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Proverbs

A proverb is a pithy sentence, concisely expressing some well-established truth susceptible of various illustrations and applications. The word is of Latin derivation, literally meaning for a word, speech, or discourse; that is, one expression for many. The Hebrew word for "proverb" (mashal) means a "comparison." Many suppose it was used, because the form or matter of the proverb, or both, involved the idea of comparison. Most of the proverbs are in couplets or triplets, or some modifications of them, the members of which correspond in structure and length, as if arranged to be compared one with another. They illustrate the varieties of parallelism, a distinguishing feature of Hebrew poetry. Compare Introduction to Poetical Books. Many also clearly involve the idea of comparison in the sentiments expressed (compare Pr 12:1-10 25:10-15 26:1-9). Sometimes, however, the designed omission of one member of the comparison, exercising the reader's sagacity or study for its supply, presents the proverb as a "riddle" or "dark saying" (compare Pr 30:15-33 1:6 Ps 49:4). The sententious form of expression, which thus became a marked feature of the proverbial style, was also adopted for continuous discourse, even when not always preserving traces of comparison, either in form or matter (compare Pr 1:1-9:18). In Eze 17:1 24:3, we find the same word properly translated "parable," to designate an illustrative discourse. Then the Greek translators have used a word, parabola ("parable"), which the gospel writers (except John) employ for our Lord's discourses of the same character, and which also seems to involve the idea of comparison, though that may not be its primary meaning. It might seem, therefore, that the proverbial and parabolic styles of writing were originally and essentially the same. The proverb is a "concentrated parable, and the parable an extension of the proverb by a full illustration." The proverb is thus the moral or theme of a parable, which sometimes precedes it, as in Mt 19:30 (compare Pr 20:1); or succeeds it, as in Mt 22:1-16 Lu 15:1-10. The style being poetical, and adapted to the expression of a high order of poetical sentiment, such as prophecy, we find the same term used to designate such compositions (compare Nu 23:7 Mic 2:4 Hab 2:6).

      Though the Hebrews used the same term for proverb and parable, the Greek employs two, though the sacred writers have not always appeared to recognize a distinction. The term for proverb is, paroimia, which the Greek translators employ for the title of this book, evidently with special reference to the later definition of a proverb, as a trite, sententious form of speech, which appears to be the best meaning of the term. John uses the same term to designate our Saviour's instructions, in view of their characteristic obscurity (compare Pr 16:25-29, Greek), and even for his illustrative discourses (Pr 10:6), whose sense was not at once obvious to all his hearers. This form of instruction was well adapted to aid the learner. The parallel structure of sentences, the repetition, contrast, or comparison of thought, were all calculated to facilitate the efforts of memory; and precepts of practical wisdom which, extended into logical discourses, might have failed to make abiding impressions by reason of their length or complicated character, were thus compressed into pithy, and, for the most part, very plain statements. Such a mode of instruction has distinguished the written or traditional literature of all nations, and was, and still is, peculiarly current in the East.

      In this book, however, we are supplied with a proverbial wisdom commended by the seal of divine inspiration. God has condescended to become our teacher on the practical affairs belonging to all the relations of life. He has adapted His instruction to the plain and unlettered, and presented, in this striking and impressive method, the great principles of duty to Him and to our fellow men. To the prime motive of all right conduct, the fear of God, are added all lawful and subordinate incentives, such as honor, interest, love, fear, and natural affection. Besides the terror excited by an apprehension of God's justly provoked judgments, we are warned against evil-doing by the exhibition of the inevitable temporal results of impiety, injustice, profligacy, idleness, laziness, indolence, drunkenness, and debauchery. To the rewards of true piety which follow in eternity, are promised the peace, security, love, and approbation of the good, and the comforts of a clear conscience, which render this life truly happy.

