4. Apocalyptic Eschatology in a Wisdom Text

5. Social Setting for 4QInstruction

6. Date

7. The Didactic Process in 4QInstruction

8. The "Spiritual People" and the "Fleshly Spirit"

8.1 Free Will and Determinism in 4QInstruction

9. 4QInstruction: A Sectarian Document?

10. 4QInstruction and the Wisdom of Solomon

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index of Authors

Index of Texts