Sapiential Books
Encyclopedia
Sapiential Books or Books of Wisdom is a term used in biblical studies
to refer to a subset of the books of the Jewish Bible in the Septuagint version. There are seven of these books, namely the books of Job
, Psalms, Proverbs
, Ecclesiastes
, the Book of Wisdom
, the Song of Songs
(Song of Solomon), and Sirach. Not all the Psalms are usually regarded as belonging to the Wisdom tradition.
In Judaism
, the Books of Wisdom are regarded as part of the "Writings" or Ketuvim
; in Christianity
, Psalms, Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are included in the Old Testament
by all traditions, while the others are regarded in some traditions as deuterocanonical
, that is, possessing less authority because they are known only from Greek rather than Hebrew versions.
The Sapiential books are in the broad tradition of wisdom literature
that was found widely in the Ancient Near East, and includes writings from many religions other than Judaism
.
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
to refer to a subset of the books of the Jewish Bible in the Septuagint version. There are seven of these books, namely the books of Job
Book of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
, Psalms, Proverbs
Book of Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs , commonly referred to simply as Proverbs, is a book of the Hebrew Bible.The original Hebrew title of the book of Proverbs is "Míshlê Shlomoh" . When translated into Greek and Latin, the title took on different forms. In the Greek Septuagint the title became "paroimai paroimiae"...
, Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes, called , is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth , introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal...
, the Book of Wisdom
Book of Wisdom
The Book of Wisdom, often referred to simply as Wisdom or the Book of the Wisdom of Solomon, is one of the deuterocanonical books of the Bible. It is one of the seven Sapiential or wisdom books of the Septuagint Old Testament, which includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon ,...
, the Song of Songs
Song of songs
Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a book of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. It may also refer to:In music:* Song of songs , the debut album by David and the Giants* A generic term for medleysPlays...
(Song of Solomon), and Sirach. Not all the Psalms are usually regarded as belonging to the Wisdom tradition.
In Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, the Books of Wisdom are regarded as part of the "Writings" or Ketuvim
Ketuvim
Ketuvim or Kəṯûḇîm in actual Biblical Hebrew is the third and final section of the Tanak , after Torah and Nevi'im . In English translations of the Hebrew Bible, this section is usually entitled "Writings" or "Hagiographa"...
; in Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, Psalms, Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are included in the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
by all traditions, while the others are regarded in some traditions as deuterocanonical
Deuterocanonical books
Deuterocanonical books is a term used since the sixteenth century in the Catholic Church and Eastern Christianity to describe certain books and passages of the Christian Old Testament that are not part of the Hebrew Bible. The term is used in contrast to the protocanonical books, which are...
, that is, possessing less authority because they are known only from Greek rather than Hebrew versions.
The Sapiential books are in the broad tradition of wisdom literature
Wisdom literature
Wisdom literature is the genre of literature common in the Ancient Near East. This genre is characterized by sayings of wisdom intended to teach about divinity and about virtue...
that was found widely in the Ancient Near East, and includes writings from many religions other than Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
.