Proverbs

              AN OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS2
                                
                                
I.   An Introduction to the Book of Proverbs: 1:1-7
     A.   The Author--Solomon: 1:1
          1.   Solomon: 1:1a
          2.   Son of David: 1:1b
          3.   King of Israel: 1:1c
     B.   The Purposes of Proverbs: 1:2-6
          1.   Summary Statement: 1:2
               a.   Moral--To Bring Skill and Corrective
                    Instruction: 1:2a
               b.   Mental--To Discern Sayings of Understanding:
                    1:2b
          2.   Expanded Statements: 1:3-6
               a.   To Receive: 1:3
                    1)   Discipline
                    2)   Righteousness
                    3)   Judgment
                    4)   Equity
               b.   To Give: 1:4
                    1)   Prudence to the naive:
                    2)   Knowledge and Discretion to Young Ones:
               c.   To Increase: 1:5
                    1)   In Learning
                    2)   In Wise Counsel
               d.   To Understand: 1:6
                    1)   A Proverb
                    2)   A Figure
                    3)   Sayings of the Wise
                    4)   Riddles of the Wise
     C.   The Principle of Proverbs: Fearing the Lord is the
          first step of learning 1:7
          1.   The Foundation of Knowledge: Fearing God is the
               foundation of knowledge  1:7a
          2.   The Rejection of Wisdom: The rejection of wisdom
               is folly  1:7b
II.  The First Collection of Solomonic Proverbs--A Father's
     Reflective Admonitions on Wisdom for His Son:3 1:8--9:18
     A.   An Appeal to Heed Wisdom: 1:8-9
     B.   Lesson One: A father urges his son not to yield to the
          invitation of robbers and murderers, and not to reject
          the invitation of wisdom: 1:10-33
          1.   Evil Invitations: Refuse Evil Invitations: 1:10-19
               a.   The Admonition: 1:10
               b.   The Enticement: 1:11-14
               c.   The Results: 1:15-19
          2.   Wisdom's Invitation: Do Not Refuse the Invitation
               of Wisdom: 1:20-33
               a.   Wisdom's Invitation: 1:20-23
               b.   The Rejection of Wisdom: 1:24-30
               c.   The Results of Wisdom: 1:31-33
     C.   Lesson Two: A Father urges his son to receive his
          sayings on wisdom resulting in protection through
          discernment: 2:1-22
          1.   The Exhortations to Wisdom: 2:1-4
          2.   The Results of Wisdom--Protection through
               Discernment: 2:5-22
     D.   Lesson Three: A Father urges his son to trust and honor
          God: 3:1-10
     E.   Lesson Four: A Father urges his son to understand that
          wisdom will bring him blessing  3:11-20
          1.   Blessing through Discipline: 3:11-12
          2.   Blessings Enumerated: 3:13-18
     F.   Lesson Five: A Father urges his son to be wise in his
          relationships with others  3:21-35
          1.   An Exhortation to Keep Wisdom: 3:21-26
          2.   An Exhortation to Be Wise in Relationships: 3:27-
               35
     G.   An Interlude on Wisdom:4 A Father urges his sons to
          acquire wisdom as their highest priority because it has
          proved itself to be good  4:1-9
          1.   A Father's Exhortation to pay attention to Wisdom:
               4:1-2
          2.   A Father's Experience of the Good of Wisdom: 4:3-4
          3.   A Father's Encouragement to acquire, love and
               prize wisdom: 4:5-9
     H.   Lesson Six: A father urges his son to follow the right
          path of uprightness and to avoid the wrong path of the
          wicked: 4:10-19
          1.   Reminder of Past Guidance--The Right Path: 4:10-12
          2.   Reminder to Stay on the Right Path: 4:13-19
               a.   Keep Instruction: 4:13
               b.   Avoid the Path of the Wicked: 4:14-17
               c.   Follow the Path of the Righteous: 4:18-19
     I.   Lesson Seven: A father urges his son to discipline
          himself by watching his motives and actions: 4:20-27
          1.   An Exhortation to Heed the Father's Words for Life
               and Health: 4:20-22
          2.   An Exhortation to Guard Motives and Actions:  4:23-
               27
               a.   Guard Your Heart: 4:23
               b.   Guard Your Mouth: 4:24
               c.   Guard Your Eyes: 4:25
               d.   Guard Your Feet: 4:26-27
     J.   Lesson Eight: A father warns his son about the
          temptations and costs of sexual immorality with the
          adulteress  5:1-14
          1.   First Exhortation--Heed Wisdom, the Adulteress is
