Reviews Of Books -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 68:1 (Spring 2006)
Article: Reviews Of Books
Author: Anonymous


Reviews Of Books

Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1–15. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. Pp. xxxv + 693. $50.00, cloth; Chapters 15–31. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005. Pp. xxxiii + 589. $50.00, cloth.

This long-awaited volume by one of evangelicalism’s foremost OT scholars is the fruit of decades of mature reflection on Proverbs. Waltke exhibits a masterful command of the primary and secondary literature, as well as a force of conviction, both of which can only come from many years of patient and submissive engagement with the subject. This commentary will not only prove to be a major contribution to the field, but the author’s sensitivity to practical issues will assure that pastors and students will reap great benefit from a patient reading of these two volumes.

In terms of the structure of the commentary, there is little out of the ordinary. The volumes are divided at ch. 15 (vol. 2 begins at Prov 15:30). Both volumes begin with the same general editor’s preface, the author’s preface, and a list of abbreviations. Volume 1 contains a 132-page introduction, which is itself of considerable value (more on this below). This is followed by a thirty-seven-page bibliography, totaling about 800 sources. The exegetical portion of the commentary is likewise handled in a straightforward manner. Waltke divides Proverbs into digestible units that reflect his understanding of the logic of the book. Each passage is translated by the author and accompanied by copious learned, technical textual notes (although Hebrew always occurs in transliteration). The passage is then divided into smaller subsections in the commentary proper, typically a half verse, whole verse, or two verses at a time. Volume 2 concludes with four indexes: subjects, authors, Scripture references, and selected Hebrew words and phrases. References to extrabiblical sources are listed in the subject index.

A review of this length cannot do justice to the rich and penetrating insights of the 1,100-page exegetical portion of the commentary. It seems a wiser course of action, therefore, to focus on the introduction, since this is where Waltke lays out the prominent theoretical, methodological, and theological issues that inform his interpretation of Proverbs. Seven general topics are covered: Title (only one paragraph), Text and Versions, Structure, Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom Literature, Authorship, Forms of Proverbs, and Theology. Under the final heading, Waltke treats numerous important topics including how God is portrayed in Proverbs; the concepts of revelation, inspiration, and tradition; anthropology; and Christology. The breadth of topics covered leaves virtually no stone unturned, even if some issues are treated more briefly than ...

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