This is the first detailed study that critically compares and contrasts the wisdom sentences of the Book of Proverbs with classical and post-classical Arabic proverbs; reference is also made to current Arabic proverbs. The wisdom tradition of Solomon is examined and is compared to that of the Arab sage Luqmân. The book deals with three main themes that are of special significance both in the Book of Proverbs and in Arabic proverbial works: royalty, speech and silence, wealth and poverty. The book concludes with a study of some form-critical and traditio-historical aspects of the treated proverbs. Hundreds of classical Arabic proverbs and wisdom sayings of Prophet Muḥammad appear for the first time in English.

In this commentary Ernest Lucas takes a unique 'cluster' approach to the book of Proverbs, studying it thematically and showing how it speaks to such issues as character formation, gender relations, wealth and poverty, interpersonal communication, science and religion, and care for the environment.

Conquistadors of the Red City: The Moroccan Conquest of the Songhay Empire recounts the ambitions of a sixteenth century Moroccan ruler to defy geography and send his army across the Sahara Desert in search of the elusive gold fields of West Africa. In destroying the empire of the Songhay, the Moroccans established a trans-Saharan state, but their quest for riches proved to be futile and ruinous, for themselves and for the entire region. This extraordinary chapter of African history is told through Moroccan and West African chroniclers, as well as Western travelers and hostages at the Moroccan imperial court in Marrakech. Their unique perspectives offer rare insight into one of the most important chapters in the history of early modern Africa, and the precursor of an even more devastating phase of the exploitation of the continent-the Atlantic slave trade.

This valuable resource introduces readers to the Old Testament books of wisdom and poetry--Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs--and helps them better understand each book's overall flow. Estes summarizes some of each book's key issues, offers an exposition of the book that interacts with major commentaries and recent studies, and concludes with an extensive bibliography. Now in paperback.

With Proverbs, veteran Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III offers an accessible commentary on one of Scripture's most frequently quoted and visited books. With his deft exegetical and expositional skill, the resulting work is full of fresh insight into the meaning of the text. In addition to the helpful translation and commentary, Proverbs considers theological implications of these wisdom texts, as well as their literary, historical, and grammatical dimensions. Footnotes deal with many of the technical matters, allowing readers of varying interest and training levels to read and profit from the commentary and to engage the biblical text at an appropriate level. This built-in versatility has application for both pastors and teachers. This is the second volume in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series.