               Destructive: 5:1-6
          2.   Second Exhortation--Heed Wisdom, the Consequences
               are Destructive: 5:7-14
     K.   Lesson Nine: A father urges his son to enjoy his wife
          because of the consequences of doing evil: 5:15-23
          1.   Exhortation: 5:15-19
          2.   Reasons: 5:20-23
     L.   Lesson Ten: A father urges his son to avoid the company
          of evil people like strangers in debt, sluggards, and
          worthless people  6:1-19
          1.   The Stranger in Debt: 6:1-5
          2.   The Sluggard: 6:6-11
          3.   The Worthless Person: 6:12-19
     M.   Lesson Eleven: A father urges his son to avoid the
          adulteress  6:20-35
          1.   Exhortation to Heed Parents' Teachings: 6:20-21
          2.   Reason--Blessings and Protection from the Evil
               Woman: 6:22-35
               a.   Blessings: 6:22-23a
               b.   Protection: 6:23b-35
     N.   Lesson Twelve: A father urges his son to avoid the
          adulteress and to follow wisdom: 7:1--8:36
          1.   Avoid the Adulteress: A father urges His son to
               avoid the seductive adulteress: 7:1-27
               a.   Exhortation--Heed Your Parents' Words to
                    Identify with Wisdom to Keep from the
                    flattering Adulteress: 7:1-5
               b.   The Dramatization of the Naive and the
                    Adulteress: 7:6-23
                    1)   The Naivete of the Victim: 7:6-9
                    2)   A Description of the Adulteress: 7:10-21
                         a)   The Character of the Adulteress:
                              7:10-12
                         b)   The Tactics of the Adulteress: 7:13-
                              21
                    3)   The Fall of the Victim: 7:22-23
               c.   The Concluding Plea: 7:24-27
                    1)   Exhortation--Listen and Steer Clear:
                         7:24-25
                    2)   Reason--Death: 7:26-27
          2.   Follow Wisdom: A father draws his sons's attention
               to the invitations of wisdom  8:1-36
               a.   The Public Call of Wisdom: 8:1-3
               b.   The Words of Wisdom: 8:4-36
                    1)   Wisdom's Virtues: 8:4-11
                    2)   Wisdom's Rewards: 8:12-21
                    3)   Wisdom's Role in Creation: 8:22-31
                    4)   Wisdom's Concluding Plea--Pursue Wisdom
                         for Blessing and to Avoid Injury: 8:32-
                         36
     O.   Summary of the Lessons--Contrasting Two Rival Women,
          Two Rival Minds & Two Disparate Results: 9:1-19
          1.   The Woman of Wisdom: Wisdom like an honorable
               woman invites the naive to her feast of life  9:1-
               12
               a.   The Preparation for the Naive: 9:1-3
               b.   The Invitation: 9:4-6
               c.   The Lesson--The Wise and The Scoffer
                    Contrasted: 9:7-12
                    1)   The Scoffer's Closed Mind--Abuses
                         Reprovers and Hates Reproof: 9:7-8a
                    2)   The Wise Man's Teachable Mind--Loves
                         Learning, Increases in Learning, Fears
                         the Lord & Lives Long  9:8b-11
                    3)   Summary: The wise man benefits from
                         wisdom, but the scoffer can blame only
                         himself  9:12
          2.   The Woman of Folly: Folly like an adulterous woman
               invites the naive to her feast of Death: 9:13-18
               a.   Her Character--Noisy, Simple, & Ignorant:
                    9:13
               b.   Her Position--Religious: 9:14
               c.   Her Appeal to the Righteous: 9:15
               d.   Her Invitation to the Naive: 9:16
               e.   Her Enticement--Evil is Good: 9:17
               f.   Her Fate--Death! 9:18
III. A Second Collection of Solomonic Proverbs--Short Maxims:
     10:1--22:16
     A.   Proverbs Which Contrast Righteous (Wise) with Wicked
          (Foolish) Living:5 10:1--15:33
     B.   Assorted Proverbs Which Exalt Righteous Living:6 16:1--
          22:16
IV.  Sayings of the Wisemen: 22:17--24:34
     A.   First Sayings of the Wisemen--Thirty of Them: 22:17-
          24:22Introductory Prelude--Exhortation to Apply Your
          Mind:  The purpose of the sayings is for the reader to
          trust in the Lord and to have a ready response to life:
          22:17-21
          1.   Warning Not to Rob the Poor:7  22:22-23
          2.   Warning Not to Associate with the Hot-Tempered:
               22:24-25
          3.   Warning Not to Cosign for Debts: 22:26-27
