Reference: Proverbs, Book of
Easton
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 (1Ki 4:32). In the New Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it.
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And he spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were a thousand and five.
Hastings
The second book among the 'Writings' is the most characteristic example of the Wisdom literature in the OT. 1. We may adopt the division of the book made by the headings in the Hebrew text as follows:
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The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
He who oppresses a poor man to his increase, [and] he who gives to a rich man, [comes] only to want. Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips.
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips. That thy trust may be in LORD, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.
That thy trust may be in LORD, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee. Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge,
Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee?
to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee?
For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and the destruction from them both, who knows it? These also are from the wise: To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. read more. He who says to a wicked man, Thou are righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him. But to those who rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. Prepare thy work outside, and make it ready for thee in the field, and afterwards build thy house. Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause, and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns. The face of it was covered with nettles, and the stone wall of it was broken down. Then I beheld, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so thy poverty shall come as a robber, and thy want as an armed man.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds. For riches are not forever. And does the crown endure to all generations? read more. The hay is carried, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the cost of the field. And [then will be] goats' milk enough for thy food; for the food of thy household, and maintenance for thy maidens.
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
Add thou not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things I have asked of thee, deny me not before I die:
The leach has two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, [yea], four that do not say, Enough:
The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? read more. Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is strong drink? Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice [due] to any who is afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul. Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy. A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Morish
In this book God has furnished, through the wisest of men, principles and precepts for the guidance and security of the believer in passing through the temptations to which he is exposed in an evil world. The admonitions speak in terms of affectionate warning 'as to sons:' Heb 12:5. Under symbolic terms, such as 'the evil man' and 'the strange woman,' the great forms of evil in the world, violent self-will, and corrupting folly, are laid bare in their course and end. Wisdom is shown as the alone guard against one or the other. Wisdom is presented, not as a faculty residing in man, but as an object to be diligently sought after and acquired. It is often personified, and is spoken of as lifting up her voice. In Prov. 8, under the idea of wisdom, we have doubtless Christ presented as the resource that was with God from 'the beginning of His way,' so that God could independently of man establish and bring into effect His thoughts of grace for men.
In detail the book refers to the world, showing what things are to be sought and what to be avoided, and evinces that in the government of God a man reaps according to what he sows, irrespective of the spiritual blessings of God in grace beyond and above this world. It maintains integrity in the earthly relationships of this life, which cannot be violated with impunity. The instruction rises altogether above mere human prudence and sagacity, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning or 'principal part,' margin of knowledge." We have in it the wisdom of God for the daily path of human life.
The book divides itself into two parts: the first nine chapters give general principles, and Prov. 10 onwards are the proverbs themselves. This latter portion divides itself into three parts: Prov. 10: to Prov. 24, the proverbs of Solomon; Prov. 25 to Prov. 29, also the proverbs of Solomon, which were gathered by "the men of Hezekiah king of Judah." Prov. 30 gives the words of Agur; and Prov. 31 the words of king Lemuel.
The Proverbs is a book of poetry. The proverbs vary in style: some are antithetical couplets, one being the opposite of the other, as "a wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother." Others are synthetical, the second sentence enforcing the first, as "The Lord hath made all things for himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." See POETRY.
In Prov. 1 the purport of the proverbs is pointed out: it is that instruction in wisdom, justice, judgement, and equity might be received: the fear of the Lord is the starting point. Satan would of course oppose this, so warnings are at once given to avoid the enticings of sinners. Wisdom cries aloud and in the streets: her instructions are for all. Retribution is for such as refuse her call.
Prov. 2 gives the results of following in the path of wisdom, whereas the wicked will be rooted out.
Prov. 3 shows that it is the fear of God, and subjection to His word, that is the only true path in an evil world.
Prov. 4 enforces the study of wisdom: it will surely bring into blessing. Evil must be avoided and be kept at a distance. The heart, the eye, and the feet must be watched.
Prov. 5 warns a man against leaving the wife of his youth (the lawful connection) for the strange woman, which leads to utter demoralisation.
Prov. 6 enjoins one not to be surety for another. Wisdom is not slothful, violent, nor deceitful. There are seven things which are an abomination to the Lord. The strange woman is again pointed out to be avoided as fire: there is no ransom for adultery.
Prov. 7 again shows the traps laid by the strange woman, which alas, are often too successful. Her house is the way to hell (Sheol).
Prov. 8 proclaims that wisdom calls, and invites all to listen: it is valuable for all
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LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
rejoicing in his habitable earth. And my delight was with the sons of men.
There is a generation who curses their father, and does not bless their mother. There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes, and [yet] are not washed from their filthiness. read more. There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes, and their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw teeth, knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. The leach has two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, [yea], four that do not say, Enough: Sheol, and the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that does not say, Enough.
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.
For three things the earth trembles, and for four, [which] it cannot bear: For a servant when he is king, and a fool when he is filled with food, read more. for a hateful woman when she is married, and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress. There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer, the conies 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 lizard takes hold with her hands, yet she is in kings' palaces. There are three things which are stately in their march, yea, four which are stately in going: The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, and turns not away from any, the greyhound, also the he-goat, and the king against whom there is no rising up.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men.
And have ye forgotten the exhortation that reasons with you as with sons, My son, do not disparage the chastening of Lord, nor become disheartened when punished by him?
