Includes bibliographical references (p. 277-288) and indexes.

Preface to the first edition -- Preface to the revised edition -- Preface to the third edition -- Abbreviations -- Introduction: On defining wisdom -- The world of wisdom -- The sapiential tradition -- The pursuit of knowledge : Proverbs -- The search for divine presence : Job -- The chasing after meaning : Ecclesiastes -- The quest for survival : Sirach -- The widening hunt : wisdom of Solomon, Psalms with affinities to wisdom, and beyond -- The reciprocating touch : knowledge of God -- Wisdom's legacy -- Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature -- Conclusion -- Bibliography (selected and annotated) -- Index of ancient sources -- Index of authors -- Index of Hebrew and Greek words -- Index of subjects.