Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading

A contextual reading of Proverbs 31:10–31 indicates that the periscope was and is still being used to judge women and their conduct, not only personally but also professionally. The placing of Proverbs within the wisdom genre, as well as considering the possible author(s) of the Book of Proverbs, gi...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ilze Jansen
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2020-03-01
Series:Verbum et Ecclesia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/1976
_version_ 1818247094551445504
author Ilze Jansen
author_facet Ilze Jansen
author_sort Ilze Jansen
collection DOAJ
description A contextual reading of Proverbs 31:10–31 indicates that the periscope was and is still being used to judge women and their conduct, not only personally but also professionally. The placing of Proverbs within the wisdom genre, as well as considering the possible author(s) of the Book of Proverbs, gives readers a better understanding of the community, culture and society in which it originated. Proverbs invites the reader to converse in what is truly meaningful in life. The purpose of the article is to render Proverbs 31:10–31 more accessible to its readers and to involve the reader within the context in which the pericope came to life. The woman in Proverbs 31:10–31 does not truly exist. The Wisdom Literature reflects her as an ideal paradigmatic figure. Women should be inspired by her qualities and values, as well as be encouraged to emulate these desirable attributes. The woman of Proverbs 31:10–31 should be viewed as a role model that other women can look up to. Women, especially in South Africa, represent diverse groups that include different races, class and cultures. This should not prevent women from working together to transform the lives of all women. Working together as a ‘sisterhood’ can assist women in reaching shared goals, instead of working against each other or against men. She is a personification of the woman, wisdom theology, encouraging what women should strive for. This woman portrays the way in which women should live while they are pursuing a relationship with God. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article brings theological discourse into discussion with gender studies, hermeneutic studies, dogmatic and ethical studies as well as practical theology. It also explores the relationship between the ‘noble woman’ of Proverbs 31:10–31 and the women of today. It impacts the Old Testament’s theological concepts of women, especially the ‘noble woman’ as praised in Proverbs 31:10–31.
first_indexed 2024-12-12T14:59:14Z
format Article
id doaj.art-1d8240630e4f46efa1c2679a54c3b596
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1609-9982
2074-7705
language Afrikaans
last_indexed 2024-12-12T14:59:14Z
publishDate 2020-03-01
publisher AOSIS
record_format Article
series Verbum et Ecclesia
spelling doaj.art-1d8240630e4f46efa1c2679a54c3b5962022-12-22T00:20:50ZafrAOSISVerbum et Ecclesia1609-99822074-77052020-03-01411e1e910.4102/ve.v41i1.19761548Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual readingIlze Jansen0Department of Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, PretoriaA contextual reading of Proverbs 31:10–31 indicates that the periscope was and is still being used to judge women and their conduct, not only personally but also professionally. The placing of Proverbs within the wisdom genre, as well as considering the possible author(s) of the Book of Proverbs, gives readers a better understanding of the community, culture and society in which it originated. Proverbs invites the reader to converse in what is truly meaningful in life. The purpose of the article is to render Proverbs 31:10–31 more accessible to its readers and to involve the reader within the context in which the pericope came to life. The woman in Proverbs 31:10–31 does not truly exist. The Wisdom Literature reflects her as an ideal paradigmatic figure. Women should be inspired by her qualities and values, as well as be encouraged to emulate these desirable attributes. The woman of Proverbs 31:10–31 should be viewed as a role model that other women can look up to. Women, especially in South Africa, represent diverse groups that include different races, class and cultures. This should not prevent women from working together to transform the lives of all women. Working together as a ‘sisterhood’ can assist women in reaching shared goals, instead of working against each other or against men. She is a personification of the woman, wisdom theology, encouraging what women should strive for. This woman portrays the way in which women should live while they are pursuing a relationship with God. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article brings theological discourse into discussion with gender studies, hermeneutic studies, dogmatic and ethical studies as well as practical theology. It also explores the relationship between the ‘noble woman’ of Proverbs 31:10–31 and the women of today. It impacts the Old Testament’s theological concepts of women, especially the ‘noble woman’ as praised in Proverbs 31:10–31.https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/1976proverbs 31:10–31feminismliberationnoblewoman
spellingShingle Ilze Jansen
Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading
Verbum et Ecclesia
proverbs 31:10–31
feminism
liberation
noble
woman
title Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading
title_full Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading
title_fullStr Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading
title_full_unstemmed Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading
title_short Proverbs 31:10–31: A contextual reading
title_sort proverbs 31 10 31 a contextual reading
topic proverbs 31:10–31
feminism
liberation
noble
woman
url https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/1976
work_keys_str_mv AT ilzejansen proverbs311031acontextualreading