Discipleship
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 50, No. 2 - Spring 2008
Managing Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
By Tremper Longman III. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. 608 pages. Hardcover, $39.99.
Tremper Longman has brought his experience to a helpful and prac- tical commentary of the book of Proverbs. This volume is the second in Baker’s series on Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. While the series admits to seek as its target pastors and seminary students, the book demonstrates a simple outline and is replete with practical application that any Bible student will find helpful. The text is marked by a thorough and helpful use of Hebrew, highlighting both the speakers and the intended audi- ence while revealing the proverbs in their context whenever possible with the balance of Scripture and New Testament application. Frequent use of footnotes allows interested readers the chance to engage in further study of significant topics and the bibliographical section is impressive.
The introduction of the commentary addresses the critical issues regarding the title, place in the canon, authorship, date, setting, genre and style. Longman also addresses the book of Proverbs in the context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. In addition, Longman includes an excellent section on the theology of the book of Proverbs that exposes those who only superficially read the text and miss its theological truths. Among the selected topics discussed, Longman explains the sources of wisdom described in the book of Proverbs. He lists observation and experience, tradition, and mistakes, but omits other sources as described in the book including: the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7), the Word of God (Prov 6:23; 16:20; 28:4–5, 9; 30:5), divine direction (Prov 16:90), and wise counsel from others (Prov 20:5, 18).
The commentary divides the book of Proverbs into five parts. Long- man demonstrates that the first nine chapters of the book are organized as comments on the path of one’s life portrayed as a journey with dangers to avoid along the way. Parts two through five, Longman suggests, reveal a more random arrangement and are divided in this work into two sections of collections of proverbs by Solomon, sayings of the wise, and the final section which encompasses the sayings of Agur and King Lemuel and the Poem of the Virtuous Woman.
Each chapter begins with his translation followed by a section on interpretation. Since the first division of the book demonstrates a more organized structure, Longman concludes each chapter in that division with a section on theological implications. Longman explains that chap- ters 10–31 of Proverbs are intentionally random partly due to the means of collection and partly by intention to address life-situations, reflecting “the messiness of life” (40). Longman is suspicious of commentators who find “under-the-surface-arrangements” (42) within the book. Thus, the final four sections of the commentary proceed with the same verse-by-verse exposition, but leave the implications to the topical studies outlined in the appendix.
The strength of the work is the strong exegetical commentary throughout. Readers will find the topical studies section in the appendix especially helpful. This section outlines 28 topics arranged alphabetically and lists the passages in which they are addressed.
Longman presents the book of Proverbs as a practical book, the pur- pose of which is to “give prudence to the simpleminded . . . [and also] to give knowledge and discretion to the ‘young’” (97). It is addressed to anyone who will listen to its teaching (103), and maintains that those who follow its instructions pursue wisdom, yet understand that “there is always more to learn” (219). Longman explains that some of the proverbs in this book are always true, while some are bound by time and condition.
Those interested in a more detailed explanation for the divisions of the sections of the commentary may leave somewhat disappointed with only a brief paragraph or two introducing each new division of the book.
This commentary leaves the reader with a greater appreciation for God’s Word, a greater understanding of this magnificent book, and access to the wisdom it seeks to convey. It will be an excellent asset for pastors, teachers, seminary students, or anyone interested in a detailed discussion of Proverbs.
