The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many wise sayings and instructions for living a godly life. Some of these proverbs have similarities to an ancient Egyptian wisdom text called the Instruction of Amenemope. This has led some scholars to propose that the author of Proverbs copied or borrowed some content from Amenemope.
The Instruction of Amenemope is an ancient Egyptian wisdom text that dates to around 1200-1000 BC. It contains 30 chapters of advice and observations about life, morality, and society. The text was well-known in ancient Egypt and the wider Near East. There are similarities in content and phraseology between Amenemope and chapters 22-24 of the book of Proverbs in the Bible.
Here are some examples of the similarities between Proverbs and Amenemope:
- Both speak about not moving boundary stones of a neighbor’s property (Prov 22:28, Amenemope 7)
- Both advise not to rob the poor because they are unable to defend themselves (Prov 22:22, Amenemope 4)
- Both describe dangerous situations – Proverbs mentions an angry man starting quarrels (Prov 29:22), while Amenemope warns against sitting with a hot-tempered man (Amenemope 11)
- There are parallel sayings about taking care of yourself before helping others (Prov 11:17, Amenemope 17)
However, while there are similarities, there are also significant differences between the texts:
- Amenemope is structured as a teaching from a vizier to his son, while Proverbs contains short, individual sayings
- Proverbs has a stronger focus on religious devotion to Yahweh, while Amenemope is more focused on practical wisdom for success in life
- Many topics and proverbs are unique to each book without parallel in the other
- Where there are similar sayings, the terminology and composition also differ between the texts
So did the author of Proverbs borrow from Amenemope? There are a few possibilities:
- The author of Proverbs independently composed sayings that happened to be similar to Egyptian wisdom.
- The author drew on a shared tradition of ancient Near Eastern wisdom that was circulating in the region.
- The author adapted and revised select portions of Amenemope to integrate them into Israelite wisdom.
Many scholars think the third option is most likely. The author of Proverbs, traditionally believed to be Solomon, was familiar with Egyptian wisdom writings and possibly incorporated Amenemope into his work. However, the teaching was adapted to fit the Israelite context and integrated alongside other sources of wisdom.
Several factors support the limited, adapted use of Amenemope in Proverbs:
- Only a small portion of Proverbs shows connection to Amenemope. The majority of Proverbs has no parallel in the Egyptian text.
- Where there are similarities, the proverbs in Proverbs are shorter, more concise sayings.
- Key theological differences indicate adaptations to the borrowings. Proverbs has a much stronger emphasis on Yahweh and righteous living.
So in summary, while parts of Proverbs show some dependence on Amenemope, the evidence does not support wholesale copying or direct literary borrowing. The connections are limited to a section of Proverbs, with evidence of revisions to integrate the Egyptian wisdom into an Israelite theological context. Proverbs shows basic dependence on Amenemope, but allows its wisdom to be transformed to communicate its distinctive message. This adaption of ancient Near Eastern wisdom sources was a common technique for biblical wisdom literature.
Detailed Analysis of Literary Parallels Between Proverbs and Amenemope
Looking closer at the parallels between the two texts reveals how the author of Proverbs selectively used and adapted certain passages from Amenemope. Here is a detailed comparison of some of the similar sections:
On Treatment of the Poor
Amenemope 4
Beware of robbing the poor, and oppressing the afflicted.
Stronger than the strong is the might of justice.
Proverbs 22:22-23
Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.
The instruction to not rob or oppress the poor occurs in both texts. But Proverbs adds theological motivation – the Lord Himself will advocate for the poor. This adapts the wisdom to the Israelite religious context centered around Yahweh.
On Societal Relationships
Amenemope 11
Do not eat bread in the presence of a noble, nor speak loudly in the presence of the great.
Proverbs 23:1-2
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
Both warn about proper behavior around those in power, but Amenemope focuses on external etiquette, while Proverbs adds an inward warning about greed and deception around the powerful. Once again, the biblical wisdom is adapted to emphasize motives and piety before God.
On Debt
Amenemope 9
Do not move the markers on the boundaries of the fields…
Proverbs 23:10
Do not move the ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless.
The sayings are nearly identical, but Proverbs adds “the fields of the fatherless” reminding Israel to care for the vulnerable in society. The adaption adds a layer of social justice absent from the Egyptian wisdom.
Additional examples could be analyzed in detail, consistently demonstrating how similarities are adapted with theological nuance. The compositional techniques include abbreviating longer sayings into concise proverbs, elevating motives and piety beyond outward action, and integrating social justice concerns of the Law. Together this reveals an intelligent strategy for integrating and reforming pagan sources for Hebrew wisdom literature.
