The Tree of Life in Ancient Egypt and the Book of Proverbs

William R. Osborne

7 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Ancient Near Eastern Religions

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Biblical Studies and Interpretation Ancient Egypt and Archaeology Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies

Abstract

Since the mid-twentieth century, scholars have highlighted the similarities between the book of Proverbs and wisdom texts from ancient Egypt, the most recognized being “The Instruction of Amenemope” (ca. 1100 bce). Consequently, some have asserted that this relationship points toward a likely Egyptian provenance and origin of biblical concepts like the Tree of Life in Proverbs 3:17–18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4. Recognizing the undisputable contact with ancient Egypt, the present work argues through the method of comparative study that the Tree of Life in the book of Proverbs should not be interpreted with an ideological antecedent of a divine tree goddess in the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt.

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1962Models and Metaphors 1978Ancient Egyptian Literature: A Book of Readings 1998Gods, goddesses, and images of God in ancient Israel 1998The Book of Proverbs 1990The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature 2011Dancing for Hathor: women in ancient Egypt 1970Proverbs, a new approach 1993Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of songs

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