Smith
Prov'erbs, Book of.
The title of this book in Hebrew is taken from its first word, mashal, which originally meant "a comparison." It is sometimes translated parable, sometimes proverb as here. The superscriptions which are affixed to several portions of the book, in chs.
attribute the authorship of those portions to Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. With the exception of the last two chapters, which are distinctly assigned to other author it is probable that the statement of the superscriptions is in the main correct, and that the majority of the proverbs contained in the book were uttered or collected by Solomon. Speaking roughly, the book consists of three main divisions, with two appendices:--
1. Chs. 1-9 form a connected didactic Wisdom is praised and the youth exhorted to devote himself to her. This portion is preceded by an introduction and title describing the character and general aim of the book.
2. Chs. 10-24 with the title "The Proverbs of Solomon," consist of three parts:
a collection of single proverbs and detached sentences out of the region of moral teaching and worldly prudence;
a more connected didactic poem, with an introduction,
which contains precepts of righteousness and prudence;
with the inscription "These also belong to the wise," a collection of unconnected maxims, which serve as an appendix to the preceding. Then follows the third division chs. 25-29, which, according to the superscription, professes to be collection of Solomon's proverbs, consisting of single sentences, which the men of the court of Hezekiah copied out. The first appendix, ch. 30, "The words of Agur the son of Jakeh," is a collection of partly proverbial and partly enigmatical sayings; the second, ch. 31, is divided into two parts, "The words of King Lemuel," vs. 1-6, and an alphabetical acrostic in praise of a virtuous woman, which occupies the rest of the chapter. Who was Agur and who was Jakeh, are questions which have been often asked and never satisfactorily answered. All that can be said of the first is that he was an unknown Hebrew sage, the son of an equally unknown Jakeh, and that he lived after the time of Hezekiah. Lemuel, like Agur, is unknown. It is even uncertain whether he is to be regarded as a real personage, or whether the name is merely symbolical. The Proverbs are frequently quoted or alluded to in the New Testament and the canonicity of the book thereby confirmed. The following is a list of the principal passages:--
compare Roma 3:10,15
compare Roma 12:16
compare Hebr 12:5,6, see also Reve 3:19
compare Jame 4:6
compare 1Pet 4:8
compare 1Pet 4:18
compare Roma 12:17; 1The 5:15; 1Pet 3:9
compare Jame 1:19
compare 1Joh 1:8
(LXX.), compare 2Cor 9:7
compare, Roma 12:20
compare, 2Pet 2:22
compare, Jame 4:13,14
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The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel,
For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear LORD, and depart from evil.
My son, despise not the chastening of LORD, nor be weary of his reproof. For whom LORD loves he reproves, {and he whips every son whom he receives (LXX/NT)}.
Surely {the Lord is opposed to the arrogant (LXX/NT)}, but he gives grace to the lowly.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. read more. LORD will not allow the soul of a righteous man to famish, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked. He who works with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son. He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Blessings are upon the head of a righteous man, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of a righteous man is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot. The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a prating fool shall fall. He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who perverts his ways shall be known. He who winks with the eye causes sorrow. And a prating fool shall fall. The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions. In the lips of him who has discernment wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding. read more. Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a foolish man is a present destruction. The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The labor of a righteous man produces life. The fruit of a wicked man [is] to sin.
The labor of a righteous man produces life. The fruit of a wicked man [is] to sin. He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof errs. read more. He who hides hatred is of lying lips. And he who utters a slander is a fool. Transgression is not lacking in the multitude of words, but he who refrains his lips does wisely. The tongue of a righteous man is choice silver. The heart of the wicked is little worth. The lips of a righteous man feeds many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding. The blessing of LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Behold, a righteous man shall be recompensed in the earth, how much more the wicked man and the sinner!
He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean. I am pure from my sin?
He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
He who sows iniquity shall reap calamity, and the rod of his wrath shall fail.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips.
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips. That thy trust may be in LORD, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.
That thy trust may be in LORD, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee. Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge,
Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee?
to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee?
to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee? Do not rob a poor man, because he is poor, nor oppress an afflicted man in the gate.
Do not rob a poor man, because he is poor, nor oppress an afflicted man in the gate. For LORD will plead their cause, and despoil of life those who despoil them. read more. Make no friendship with a man who is given to anger, and thou shall not go with a wrathful man,
These also are from the wise: To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. He who says to a wicked man, Thou are righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him. read more. But to those who rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. Prepare thy work outside, and make it ready for thee in the field, and afterwards build thy house. Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause, and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns. The face of it was covered with nettles, and the stone wall of it was broken down. Then I beheld, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so thy poverty shall come as a robber, and thy want as an armed man.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
If thine enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For thou will heap coals of fire upon his head, and LORD will reward thee.
As a dog who returns to his vomit, [is] a fool who repeats his folly.
Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou know not what a day may bring forth.
Each man as he purposes in his heart, not from regret or from necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And above all having fervent love for yourselves, because love will cover a multitude of sins,
And if the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the irreverent and sinful man appear?
But that of the TRUE proverb has happened to them, The dog returning to his own vomit, and the sow that washed to wallowing in mire.
If we say that we have no sin, we lead ourselves astray, and the truth is not in us.