Continuing resources

In order to understand the role work played in ancient Israel, it is important to explore the work values that governed work life. As expected goals from work, work values provide clues to the degree of importance attached to work. Using literary tools and the sociological theory of work values, this paper examines three texts and affirmed the presence of the three work values (extrinsic, intrinsic, and social) in proverbs. The paper argues that the portrayal of work in Proverbs provides important insights into the socio-economic life and thoughts of ancient Israelites. It is hoped that the paper will open up discussion on the subject of work and work values in Proverbs and by extension, the Hebrew Bible.