This midrash is different from all the otheraggadic midrashim,in that its interpretations approach the simple exegesis then in vogue, being brief and free from the prolixity found in the other midrashim, so that this work is in the form of a commentary rather than in that of a midrash. The interpretations follow immediately upon the words of the text, without the introductory formulas found in the other midrashim, "as Scripture says," or "Rabbi N. N. began" (the latter formula, however, occurs at the beginning of the midrash). The editor of the midrash drew upon theMishnah,Tosefta,Mekhilta,Sifre,Pesikta de-Rav Kahana,Avot de-Rabbi Natan,Bereshit Rabbah,Vayikra Rabbah,Ecclesiastes Rabbah,Canticles Rabbah,and theBabylonian Talmud.But he does not seem to have known anything about theJerusalem Talmud,since he does not quote from it. The editor was therefore probably aBabylonian 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 ofYalkut Shimoniused 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.Zunzholds[5]dates it to the mid-11th century; but this is dubious inasmuch as it is mentioned by name byHananeelandNathan,both of whom lived in the early 11th century. Buber thinks that the midrash was compiled as early as the 8th century, since quotations from it are found (though without references to the source) at the end of theHalakot Gedolotand in theSeder R. Amram12b. Although the midrash contains comparatively few legends, myths, or parables, it has many interesting teachings with no parallel in other midrashim. For instance, the four riddles which theQueen of Shebapropounded toKing Solomon[6]are found in no other extant midrash, but they correspond to the first four of the nineteen riddles mentioned in the manuscriptMidrash ha-Ḥefez.[7]
Aside from the manuscripts of Midrash Mishlei mentioned byS. Buber,[8]there is one in theJTSlibrary.[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 byAugust Wünsche.[14]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Singer, Isidore;et al., eds. (1901–1906)."Proverbs, Midrash to".The Jewish Encyclopedia.New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
