It is first mentioned under the title "Midrash Mishlei" by
Nathan of Rome called it "Aggadat Mishlei".[2] In addition, it was erroneously called "Shocher Tov",[3] a name which properly refers to Midrash Tehillim
.
Content
This midrash is different from all the other
Babylonian Jew
, although this cannot be definitely decided.
The midrash has not been fully preserved; for there are no comments on several chapters (3, 7, 18), and other chapters have only partial comments. The editor of Yalkut Shimoni used some portions of this midrash which are now missing, although it may be assumed that not all the teachings which he attributed to this midrash were really a part of the Midrash Mishlei which he had at hand.[4]
The exact time of composition cannot be determined.
Aside from the manuscripts of Midrash Mishlei mentioned by
S. Buber,[8] there is one in the JTS library.[9] This manuscript, which includes only chapters 1-15, corresponds in many passages with the Constantinople edition. In 14:34[10] it has "Metatron" instead of "Michael," as in the printed editions. If this reading is the original one, it would confirm the assumption that the editor was a Babylonian, since the name "Metatron" occurs only a few times in the sources from Israel, the name "Michael" being found instead.[11]
The first edition was issued at Constantinople without date; the second, at Venice in 1547. Apart from these two, eight other editions have been issued.[12] The latest and best edition in 1900 was that by Buber,[13] with an introduction and notes. Midrash Mishle has been translated into German by August Wünsche.[14]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Proverbs, Midrash to". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
