EMPHASIS ON THE ROLE OF YAHWEH

In the previous chapter I argued for a stronger Yahwistic presence in the material of Proverbs than is often acknowledged by scholars, and I suggested that such reference is integral to the material rather than simply a later editorial stage. In reference to Proverbs 1–9, the concept of the ‘fear of Yahweh’ could not be dismissed as a secondary redaction added to an existent text, but often formed an important climax to a passage. It was noted that religious elements sat easily alongside general ethical or educational concerns. Furthermore, Yahweh and Wisdom were often interchangeable concepts. The reference to Yahweh was therefore seen to be integral to the material and arguably at a formative stage. In relation to Proverbs 10:1—22:16, reference to Yahweh was seen to be integral to a number of individual proverbs which probably circulated separately, but within these chapters the Yahwistic proverbs seem to have an important shaping role, indicating their importance both at a primary oral stage and at a second written stage when these proverbs were being placed where they are now. It was also noted in Chapter 3 that Proverbs 22:17—24:22 showed signs of similar context to Proverbs 1–9, while chapters 25–9 often echoed 10:1—22:16, and this division was backed up by the findings in Chapter 4 in relation to the way references to Yahweh were spread.