Wise King, Royal Fool: Semiotics, Satire and Proverbs 1-9

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This study focuses on a reading of Proverbs 1-9 as satire via semiotics, which empowers a heightened, poetic sensitivity to multivalent textual signs. These include allusion to two points of critique against Solomon: (1) his political policy of socio-economic injustice and (2) his numerous sexual (in)discretions. That Solomon abandoned his divinely proscribed duty only evinces his lack of 'fear of Yahweh'. First, Solomon demonstrates his lack of discernment by an inability to rule with righteousness, justice and equity because of administrative policies that bled the innocent dry of their resources for his own self-aggrandizement. Second, Solomon's sexual behaviour reflects his need of Wisdom as the personification of eroticism. The absence of the 'fear of Yahweh' in Solomon prompts the poet's reproof in Proverbs 1-9 (itself a poetic torah) that he should resume his proper role of Torah meditation. How the 'son' responds to the decision posed to him remains decidedly open-ended, since satire generally offers no denouement to its plot. Nevertheless, the signs of this satiric poetry intimate the wise king as a royal fool. This is volume 399 in the Journal for the Study of the Old Tes

Reviews

Review ~ International Review of Biblical Studies, Vol 51, 2004/05

Author Bio

Johnny Miles received his doctorate in Religion with specialization in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible studies from Baylor University in May 2001. He is teaching at Texas Christian University as an Adjunct Instrutor