The Inexperienced Person and the Journey to Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs

di Bernadus Dirgaprimawan

"Analecta Biblica" 237

2022, pp. 192

This study offers a holistic reading of the book of Proverbs. Guided by the conceptual metaphor that life is a journey, it explores how this book describes various situations in the life of an inexperienced person who journeys to wisdom. The neophyte undergoes three stages of achieving wisdom, similar to that of ancient Near Eastern heroes, Gilgamesh and Aqhat: the departure, the trials, and the homecoming. The departure captures the early life of this person under the tutelage of authoritative figures (Prov 1–9). The trials set up numerous events outside his protective environment for him to expand his horizon (Prov 10–29). The homecoming starts from the moment he accepts his limitation and embarks on the return journey (Prov 30–31). As he profits from the wisdom drawn from his experiences, the beginner matures into a sage. He makes the most all the insights he has cultivated for the development of a better homeland and finds happiness in the family. He has found what he sought, and so can we.