This course introduces the student to the ancient pursuit of wisdom, both in Israel and among her neighbors, and the genre, content, and social context of the wisdom writings. The course examines both Old Testament wisdom books and wisdom writings produced in the period between the Testaments. Particular attention is given to themes that run throughout the wisdom tradition and the ways these themes develop and change in successive wisdom writings. The course also considers the ways wisdom writings helped shape the New Testament and continue to influence the church today.