本文試圖以精簡的篇幅，評介古代希伯來文化中智慧傳統的源起、發展、圓成與特徵。「智慧」本是上古近東文化普遍的處世哲學，相當程度的影響彼時人的實際生活。古代希伯來人分享此一文化特質，但是因其特殊的歷史經驗與宗教信仰，遂由此發展出獨特的「智慧傳統」。本文的討論從早期希伯來的俗世智慧伊始，追述而下，依序介紹神學化的智慧、民族主義化的智慧、擬人化的智慧、天啟的智慧、拉比的智慧等六大演進階段。在時間上，上下涵蓋千年之久。在主題上，卻圍繞猶太人的歷史遭遇、民族身份、土地認同、經典詮釋、耶和華信仰等五大重心。在承傳上，則強調由智者族群塑造建構而成。 本文大量引用猶太傳統中的「智慧文學」為材料，輔以各歷史階段中其他文化或民族的類似作品以為比較，藉此突顯希伯來的智慧與外在大環境的互動關係，並顯示「智慧」在宗教思想上的重要性。

The article is a critical introduction to the origins, developments, formation, and characteristics of the wisdom tradition in Judaism. "Wisdom" as a world view that guides people's practical life was rather popular in the world of ancient Near East. The Hebrews shared this concept, and, based upon it, they developed a unique wisdom tradition thanks to their unusual historical experiences and religious beliefs. The article thus begins the discussion of this subject from its inceptive stage, traces its various manifestations in the Second Temple Period, and ends with the rise of Rabbinic Judaism. Important themes emphasized in this process of wisdom formation include the Jews' historical encounters, nationalist sentiment, identification with the holy land, interpretation of the Torah, faith in Yahweh, and last but by no means the least, the prominent role of the wise or the sages. This article makes an extensive use of Jewish wisdom literature. For comparative purposes, it also draws on literary works of parallel nature produced by different cultural traditions and in different historical stages. Its major aim is to illustrate the mutual interactions between the Jewish wisdom tradition and the context in which it was shaped, as well as to highlight the importance of "wisdom" in the history of religious ideas.

宗教史; 近東; 猶太教; 智慧

History of Religions; Near East; Judaism; Wisdom