Did God Communicate in the Style of the Ancient Near Eastern Writings? Why?

Arguably one of the most significant truths about Scripture that is used to both prove and disprove its legitimacy is its resemblance to other Ancient Near Eastern texts. This should not be a surprising fact since “[a]rchaeologists have uncovered ancient writings from a number of cultures in the vicinity of Israel that have an uncanny similarity in form and content to the books of the Old Testament” (Longman 61). While there are similarities, many differences find themselves amidst the texts as well. However, these differences should not distract from the importance of the resemblances of the Bible and Ancient Near Eastern texts. These similarities can help believers to better know the context of biblical passages. God was also able to more clearly communicate His message(s) to His people. “After all, the Old Testament consciously places its wisdom literature squarely in the context of the wisdom literature of the ancient Near East” (Longman 61). Comparison of King Solomon’s wisdom and that of the Ancient Near East can be observed in 1 Kings 4:29–31 which states: “Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations” (NASB). As believers comparatively study Ancient Near Eastern texts and Scripture, they will better know how God was seeking to communicate to Scripture’s original audience.

One of the first ways that comparative study is beneficial to more clearly understanding Scripture is the added insight(s) into the culture of ancient Israel. This is especially evident in the category of wisdom literature. “Both the instructions of Egypt and the proverbs of Mesopotamia stand as further examples of the idea that wisdom compilations were used widely in the ancient world as a means of offering principles that could serve as guides for a living. These principles are in effect mandated in the pursuit of wisdom if order is to be maintained in society” (Walton 279). Both Israelite and Ancient Near Eastern culture’s use of wisdom writings served similar purposes. Amenemope is one example of various lists of wisdom writings that are compiled to accomplish a similar task as the book of Proverbs does. Proverbs 1:1–7 states:

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,

To discern the sayings of understanding,

To receive instruction in wise behavior,

Righteousness, justice and equity;

To give prudence to the naive,

To the youth knowledge and discretion,

A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

To understand a proverb and a figure,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The opening for Proverbs has a clear purpose that readers can easily identify. Amenemope has a parallel introduction:

Beginning of the teaching for life,

The instructions for well-being,

Every rule for relations with elders,

For conduct toward magistrates;

Knowing how to answer one. Who speaks,

To reply to one who sends a message.

So as to direct him on the paths of life,

To make him prosper upon earth;

To let his heart enter its shrine,

Steering clear of evil;

To save him from the mouth of strangers,

To let (him) be praised in the mouth of people.

Made by the overseer of fields, experienced in his office, . . . (Hallo and Younger 116).

These examples help bring readers’ attention to the significance of wisdom in Israel and the Ancient Near East. The differences help readers to see what was prioritized in each culture. In Israel, everything was understood in context to one’s relationship with YHWH. In Babylon, the goal was to “[k]now your proper place within your clan and family, and honor the traditions” (Walton 290). The emphasis of each culture stands as one of the biggest contrasts of their writings. This is why believers can trust that Scripture is not simply an ancient text that holds no significance today.

While the motivation (which is one of the biggest differences between the two) behind each text is vital to understand, the similarities help readers to know what God was seeking to communicate. The first step in biblical interpretation is understanding the text in the context of the original audience. Duvall and Hays do this by asking the question: “What did the text mean to the biblical audience” (42)? Understanding comes through comparative study of Israelite and Ancient Near Eastern texts because God used language that was known to mankind. Psalm 119:129–130 says:

Your testimonies are wonderful;

Therefore my soul observes them.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.

God used language that was understood by the original audience so they could understand and live by His precepts. Otherwise, YHWH would become just another of the Ancient Near Eastern deities that was difficult to follow since one could not know their will(s). YHWH was creative and ordered with creation and clearly communicated His expectations of those who dwell within it.

This is why it is vital for believers to understand what the biblical text meant to its original audience. If this task is not accomplished accurately (or at all) readers will misinterpret the meaning of the text. This becomes even more troubling since misinterpretation leads to a bad application of the text. The similarities of Israelite and Ancient Near Eastern text help bring attention to how certain genres of text are to be studied, and the differences show the superiority of YHWH over all other gods. If believers seek to better understand Scripture, they must realize the importance of comparative study of the Bible and Ancient Near Eastern texts. “[T]he proper approach is to examine ANE culture and Israelite culture and seek to discern the ways in which features of ANE life and culture shed light on Israelite culture (in light of differences and similarities)” (Merrill et al. 65). While it is not a difficult task, understanding Israelite culture in light of Ancient Near Eastern culture is part of scriptural interpretation that is necessary to accurately apply Scripture to one’s life. 

Works Cited

Duvall, J. Scott, et al. Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 3rd ed., Zondervan, 2012.

Hallo, William W., and K. Lawson Younger. The Context of Scripture. 3 vols. Brill, 2003.

Longman, Tremper III. How to Read Proverbs. IVP, 2002.

Merrill, Eugene H., et al. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament. B&H, 2011.

NASB. New American Standard Version. The Holy Bible. Lockman, 2013.

Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Background Thought and the Old Testament. 2nd ed., Baker Academic, 2018.

This article was originally written for Assignment 7-2 of Ancient Near Eastern Background taught by Professor Greg Stephens (Moody Distance Learning)