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).
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With him I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD's form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?"
The king of Israel answered, "Tell him, 'Do not let him who puts on his armor brag like he who takes it off.'"
that you will take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, "How the oppressor has ceased. How the attacker has ceased."
Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, 'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion. How long?'
Hastings
PROVERB
1. Meaning.
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It happened, when all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, "What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" One of the same place answered, "Who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness;' but my hand shall not be on you.
The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; read more. to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. read more. My son, listen to your father's instruction, and do not forsake your mother's teaching:
Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
The LORD's curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
"The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that do not say, 'Enough:'
"The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that do not say, 'Enough:' Sheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'
Sheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.' "The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it.
"The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it. "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I do not understand:
"There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on 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 on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden. "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'
"So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.' "For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up:
"For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up: For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food;
For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food; for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
"There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer. The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks. You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going:
"There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going: The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any;
The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any; the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
"'Behold, everyone who uses proverbs shall use this proverb against you, saying, "As is the mother, so is her daughter."
At that time, Jesus answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God."
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight."
For in this 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.
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You shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where the LORD shall lead you away.
Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
that you will take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and say, "How the oppressor has ceased. How the attacker has ceased."
I will even give them up to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; 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 this 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 tell them, 'The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.
"Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "A great eagle with great wings and long feathers, full of feathers, which had various colors, came to Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar:
"What do you mean, 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.
Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, 'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion. How long?'
He said to them, "Doubtless you will tell me this parable, 'Physician, heal yourself. Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.'"
Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the hour is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.