Scribal Change and Strategic Sequencing in the Hebrew Source of G Proverbs

Joseph L. Justiss examines the variant sequences of large text-blocks as found in the ancient Greek version of Proverbs (G Proverbs) and the Masoretic version of Proverbs (M Proverbs) to determine whether G's translator or G's source is the cause of the variant orders. Additionally, he examines how the different sequencing impacts the interpretation of the juxtaposed units. The author proceeds from a diachronic to a synchronic analysis of these units. Diachronically, textual and editorial criticism shed light on scribal changes at the edges and sometimes within juxtaposed units. Synchronically, topic analysis, dialogic analysis, and literary analysis reveal scribal motivations and compositional strategies inspiring the sequencing of units. Drawing on the main results of his study, Joseph L. Justiss argues that a variant Hebrew recension caused G's variant sequences and that the scribe of G's source expanded texts to emphasize wise speech and reverence in the presence of high authorities.

Introduction
Chapter 1. Review of Literature
1. 18th- and 19th-Century Monographs on G Proverbs
2. 20th-Century Monograph on G Proverbs
3. 21st Century Monographs on G Proverbs
4. Summary and Conclusion
Chapter 2. Methodologies Employed
1. Diachronic Methodologies
2. Synchronic Methodologies
3. Conclusions
Chapter 3. A Diachronic Analysis of G's Source in Proverbs 24:21-22 and 30:1-6 65
1. Delimiting the Passages for Diachronic Analysis
2. Reconstructing G's Source in 24:21-22
3. Reconstructing G's Plus in Proverbs 24:22[a-e]: Translational or Recensional?
4. Reconstructing G's Source in Proverbs 30:1-6
5. Evidence of Textual Divination in the Plus at Proverbs 24:22[a-e]
6. A Tentative Retroversion of the Plus
7. The Reconstructed Form of G's Hebrew Source in Proverbs 24:21-30:6
8. Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 4. A Synchronic Analysis of G's Sequencing of 24:21-22[e] with 30:1-6
1. Topic Analysis
2. Dialogic Analysis
3. Interpretive Effects of the Corroborating Dialogue
4. Interpretive Effects of the Question-and-Answer Dialogue
5. Interpretive Effects of the Šonim and Knowledge-Language from 24:21-22[e] and 30:1-6 on 24:1-6
6. Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 5. A Diachronic Analysis of G's Source in Proverbs 29:22-27 and 31:10-31
1. Delimiting the Passages for Diachronic Analysis
2. Establishing The OG of Proverbs 29:22-27
3. Reconstructing the Hebrew Source of G Proverbs 29:22-27
4. Establishing the OG of Proverbs 31:10-31
5. Reconstructing the Hebrew Source of G Proverbs 31:10-31
6. Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 6. A Synchronic Analysis of G's Sequencing of Proverbs 29:22-27 with 31:10-31
1. Topic Analysis
2. Dialogic Analysis
3. Interpretive Effects of the Corroborating Foil Juxtaposition
4. Interpretive Effect of the Chapter 3 and 31 Linkage
5. Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 7. Summary and Conclusion
1. The Research Problem
2. Reflections on Key Results
3. Recommendations for Further Research
4. Contributions to the Field
5. Summary and Conclusion