          4.   Warning Not to Move Ancient Boundaries: 22:28
          5.   Advice to Be Skillful: 22:29
          6.   Warning Not to be a Glutton before a King: 23:1-3a
          7.   Warning Not to Be Materialistic: 23:4-5
          8.   Warning Not to Eat with a Selfish Person: 23:6-8
          9.   Warning Not to Converse with a Fool: 23:9
          10.  Warning Not to Move Ancient Boundaries: 23:10-
               11Introductory Prelude to Sayings 11-30--
               Exhortations to Apply Your Mind: 23:12
          11.  Warning Not to Withhold Child Discipline: 23:13-14
          12.  Advice to Be Wise and Upright: 23:15-16
          13.  Warning Not to Envy Sinners and Advice to Fear the
               Lord: 23:17-18
          14.  Advice to Be Wise and Warning Not to Associate
               with Drunkards and Gluttons: 23:19-21
          15.  Advice to Listen to Your Father, and Warning Not
               to Despise Your Elderly Mother: 23:22-23
          16.  Advice to Be Wise: 23:24-25
          17.  Advice to Follow a Father's Ways and Warning to
               Avoid the Adulteress: 23:26-28
          18.  Warning Not to Be a Drunkard: 23:29-35
          19.  Warning Not to Envy Sinners: 24:1-2
          20.  Indirect Advice to Be Wise: 24:3-4
          21.  Indirect Advice to Get Wise Counsel: 24:5-6
          22.  Indirect Warning Not to Be a Fool: 24:7
          23.  Indirect Warning Not to Plan Sin: 24:8-9
          24.  Indirect Advice to Be Strong: 24:10
          25.  Advice to Help People Who Are Victimized: 24:11-12
          26.  Advice to Get Wisdom Which Is Sweet to the Soul:
               24:13-14
          27.  Warning Not to Rob a Godly Person's House: 24:15-
               16
          28.  Warning Not to Be Glad When an Enemy Falls: 24:17-
               18
          29.  Warning Not to Envy Sinners: 24:19
          30.  Advice to Fear the Lord and Warning to Avoid
               Renegades: 24:21-22
     B.   Second Sayings of the Wisemen--Six of Them: 24:23-34
          1.   Warning Not to Show Favoritism in Court: 24:23-25
          2.   Advice to Give an Honest and Forthright Answer:
               24:26
          3.   Advice to Cultivate Your Field: 24:27
          4.   Warning Not to Give a False Witness in Court:
               24:28
          5.   Warning Not to Avenge Yourself: 24:29
          6.   Indirect Warning Not to Be Lazy: 24:30-34
V.   A Third Collection of Solomonic Proverbs by the Men of King
     Hezekiah: 25:1--29:27
     A.   Section One--Miscellaneous Proverbs:
          1.   Introduction: 25:1
          2.   Proverbs Concerning Kings: 25:2-7
          3.   Proverbs Concerning Court Cases: 25:8-10
          4.   Proverbs Concerning Words: 25:11-15
          5.   Proverbs Concerning Excesses: 25:16-17
          6.   Proverbs Concerning Unreliability: 25:18-20
          7.   Proverbs Concerning Enemies: 25:21-22
          8.   Proverbs Concerning Backbiting: 25:23-24
          9.   Proverbs Concerning Cool Water and Muddy Springs:
               25:25-26
          10.  Proverbs Concerning Self-Pride and Self-Control:
               25:27-28
          11.  Proverbs Concerning Fools: 26:1-12
          12.  Proverbs Concerning Sluggards: 26:13-16
          13.  Proverbs Concerning Talkers: 26:17-28
          14.  Proverbs Concerning Interpersonal Problems: 27:1-5
          15.  Proverbs Concerning Friends: 27:6-10
          16.  Proverbs Concerning Relationships: 27:11-22
          17.  Proverbs Concerning Farming: 27:3-27
     B.   Section Two--Proverbs Concerning Contrasts between the
          Wicked and the Righteous: 28:1--29:27
          1.   Proverbs Which Contrast Wicked and Righteous
               Attitudes:8 28:1-28
          2.   Proverbs Which Contrast Wicked and Righteous
               Relationships:9 29:1-27
VI.  The Sayings of Agur: 30:1-31
     A.   Introduction: 30:1
     B.   The Supremacy of Knowing God: 30:2-9
     C.   Proverbs Which Relate Things That Are Alike:  30:10-33
          1.   Advice Not to Tattle on a Slave: 30:10
          2.   Four Kinds of Sinners: 30:11-14
          3.   Four Things Never Satisfied: 30:15-16
          4.   Warning Not to Disrespect Your Parents: 30:17
          5.   Four In Comprehensible Things: 30:18-19
          6.   Warning to Avoid the Adulteress: 30:20
          7.   Four Unfair Things: 30:21-23
          8.   Four Wise though Small Animals: 30:24-28
          9.   Four Strutting Beings: 30:29-31
          10.  Advice to Avoid Pride and Anger: 30:32-33
VII. Conclusion--Exhortations to Seek Wisdom10--The Words of
     Lemuel: 31:1-31
     A.   The Sayings of King Lemuel: 31:1-9
     B.   A Personification of Wisdom--The Ideal Wife: 31:10-31
Proverbs

