This study is the first full analysis of the Qumran wisdom texts. New translations and a full explanation of the background and context of wisdom literature introduce the reader to an important and hitherto little discussed part of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
After surveying biblical and extrabiblical wisdom books, the author considers the best and most fully preserved wisdom texts from Qumran. The centrepiece of the book is a discussion of the large wisdom instruction known as Sapiential Work A. Also, the author reflects on the relevance of those texts for the study of early Judaism and Christianity. An appendix treats the Ben Sira scroll from Masada.

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Series editor's preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction to Wisdom at Qumran 2. Israel's Wisdom Tradition 3. Biblical Wisdom Texts and Targums 4. Wisdom in the Psalms Scroll from Cave 11 5. Folly and Wisdom in 4Q184-185 6. A Large Wisdom Instruction (Sapiential Work A) 7. Other Qumran Wisdom Instructions 8. Sectarian Wisdom 9. Wisdom Texts from Qumran and Early Judaism 10. Wisdom Texts from Qumran and Early Christianity Appendix: The Ben Sira Scroll from Masada Bibliography Indexes