Reference: Proverb
Easton
a trite maxim; a similitude; a parable. The Hebrew word thus rendered (mashal) has a wide signification. It comes from a root meaning "to be like," "parable." Rendered "proverb" in Isa 14:4; Hab 2:6; "dark saying" in Ps 49:4; Nu 12:8. Ahab's defiant words in answer to the insolent demands of Benhadad, "Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off," is a well known instance of a proverbial saying (1Ki 20:11).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even clearly, and not in dark sayings; and the form of the LORD shall he behold: why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girds on his armor boast himself as he that puts it off.
That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increases that which is not his! how long? and to him that loads himself with many pledges!
Hastings
PROVERB
1. Meaning.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And it came to pass, when all that knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?
As says the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon you.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; read more. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give prudence 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 riddles.
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. read more. My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother:
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart unto my knowledge.
That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth to them that send unto you?
The leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
The leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that says not, It is enough.
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that says not, It is enough. The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young vultures shall eat it.
The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young vultures shall eat it. There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden. This is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness.
This is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness. For three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
For three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food;
For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food; For an unloved woman when she is married; and a maidservant that is heir to her mistress.
For an unloved woman when she is married; and a maidservant that is heir to her mistress. There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer; The badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
The badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands;
The locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; The spider takes hold with its hands, and is in kings' palaces.
The spider takes hold with its hands, and is in kings' palaces. There are three things which are stately in stride, yea, four are stately in their walk:
There are three things which are stately in stride, yea, four are stately in their walk: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away from any;
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turns not away from any; A greyhound; a male goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
A greyhound; a male goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
Behold, every one that uses proverbs shall use this proverb against you, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in your sight.
And in this is that saying true, One sows, and another reaps.
Morish
The word chidah is once translated 'proverb,' Hab 2:6 but is often translated 'riddle.' It signifies 'problem,' a hidden mode of speaking, which conceals the sense under figurative expressions. The parable of the great eagle in Eze 17:2-3, is also called a 'riddle.' The word commonly translated 'proverb,' and used for the Book of Proverbs is mashal, signifying 'comparison, similitude.' Proverbs are short sentences calculated to arrest attention and be retained in the memory. De 28:37; 1Sa 24:13; Ps 69:11; Pr 1:1; Ec 12:9; Isa 14:4; Jer 24:9; Eze 12:22-23; 18:2-3; etc. In the N.T. are the words
1, ????????, 'a similitude, comparison.' In the A.V. this is only once translated 'proverb,' Lu 4:23; but is often translated 'parable.'
2, ????????: this is more an obscure saying, Joh 16:25,29; 2Pe 2:22; it is translated 'parable' in Joh 10:6, but 'allegory' would be a better rendering.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And you shall become a horror, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations where the LORD shall lead you.
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their harm, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them.
Son of man, what is that proverb that you have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision fails? Tell them therefore, Thus says the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.
Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; And say, Thus says the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had various colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
What mean you, that you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, says the Lord GOD, you shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increases that which is not his! how long? and to him that loads himself with many pledges!
And he said unto them, You will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal yourself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.
This parable spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke unto them.
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.