PROVERBS
Proverbs fits into the section of the Old Testament known as Wisdom Literature which also includes Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Proverbs is a different style of book with a different purpose. No other book of the Bible is like Proverbs although Ecclesiastes has some of the same themes and thoughts.
Prov. 1:1 "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel".
This statement narrows our attention to the author, who in history was the third great king of Israel during the period of time known as the United Kingdom. Solomon requested and received great wisdom from God (I Kings 4:29). I Kings 4:32 affirms that Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs. Evidently the gathering up of all these proverbs did not come about until the days of Hezekiah (Proverbs 25:1). There are over 900 proverbs recorded in the book of Proverbs. Some of them are attributed to Agur (30:1) and King Lemuel (31:1).
The word proverbs means "to represent; something in the place of many words." It has the idea of comparison or similarity. This book is filled with wise sayings, briefly stated, given to regulate the life of a righteous person. Put simply, Proverbs is a book of practical, godly advice.
Many such proverbs are "catchy" in nature in that they grab our attention with its memorable language. In English we have such sayings: One could say, "In advance to committing yourself to a course of action, consider your circumstances and options", but in proverb form we might say, "Look before you leap". Again, "There are certain corrective measures for minor problems that, when taken early on in a course of action, forestall major problems from arising" or in a proverb"a stitch in time saves nine".
Proverbs do not state everything about a truth, but summarize a general point of truth. For example, the well known proverb of chapter 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" cannot be taken as an absolute guarantee that all properly trained children will turn out well. We know that grown children have free will. But generally speaking children will grow up to operate with the well taught values of their parents. Remember that all proverbs must be balanced with the rest of scripture.
Prov. 1:2-6 "To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings."
The relevance of a book like this is enhanced when the underlying reasons for its existence are cited. Within these verses, six such reasons are mentioned:
1."To know wisdom and instruction" (v. 2a). The term wisdom conveys the thought of "bringing God into proper focus; seeing life from His viewpoint." This wisdom will develop as a result of the fear of the Lord: not a fear in the sense of terror, but a deep reverence and respect (Pr. l:7b, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge"). In other words, by way of the Proverbs, man is given the steps which lead to an obedient life.
2. "To perceive the words of understanding" (v. 2b). "To discern the sayings of understanding." The word discern has the idea "to separate and distinguish." It's associated with the thought of going into something for the purpose of distinguishing truth from error and pulling the truth out of the mass of false information.
3. "To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity." (v. 3). To develop alertness in the walk. The term receive is a word suggesting action or mobility. It's the term associated with "plucking grapes and taking them with you." In this instance it is instruction that is to be plucked and taken. Solomon's suggestion is that when one has moved into a godless environment, he can remain alert and free from corruption if he plucks (or receives) instruction for himself.
4. "To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion" (v. 4). To establish discretion and purpose in life. Two kinds of people are identified here. The naive are those who are "simple, wide open, easily deceived and enticed." The young are those who are "between birth and marriageable age" -- children, adolescents, and young adults. Solomon is saying that his proverbs can provide prudence for such as these; literally, "the ability to get down to the bare facts and issues ...to be crafty, sharp, and shrewd." We will find the book of Proverbs especially helpful in what young people need to know about life and what their parents need to teach them. In other words, the recipient of Proverbs is helped to see how life can be lived that will make it more happy and meaningful .
5. "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" (v. 5). One truth will form the building block of another truth. As we gain wisdom from a study of wise thoughts, we add to our overall understanding of truth. As Proverbs 9:9 states, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."
6. "To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings." (v. 6). To cultivate a keenness of mind. Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, believed that the student of his writings and proverbs would cultivate the ability to see into life, grasping its significance and understanding its enigmas.
Proverbs is a volume loaded with capsules of truth that face life head-on: providing benefits if heeded, or consequences if ignored. These capsules mostly take on three different forms of couplets:
Contrastive Couplets. The key linking term in these is but. These are comprised of two parts different from one another. The contrasting thoughts are given to show the positive and negative side of conduct.
Examples:
"A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke" (13:1).
"Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored" (13:18).
"He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly." (14:29)
Completive Couplets. The key linking terms in these are and or so. The second thought recorded adds completion or closure to the first reinforcing its principle
Examples:
"Honor Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine." (3:9,10)
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." (22:1).
Comparative Couplets. The key linking terms in these are better... than and like... so. These introduce two kinds of circumstances or choices, showing one to be preferable to the other, or both similar.
Examples:
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it" (15:16).
"Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land" (25:25).
Other Forms. Though most of the book of Proverbs has no special organization (it is somewhat like trying to read a dictionary), it occasionally has a series of thoughts on certain subjects such as wisdom, fornication, wine, or a worthy wife. At times the text will mention a list of "two things", "three things", "four things", "six things" that the wise man observes about one topic (such as what the Lord hates – 6:16-19).
Since the book of Proverbs has no special organization, I have gathered up most of the verses into specific subjects. We will study it according to these topics.
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Page last updated: March 03, 2003