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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He also originated 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.
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 and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.
He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich -- "both will surely come to want. Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them. So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.
So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you. Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge, To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]? These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate and show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good. read more. He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent -- "peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him. But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them. He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer. [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home. Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips. Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed. I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations? read more. When the hay is gone, the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountain are gathered in, The lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats [will furnish you] the price of a field. And there will be goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance of your maids.
The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa: The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal:
Add not to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar. Two things have I asked of You [O Lord]; deny them not to me before I die:
The leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give! There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four that do not say, It is enough:
The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him: What, my son? What, son of my womb? What [shall I advise you], son of my vows and dedication to God? read more. Give not your strength to [loose] women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more. Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy. A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman -- "who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!
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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The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.
Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men.
There is a class of people who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. There is a class of people who are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their own filth. read more. There is a class of people -- "oh, how lofty are their eyes and their raised eyelids! There is a class of people whose teeth are as swords and whose fangs as knives, to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among men. The leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give! There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four that do not say, It is enough: Sheol (the place of the dead), the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that says not, It is enough.
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not understand: 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 maid.
Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up: Under a servant when he reigns, a [empty-headed] fool when he is filled with food, read more. An unloved and repugnant woman when she is married, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress. There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they lay up 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 you can seize with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces. There are three things which are stately in step, yes, four which are stately in their stride: The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and turns not back before any; The war horse [well-knit in the loins], the male goat also, and the king [when his army is with him and] against whom there is no uprising.
Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [ men of goodwill, of His favor].
And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected 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 (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.
My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, and the afflicted.
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death. read more. The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked. He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot. The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong. He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished. He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but he who boldly reproves makes peace. The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.
Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions. On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding. read more. Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction. The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.
The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin. He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others. read more. He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool. In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value. The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart. The blessing of the Lord -- "it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].
Behold, the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be recompensed on earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner! And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and wicked?
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in complete darkness.
He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail.
Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them. So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.
So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you. Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge, To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held],
Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held], For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted]. read more. Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,
These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate and show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good. He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent -- "peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him. read more. But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them. He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer. [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home. Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips. Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed. I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- " So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
Do not boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, -- œprompt to do it -- ) giver [whose heart is in his giving].
Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].
And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and wicked?
There has befallen them the thing spoken of in the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and, The sow is washed only to wallow again in the mire.
If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].