Solomon, king of ancient Israel (reigned 961-922 BC), son of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:24). He is noted frequently in history and literature as the builder of the Temple and also is said to have possessed great wisdom, the result of God's gift upon him. Solomon succeeded his father as king and divided Israel into 12 parts for administrative purposes. His territory extended "from the river [Euphrates] unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt" (4:21).

An able administrator, Solomon kept the united kingdom of Israel largely intact, strengthened its fortifications, and made alliances with several surrounding nations. International commerce and an extensive copper-mining industry were encouraged. Contact with other nations also resulted in a marked intellectual advance. Despite his reputation for wisdom, much of Solomon's success occurred because larger empires were preoccupied with their own affairs, leaving Israel's trade and industry to flourish without outside interference.

Proverbs, Book of - a collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the "philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and of a good education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of the sacred authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths. It deals, too, in that refined, discriminating, careful view of the finer shades of human character so often overlooked by theologians, but so necessary to any true estimate of human life" (Stanley's Jewish Church).

As to the origin of this book, "it is probable that Solomon gathered and recast many proverbs which sprang from human experience in preceeding ages and were floating past him on the tide of time, and that he also elaborated many new ones from the material of his own experience. Towards the close of the book, indeed, are preserved some of Solomon's own sayings that seem to have fallen from his lips in later life and been gathered by other hands' (Arnot's Laws from Heaven, etc.)

This book is usually divided into three parts: (1.) Consisting of ch. 1-9, which contain an exhibition of wisdom as the highest good.

(2.) Consisting of ch. 10-24.

(3.) Containing proverbs of Solomon "which the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, collected" (ch. 25-29).

These are followed by two supplements, (1) "The words of Agur" (ch. 30); and (2) "The words of king Lemuel" (ch. 31).

Solomon is said to have written three thousand proverbs, and those contained in this book may be a selection from these (1 Kings 4:32). In the New Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it.

Dating Proverbs is difficult, in as much as there were quotes from many sources. The proverbs of Solomon are from the 970-930 B.C., while in 25:1, the advisers lived some 200 years later. The proverbs credited to Lemuel and Agur are undated.