460 Philippe Guillaume – Michael Schunck devoting an entire chapter to wisdom (Job 28), the possibility that YHWH may commit foolishness should be given some consideration. Whether Job 28 is at pains to put wisdom out of human reach or that wisdom is within human grasp through the fear of the Lord is disputable (12). That Elohim discerns the way of wisdom and knows its place is clear enough (Job 28,23). His privileged vantage-point certainly affords a panoramic view from which he counts wisdom, determines it and even probes it (13). But does this mean that YHWH is wise? Does it exclude the possibility that some of YHWH’s actions may not be entirely wise, that some of them may even be foolish? Proverbs 8,22 affirms that YHWH acquired or created (hnq) wisdom but Job 28 remains non-committal on the subject of YHWH’s relation to wisdom (14). YHWH and wisdom are kept separate. A deficit of wisdom within YHWH is not excluded. If wisdom is not a precious ore to be found and possessed but the result of creative activity, and if the moral habit of resisting evil is the way in which one comes to know wisdom (15), then Job 28 may be read as incriminating YHWH. Job has been turning away from evil ([rm rs) from verse one on (Job 1,1; 28,28), but the same cannot be about YHWH who let the satan mislead him. YHWH admit having succumbed to the satan’s incitement to swallow Job (w[lbl wb yntystw) and does not dispute the unfairness of the tribulations by adding that it was for nothing (µnj Job 2,3). YHWH’s words are addressed as a reproach to the satan but they nevertheless constitute a confession on the part of YHWH, an admission that giving a free hand to the satan was less than wise. YHWH does not dodge his responsibility for the disasters that befell Job. YHWH’s confession in the Epilogue that, had he punished the friends, he would have committed a foolish deed coheres fully with his initial confession in Job 2,3. YHWH is indeed capable of foolish deeds. Trying to cover up theopathism is exegetically foolish (16) since the (12) P.S. FIDDES, “Where shall Wisdom Be Found?”, After the Exile (eds J. BARTON – D.J. REIMER) (Macon, GA 1996) 171-190. D.J.A. CLINES, “‘The Fear of the Lord is Wisdom’ (Job 28:28). A Semantic and Contextual Study”, Job 28 (ed. E. VAN WOLDE) (Leiden 2003) 57-92. (13) P.J.P. VAN HECKE, “Searching for and Exploring Wisdom”, Job 28 (ed. VAN WOLDE), 139-162. (14) Pace N. HABEL, “The Implications of God Discovering Wisdom in Earth”, Job 28 (ed. VAN WOLDE), 293. (15) So C.A. NEWSOME, “Dialogue and Allegorical Hermeneutics”, Job 28 (ed. VAN WOLDE), 306-305. (16) POPE, Job, 291.