2010-02-222010-02-222002Potgieter, JH 2002. 'The (poetic) rhetoric of wisdom in Proverbs 3:1-12', HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 1357-1374.[http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/issue/archive]0259-9422 (print)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/13140Proverbs 3:1-12 is a masterful example of Hebrew poetry. Failure to consider its poetic structure, is likely to result in incomplete and even incorrect interpretation. Many recent commentaries on Proverbs recognize the poetic character of the book, and even include a section on the poetic techniques present in the book, but ignore the relevance of these techniques as far as the interpretation of the individual poems and the book in general are concerned. This article argues that a comprehensive analysis of poetic features enhances the exegete’s ability to appreciate the rhetoric of wisdom. An intratextual approach towards Proverbs 3:1-12 provides a framework for the complete interpretation of the text.enFaculty of Theology, University of PretoriaProverbs 3Bible -- O.T. -- Proverbs III, 1-12 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.Wisdom -- Religious aspectsRhetoric in the BibleHebrew poetry, BiblicalWisdom literatureArticle