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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Wise King, Royal Fool: Semiotics, Satire and Proverbs 1-9

Wise King, Royal Fool: Semiotics, Satire and Proverbs 1-9

Miles, Johnny E.

Hardcover

Series: Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies, Book 399

Bible Studies

ISBN10: 0567080935
ISBN13: 9780567080936
Publisher: Continnuum-3PL
Published: Jun 1 2004
Pages: 134
Weight: 0.74
Height: 0.66 Width: 6.30 Depth: 9.44
Language: English

This study focuses on a reading of Proverbs 1-9 as satire and argues that it alludes to two points of critique against Solomon: his political policy of socio-economic injustice and his numerous sexual (in)discretions. That Solomon abandoned his divinely proscribed duty only evinces his lack of fear of Yahweh. First, Solomon demonstrates his lack of discernment by an inability to rule with righteousness, justice and equity because of administrative policies that bled the innocent dry of their resources for his own self-aggrandizement. Second, Solomon's sexual behavior reflects his need of Wisdom as the personification of eroticism.

The absence of the fear of Yahweh in Solomon prompts the poet's reproof in Proverbs 1-9 that he should resume his proper role of Torah meditation. How the son responds to the decision posed to him remains decidedly open-ended, since satire generally offers no denouement to its plot. Nevertheless, the signs of this satiric poetry intimate the wise king as a royal fool.

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