Building with Wisdom: Conceptual Metaphors for House Building in Proverbs 3

Abstract

How does Proverbs 3:19–20 function in the context of chapter 3? To answer this question, I utilize cognitive linguistics and conceptual metaphor theory to analyze both ANE sources and the Hebrew Bible. I conclude that in Prov 3, the conceptual frame of Royal House Building is mapped onto Divine House Building, then Divine House Building becomes the source frame that is mapped back onto Righteous Living. Through the presence of wisdom, the Building of a Righteous Life is reconceptualized as building sacred space. This series of metaphoric mappings produces the metaphor that BUILDING A RIGHTEOUS LIFE IS DIVINE HOUSE BUILDING. The mapping brings with it the whole conceptual world of sacred space as the fountainhead of favor, protection, prosperity, enduring life, access to the divine, etc.