Abstract
The uniqueness of the Book of Proverbs among other wisdom books is incontestable because it uses הוהי as the name of God. Its regular use of the name means that the Book is concerned about God’s monotheism. The mention of that proper name (הוהי) 94 times and the generic name םיהלא only twice (this generic name still refers to הוהי), emphasises the concept of monotheism. Monotheism in ancient Israel is not the denial of the existence of other gods, but the exclusive worship of Yahweh as the only one true God. The origin and the meaning of Yahweh although debatable, the majority of scholars believe that it is Exodus 3:13–15. The definition of proverbs although debatable, they can be defined as a traditional saying that gives advice and instruction. It is ‘a relic of ageless tradition’ that contains a pithy structure. Generally, scholars believe that Yoruba religious tradition also holds the fact that Yahweh is monotheistic by the name given to him (Olodumare). Unfortunately, the Yoruba translation of the Hebrew word יהוה is Oluwa instead of Olodumare.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This makes the Yoruba readers of the Book of Proverbs miss this monotheistic context. Can the retranslation of the Book of Proverbs make the monotheism of God in Yoruba be clearer? This article, therefore, emphasises the need for a retranslation of the present translation of the Book of Proverbs in Yoruba. This article will be an eye opener for some readers who are not sure of the concept of monotheism in the Book of Proverbs and in Yoruba religious tradition.
Highlights
King Solomon was regarded as the author of the Book of Proverbs because his name is mentioned in Proverbs 1:1, 10:1; 25:1; and I Kings 3:28
This article discusses the meaning of the monotheism of God in the Book Proverbs and Yoruba Indigenous Religion
It argues that Proverbs proclaims monotheism by using very frequently the personal divine name .יהוהIn other words, the Book is monotheistic in nature and theology
Summary
King Solomon was regarded as the author of the Book of Proverbs because his name is mentioned in Proverbs 1:1, 10:1; 25:1; and I Kings 3:28. It might be better to consider the Book as originally short collections ( some are long Pr 31:10–31) to summarise the basic values of Israelite society so that they can be remembered (Matthews & Moyer 2012:239). These sayings are not unique to ancient Israel because most of their wisdom is borrowed and recycled from their Near Eastern neighbours. The uniqueness of Proverbs among other wisdom books is incontestable because it uses יהוהas the name of God. Remarkably, Proverbs mentioned יהוהabout 94 times as its primary way of referring to God (Bostrom 1990:33; Lucas 2015:246)
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