Some Notes on the Early Reception of the Book of Proverbs

This paper discusses the early reception of the Book of Proverbs as reflected in these three areas: the different headings of the seven collections of sayings in the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX), their different understanding of the first seven verses of the book (Prv 1,1-7) and several passages on the power of speech (Prv 18,20-21; 10,11; 10,21). The paper also presents an illustration in the late mediaeval Bible historiale that reflects the understanding of Solomon's figure during this period.