Theological Consistency Between Proverbs and the Old Testament
It’s also important to note that the theological worldview within the book of Proverbs aligns with the overall theology of the Old Testament. The adapted portions borrowed from Amenemope seamlessly integrate with the Israelite perspective of wisdom rooted in serving Yahweh:
- Proverbs depicts the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7)
- It views Wisdom as an attribute of God used in creation (Prov 3:19-20)
- The wise man is righteous, just, and pleasing to God (Prov 10:1-32)
- Wisdom comes from God andfollowing it leads to life (Prov 2:6; 3:18)
This theological consistency indicates the author was skillful in adapting selected Egyptian proverbs to maintain coherence with Israel’s theological traditions. The adapted material from Amenemope is subordinated to the dominant theology of biblical wisdom rooted in honoring Yahweh.
Differing Literary Structures and Genres
Another notable difference between Proverbs and Amenemope is their literary structure and genres. Amenemope uses a single fictional wise man speaking extended discourses to his son. It is a unitary literary work. Proverbs, in contrast, contains many short, individual proverbs from different authors composed over time. It is an anthology of wisdom sayings, poems, and instructions rather than one cohesive teaching.
Additionally, Proverbs incorporates other literary devices like the personification of wisdom, numerical sayings, enigmas, and allegories. These diverse literary and rhetorical techniques set Proverbs apart as an innovative work of Hebrew wisdom literature, rather than merely copying Egyptian predecessors.
The wide array of literary and poetic styles indicates the author skillfully wove together traditional Israelite wisdom with adapted material from other sources like Amenemope. The unified anthology of Proverbs has a distinctive literary flavor that is discernably Hebrew rather than Egyptian.
Shared Wisdom Traditions in the Ancient Near East
In addition to direct literary borrowing, another factor that explains similarities between Proverbs and texts like Amenemope is simply shared cultural milieu. The world of the ancient Near East exhibited common wisdom themes and sayings that were part of the intellectual atmosphere of the time. The cultures interacted and traded ideas, with concepts circulating in a broader wisdom tradition.
For example, here are some parallel themes we see in both Proverbs and other Near Eastern wisdom literature:
- Teachings and advice from a father to a son
- Emphasis on justice, honesty, moderation and other virtues
- Practical counsel about relationships, work, and success
- Elevating the wise and denigrating fools
Such shared themes were common cultural ideas and literary techniques in the ancient world. This partly explains overlap in wisdom content and topics. Since Israel was part of this cultural milieu, some common language and imagery naturally overlapped with Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom. This broader shared tradition was incorporated and adapted by Israelite sages.
Implications of Dependence on Amenemope for Biblical Inspiration
The compositional strategy seen in Proverbs raises important questions about biblical inspiration. If an Old Testament book relies on an Egyptian wisdom text, what does this mean for its authority as God’s word? Here are several factors to consider:
- Limited, adapted material does not compromise inspiration. The key theological sections of Proverbs are unique revelations to Israel.
- Appropriating truth from common grace aligns with a sovereign God’s prerogative. All truth is God’s truth.
- God meets authors within their cultural setting. This allows him to communicate transcendent truths within the author’s conceptual framework.
- Adapting ancient Near Eastern wisdom fits the rhetorical purpose of Proverbs. The practical life advice is contextually packaged for its audience.
- New Testament affirmation of the inspiration of Proverbs (Rom 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16) applies regardless of literary sources.
In the end, the adapted material in Proverbs is a small percentage of its content. And it complements the main theological thrust of the book. The Holy Spirit guided and guarded the process so that Proverbs authoritatively teaches truth about God, wisdom, and living prudently. Any literary borrowing from Amenemope was circumscribed within these revelatory purposes of divine inspiration.
Summary of Key Points
- There are notable similarities between portions of Proverbs and the Egyptian wisdom text Amenemope.
- The parallels include certain proverbs, phrases, and moral teachings in Proverbs 22-24.
- However, there are also differences in theology and composition that indicate adaptation rather than direct copying.
- The author of Proverbs was familiar with Near Eastern wisdom and incorporated limited selections from texts like Amenemope.
- The borrowed material was revised to integrate it within an Israelite theological framework centered on Yahweh and biblical wisdom.
- Proverbs shows literary dependence on Amenemope, but allows its wisdom to be transformed in keeping with biblical revelation.
- Adapting and reforming pagan sources was an intentional technique of Hebrew wisdom literature evident throughout the Old Testament.
So in summary, the compositional method in Proverbs reveals the human dimension of Scripture. Yet at the same time, the fingerprints of divine inspiration are evident. Any literary borrowing from Amenemope was undertaken in service of revealing God’s authoritative wisdom for living. Through the process of inspiration, Scripture affirms eternal truths while accommodating to literary forms and sources common in ancient Near Eastern culture.