Jan Jaynes Quesada

The Social World of the Sages

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This is a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to biblical Wisdom in its historical and social environment. Eminently readable with plenty of illustrations from the ancient and modern worlds, it is ideally suited as a textbook for a course in Wisdom. While Sneed’s conclusion about the theological orientation of Wisdom goes against the consensus, his view is well defended and contextualized.” —Steven L. McKenzie Rhodes College “With so much attention being given to prophets and kings, it is refreshing to find a volume that addresses wisdom and the sage. What is particularly remarkable about Sneed’s book is his careful prose, attention to detail, and systematic treatment of the subject. He brings the readers along with a step-by-step approach, preparing them for more complex ideas and a greater understanding of this important facet of ancient life. His use of ancient Near Eastern texts is also important as a demonstration of the broader literary and social context of ancient Israel.” —Victor H. Matthews Missouri State University “Sneed has produced a comprehensive survey of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature which describes its remarkable variety of sub-genres and reflects on its diverse life-settings, producers, and practitioners. This book would be an accessible, contextual introduction to the Bible’s wisdom literature and to the broad range of wisdom elements within the biblical world.”