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 I will speak face to face, openly, and not in riddles; and he will see the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"
The king of Israel replied, "Tell him the one who puts on his battle gear should not boast like one who is taking it off."
I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp.
you will taunt the king of Babylon with these words: "Look how the oppressor has met his end! Hostility has ceased!
"But all these nations will someday taunt him and ridicule him with proverbial sayings: 'The one who accumulates what does not belong to him is as good as dead (How long will this go on?) -- he who gets rich by extortion!'
Hastings
PROVERB
1. Meaning.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
When everyone who had known him previously saw him prophesying with the prophets, the people all asked one another, "What on earth has happened to the son of Kish? Does even Saul belong with the prophets?" A man who was from there replied, "And who is their father?" Therefore this became a proverb: "Is even Saul among the prophets?"
It's like the old proverb says: 'From evil people evil proceeds.' But my hand will not be against you.
I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp.
The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: To learn wisdom and moral instruction, and to discern wise counsel. read more. To receive moral instruction in skillful living, in righteousness, justice, and equity. To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person. (Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!) To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.
To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles. Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. read more. Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.
Her ways are very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
The Lord's curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.
to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?
The leech has two daughters: "Give! Give!" There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, "Enough" --
The leech has two daughters: "Give! Give!" There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, "Enough" -- the grave, the barren womb, land that is not satisfied with water, and fire that never says, "Enough!"
the grave, the barren womb, land that is not satisfied with water, and fire that never says, "Enough!" The eye that mocks at a father and despises obeying a mother -- the ravens of the valley will peck it out and the young vultures will eat it.
The eye that mocks at a father and despises obeying a mother -- the ravens of the valley will peck it out and the young vultures will eat it. There are three things that are too wonderful for me, four that I do not understand:
There are three things that are too wonderful for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship in the sea, and the way of a man with a woman.
the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship in the sea, and the way of a man with a woman. This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I have not done wrong."
This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I have not done wrong." Under three things the earth trembles, and under four things it cannot bear up:
Under three things the earth trembles, and under four things it cannot bear up: under a servant who becomes king, under a fool who is stuffed with food,
under a servant who becomes king, under a fool who is stuffed with food, under an unloved woman who is married, and under a female servant who dispossesses her mistress.
under an unloved woman who is married, and under a female servant who dispossesses her mistress. There are four things on earth that are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
There are four things on earth that are small, but they are exceedingly wise: ants are creatures with little strength, but they prepare their food in the summer;
ants are creatures with little strength, but they prepare their food in the summer; rock badgers are creatures with little power, but they make their homes in the crags;
rock badgers are creatures with little power, but they make their homes in the crags; locusts have no king, but they all go forward by ranks;
locusts have no king, but they all go forward by ranks; a lizard you can catch with the hand, but it gets into the palaces of the king.
a lizard you can catch with the hand, but it gets into the palaces of the king. There are three things that are magnificent in their step, four things that move about magnificently:
There are three things that are magnificent in their step, four things that move about magnificently: a lion, mightiest of the beasts, who does not retreat from anything;
a lion, mightiest of the beasts, who does not retreat from anything; a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king with his army around him.
a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king with his army around him.
"'Observe -- everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you: "Like mother, like daughter."
Then I said, "O sovereign Lord! They are saying of me, 'Does he not simply speak in eloquent figures of speech?'"
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
Again I say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God."
On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.
For in this instance the saying is 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
You will become an occasion of horror, a proverb, and an object of ridicule to all the peoples to whom the Lord will drive you.
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs.
you will taunt the king of Babylon with these words: "Look how the oppressor has met his end! Hostility has ceased!
I will bring such disaster on them that all the kingdoms of the earth will be horrified. I will make them an object of reproach, a proverbial example of disaster. I will make them an object of ridicule, an example to be used in curses. That is how they will be remembered wherever I banish them.
"Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel, 'The days pass slowly, and every vision fails'? Therefore tell them, 'This is what the sovereign Lord says: I hereby end this proverb; they will not recite it in Israel any longer.' But say to them, 'The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.
"Son of man, offer a riddle, and tell a parable to the house of Israel. Say to them: 'This is what the sovereign Lord says: "'A great eagle with broad wings, long feathers, with full plumage which was multi-hued, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.
"What do you mean by quoting this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "'The fathers eat sour grapes And the children's teeth become numb?' "As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, you will not quote this proverb in Israel anymore!
"But all these nations will someday taunt him and ridicule him with proverbial sayings: 'The one who accumulates what does not belong to him is as good as dead (How long will this go on?) -- he who gets rich by extortion!'
Jesus said to them, "No doubt you will quote to me the proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself!' and say, 'What we have heard that you did in Capernaum, do here in your hometown too.'"
Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
"I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; a time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you plainly about the Father.