Tree of Life, 3rd ed.: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature

Roland Murphy's Tree of Life ( 3rd edition) is a wonderful study of the so-called "Wisdom Literature" in the Old Testament--including Proverbs, Job, Qoheleth, Ben Sira, and the Wisdom of Solomon. The book was originally published in 1990, but Murphy has added two fascinating supplements, one in 1996, the other in 2000. While his addition of supplements seems a bit unusual (why not integrate new material into the old?--a question he asks himself), he decided, wisely I think, to separate the new updated material from the original. The result is that one can see the shift in interpretive approaches over a 10 year period or so.For the ordinary reader such as myself, what is most fascinating about this study is the light it puts on a rather profound question: how is wisdom literature related to the historical tradition by which Israel identified itself. One way to see this is to experience the difference between a salvation-liberation narrative and a literature of wisdom, or the search for it. I think Murphy does throw much light on this issue, though I suspect more will be written about it in the future.One of the perspectives that struck me was that books like Qoheleth and Job actually became part of the Christian scriptures. They are frankly skeptical and questioning in tone. While some might say that faith in Christ resolves all the skeptical tensions raised in these books, I think to the contrary that these tensions always remain. However, Murphy does an admirable job of showing how skepticism in this ancient context always presupposed a faith in God. We are not used to the idea that these two things could "go together". This is why attention to Wisdom literature, among other reasons, continues to be relevant to Christian faith even today. Faith and questioning are not antithetical.

Thorough explication of biblical Wisdom Literature with technical apparatus for the advanced biblical student but accessible to the lay reader as well. Murphy update the work two times over the years to include more recent scholarly works and opinions.

Very interesting

Murphy is still considered one of the leading scholars in the study of Wisdom literature, and this brief introduction proves why. Murphy gives a satisfying and stimulating introduction to biblical Wisdom literature (including Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon) as well as treatments on Wisdom intertextuality, theology, and the metaphor of Woman Wisdom. However, the layout of the book - moving updates to separate appendices - makes it cumbersome to read, and Murphy's methodology leaves something to be desired. All in all, this is an invaluable resource for lay readers and those without an extensive background in Wisdom studies, but the more advanced scholar will probably be disappointed in this work.

Great

This is a very good book, it will grow you spiritually, not an easy read

Roland Murphy, a Carmelite, is associated closely with the scholars Ray Brown and Joseph Fitzmyer, buthe focused on the Old Testament, and specifically, Wisdom literature.Although the Psalms and the Song of Songs are placed in the Bible with the Wisdom books, they are eacha separate genre. Murphy categorizes the wisdom books as Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach and Wisdom.Many of these are attributed to Solomon. However, Murphy shows the plurality of voices within this traditionas it relates to the topic of Job, the problem of evil. Unlike some scholars, he does not suggest that the Scripturesare contradictory, but he does show the diversity of perspectives within them.This begins with Proverbs, which like Psalm 1, frequently shows the two paths and how things work out for thebetter for those who choose the right path. Murphy designates this as the traditional view of good and evil,reward and punishment, blessing and curse, etc., as they are manifest in this life. Then follow the very interestingbooks of Job and Ecclesiastes, which show the suffering of the innocent man and the vanity of life. I have studiedJob a lot, but I did gain new insights from Murphy. There was the question of Job's wife and whether she said"bless" or "curse" God and die. Well, she said bless, but she meant curse, because it was sarcastic, or somethinglike that. The portrayal of Job's friends and Elihu is not just a caricature, but a serious argument, and in factrepresents the point of view of Proverbs. Then there's Ecclesiastes. Murphy talks about how its place in thecanon has always been uneasy (although unlike some books, it is in the Catholic and Protestant Bibles,Septuagint, etc.). While all the OT needs to be read in light of Christ if you are a Christian, I always have gottena lot out of letting Qoheleth stand on his own.Then there's Sirach or Ben Sira, which reasserts the traditional view, as seen in the famous passagerecalling all our fathers in faith. Finally, there's the Book of Wisdom, which Murphy dates as lateas 30 BC (previously I had seen 50 BC) and reflects the Greek influence but is distinctively Jewish.His late dating for me shows the excitement of the currents of thought and spirituality that werecirculating as the world was being prepared for Jesus.

I ordered this on Jan 1st and found it in my mail today! (Jan 4) Now that's service. It is indeed in new condition and, to my surprise, is an updated version of the one I have been reading, making the whole deal even better.

As described. On time.

Excellent!

interesting research about the message of Wisdom in Israel. the author develops particularly the part of the Bible, or better all the books of the Old Testament named as books of wisdom. the believers who would like to deepen this beautiful part of the Bible, for me the best, find in this test a good ad satisfying approach about the wisdom literature in Israel