本文首先勾畫出智慧在古以色列與早期猶太教中的概念、性質與歷史。接著根據語言的特徵與內容，提出辨識舊約中智慧的類型與文學的準則。在第三部份，呈現舊約與早期猶太教智慧書卷篩選的文學史概覽。本文最後就舊約智慧文學提出一些簡短的神學意義的反省來作結。

This article first outlines the concept, nature and history of wisdom in ancient Israel and early Judaism. It then presents criteria for identifying wisdom genres and texts in the Old Testament based on their linguistic character and content. Following this, it offers an extensive overview of the literary history of selected wisdom books of the Old Testament and early Judaism. The essay concludes with some brief reflections on the theological significance of Old Testament wisdom.