Vicarious suffering in Old Testament wisdom literature and the wisdom tradition : a traditio-historical approach

Abstract

Suffering in general and the suffering of the innocent in particular are issues that have bedeviled humanity from time immemorial. The Old Testament grapples with this problem in various ways. One of the ways finds expression in what has been called the concept of vicarious suffering. The pre-history and relationship of this concept with other concepts and traditions in the Old Testament have been studied and a variety of proposals have been made. This present work aimed at studying the relationship between the concept of vicarious suffering and Old Testament wisdom literature and traditions, from the perspective of the traditio-historical approach. Four hypotheses guided the study. The first was that the concept of vicarious suffering is present in the Old Testament. The second was that this concept is expressed in a unique way in Isa 52:13-53:12. The third was that the concept of vicarious suffering is an outcome of the reflection on the problem of the suffering of the innocent in the Old Testament. The fourth and last hypothesis stated that wisdom literature contributed to the origin, formulation and expression of the concept of vicarious suffering in Isa 52:13-53:12. The study determined that the idea of vicarious suffering is present in the Old Testament and is indeed expressed in a unique way in Isa 52:13-53:12. The study also determined that this concept is not only formulated and expressed through a considerable number of words and phrases found in Old Testament wisdom literature but also that the idea is informed by the concerns and assumptions found in Old Testament wisdom literature.In the light of this, the study ends by recommending openness to the sovereignty of God or the fear of the Lord, in the face of suffering of any kind.