READING THE OLD TESTAMENT PROVERBS ON POVERT FROM AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

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Western interpretations of poverty proverbs in the Book of Proverbs

Most Western studies of the Book of Proverbs have for long relied on the opinion that the book is the work of the elite rather than the poor Israelite masses. As a result, the biblical interpreters have used in their studies cultural models originating in the neighbouring, allegedly advanced, foreign nations (cf. Whybray 1995:26). Therefore, the aim of this sub-section is basically to present a critique and analytical discussion of such studies in terms of some issues resulting from the use of such models. In order to achieve this target, the following questions are posed: What constitutes Israel’s literary dependence on its Ancient Near Eastern neighbours? What cultural ideals (values, patterns, social structures and the worldview regarding poverty and the poor) are assumed to be held in common by the Ancient Near Eastern nations?

The Ancient Near Eastern parallels

Previously, I mentioned the presence of the two scholarly groups involved in the discussion of the social location of the Old Testament proverbs in the Book of Proverbs, namely, the proponents of the ‘official’ solution and those of the ‘popular’ solution (cf. Kimilike 2002:255). In fact, the distinctions between the two positions are based on the characteristics of the proverbs. One of the common arguments favouring the ‘official’ solution to the social location of the Book of Proverbs is based on those characteristics which confirm its similarity to the development of wisdom in the Ancient Near East (cf. Clement 1992:17; Crenshaw 1981:212). A short survey of those historical lines of research showing an affinity to the Ancient Near East is necessary in order to see their effects on the interpretation of poverty proverbs.

The holistic nature of the worldview of ancient Israel

A holistic approach is one that relates to the whole of life: that is, all aspects of life are understood to be intrinsically integrated, interrelated and interdependent. Hence, in the Israelite worldview the aspect of religion is at the core and permeates all the beliefs, behaviours and institutions of that society. Such a holistic conception of life, that seems to underpin the social worldview of ancient Israel, is another issue that has engendered differing opinions among Western biblical interpreters. Murphy (1987:449-458) provides a notable evaluation of the spectrum of this scholarly diversity. Firstly, besides the stance adopted to the international influences on proverbial wisdom described above, emphasis has been placed on the practical and individualised nature of Israelite proverbs. The major reason behind such an emphasis focuses on a kind of high degree of independence originating from both the content and literary context of each proverb.

A review of Western scholars’ interpretations of poverty in the Old

Testament What is the biblical conception of the poor and poverty? This is an important question for a relevant reading of the Bible on poverty and the poor. In response to this question and with renewed interest, recent Western interpretations have attempted evaluations of several Old Testament definitions of poverty. The significant renewal of interest in the subject of poverty, Weir argues, seems to be stimulated by the challenge set forth by the ever growing socio-economic gap between the rich and the poor in the world today (1988-9:13; 1988-9:15). He also suggests that the necessary rethinking may well stem from new analyses by theologians from the developing nations (i e, Africa, Latin America and Asia), where the existence of a majority of the poor is a situation which needs to be addressed in real terms.

READ WOMEN IN POLICING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Table of contents: :

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Abstract
1 INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Statement of the problem
- 1.2 The interpreter’s social location in the scholarly interpretations of Old Testament poverty proverbs
- 1.3 Presuppositions with respect to the transformational possibilities of African proverbs
- 1.4 Methodological issues in the interpretation of biblical proverbs
  - 1.4.1 The structure of the thesis
- 1.5 Sources for the study
- 1.6 Scope and limitations of the project
- 1.7 Significance of the research for the problem of poverty in Africa today
- 1.8 Conclusion
2 A SURVEY OF WESTERN AND AFRICAN INTERPRETATIONS OF POVERTY PROVERBS IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Western interpretations and poverty proverbs in the Book of Proverbs
  - 2.2.1 The Ancient Near Eastern parallels
  - 2.2.2 The holistic nature of the worldview of ancient Israel
  - 2.2.3 A review of Western scholars’ interpretations of poverty
  - 2.2.4 Analysis of poverty alleviation-cum-eradication strategy
  - 2.2.5 Assessment of the Western interpretations of poverty
- 2.3 An analysis of African [biblical] scholarship and proverbs on poverty
- 2.4 Conclusion
3 POVERTY AND PROVERBS ON POVERTY IN THE AFRICAN CONTEXT
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Contemporary responses to the challenge of poverty in Africa
  - 3.2.1 A critical review of some political and economic initiatives in Africa
  - 3.2.2 Some African theological voices on poverty
    - a) Liberation hermeneutics
    - b) Women’s liberation hermeneutics
    - c) Reconstruction hermeneutics
3.3 Challenging poverty through returning to African values
- 3.3.1 The socio-economic structure of traditional African society
- 3.3.2 Notions of poverty in the traditional African context
- 3.3.3 The Concept of Ujamaa in Tanzania
3.4 African proverbs on poverty
- 3.4.1 Origins/social location/originators
- 3.4.2 Circulation
- 3.4.3 Influence on the people
3.5 The transformative nature of African proverbs on poverty
- 3.5.1 Orientation towards people
- 3.5.2 Religious orientation
- 3.5.3 Challenging the elitist status quo
3.6 The implications of the transformative nature of poverty proverbs for post-independent twenty-first century Africa
3.7 Conclusion

4 READING THE OLD TESTAMENT PROVERBS ON POVERT FROM AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 A cross-cultural comparison between the Old Testament and Africa
  - 4.2.1 Reasons for the Old Testament and traditional African proverbs
  - 4.2.2 Apparent social, cultural, economic and religious similarities
- 4.3 Reasons for the choice of particular Old Testament proverbs
- 4.4 An exegesis of relevant proverbs on the social environment and poverty: Proverbs 13:7, 13:18, 19:7, and 21:
- 4.5 An exegesis of relevant proverbs on the economic environment and poverty: Proverbs 13:23, 22:16, 23:10-11, and 28:
- 4.6 An exegesis of relevant proverbs concerning the political environment and poverty: Proverbs 22:7, 28:3, 28:15, and 29:
- 4.7 An exegesis of relevant proverbs regarding a religious environment and poverty: Proverbs 14:31, 17:5, 22:2, and 29:
- 4.8 Conclusion
5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 ‘Tying the knot’
- 5.3 The need to bring the Old Testament and Africa together
- 5.4 Implications for the teaching of the Old Testament in Africa today
- 5.5 Conclusion