Scribes, Sages, and Seers: The Sage in the Eastern Mediterranean World

In interpreting the wisdom literatures of the ancient Near East one question looms large. Who were the sages, scribes, and seers who composed this literature? Other issues emerge from this question and the variety of answers set forth. These include the locations of the wise in socio-political and religious institution in which they may have functioned. The thesis of this collection is that the sapiential literature of the ancient Near East views the sages, scribes, and seers as social grou...