Proverbs NOT found in the Bible

By | May 1, 2009

“The man who does not sacrifice to his god can make the god run after him like a dog.” (Dialogue of Pessimism)

“Who is wealthy? Who is rich? For whom shall I reserve my intimacy?” (Mesopotamian proverb)

“When you have seen for yourself the profit of reverencing god, You will praise god and bless the king.” (Mesopotamian proverb)

“Do the wish of the one present, Slander the one not present.” (Mesopotamian proverb)

“Do not open your heart to your wife; what you have said to her goes into the street.” (Egyptian proverb)

“Let your wife see your wealth, do not trust her with it.” (Egyptian proverb)

All of these are taken from John H. Walton, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament, page 309, note 51.  The footnote is made in the context of the statement that most proverbs in the Ancient Near East would fit well within the Bible and vice versa.  These are some exceptions.

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