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 was the maker of three thousand wise sayings, and of songs to the number of 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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A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need. Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge. For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips. So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you. Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge, To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
For their downfall will come suddenly; and who has knowledge of the destruction of those in high positions? These are more sayings of the wise: To have respect for a person's position when judging is not good. read more. He who says to the evil-doer, You are upright, will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations. But those who say sharp words to him will have delight, and a blessing of good will come on them. He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer. Put your work in order outside, and make it ready in the field; and after that, see to the building of your house. Do not be a violent witness against your neighbour, or let your lips say what is false. Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work. I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense; And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down. Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it. A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep: So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.
Take care to have knowledge about the condition of your flocks, looking well after your herds; For wealth is not for ever, and money does not go on for all generations. read more. The grass comes up and the young grass is seen, and the mountain plants are got in. The lambs are for your clothing, and the he-goats make the value of a field: There will be goats' milk enough for your food, and for the support of your servant-girls.
The words of Agur, the son of Jakeh, from Massa. The man says: I am full of weariness, O God, I am full of weariness; O God, I have come to an end:
Make no addition to his words, or he will make clear your error, and you will be seen to be false. I have made request to you for two things; do not keep them from me before my death:
The night-spirit has two daughters, Give, give. There are three things which are never full, even four which never say, Enough:
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother. What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths? read more. Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble. Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter: Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone. Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death. Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
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 made me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past.
Playing in his earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.
There is a generation who put a curse on their father, and do not give a blessing to their mother. There is a generation who seem to themselves to be free from sin, but are not washed from their unclean ways. read more. There is a generation, O how full of pride are their eyes! O how their brows are lifted up! There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, their strong teeth like knives, for the destruction of the poor from the earth, and of those who are in need from among men. The night-spirit has two daughters, Give, give. There are three things which are never full, even four which never say, Enough: The underworld, and the woman without a child; the earth which never has enough water, and the fire which never says, Enough.
There are three things, the wonder of which overcomes me, even four things outside my knowledge: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a snake on a rock; the way of a ship in the heart of the sea; and the way of a man with a girl.
For three things the earth is moved, and there are four which it will not put up with: A servant when he becomes a king; a man without sense when his wealth is increased; read more. A hated woman when she is married; and a servant-girl who takes the place of her master's wife. There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are very wise: The ants are a people not strong, but they put by a store of food in the summer; The conies are only a feeble people, but they make their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, but they all go out in bands; You may take the lizard in your hands, but it is in kings' houses. There are three things whose steps are good to see, even four whose goings are fair: The lion, which is strongest among beasts, not turning from his way for any; The war-horse, and the he-goat, and the king when his army is with him.
Glory to God in the highest, and on the earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased.
And you have not kept in mind the word which says to you as to sons, My son, do not make little of the Lord's punishment, and do not give up hope when you are judged 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 wise sayings of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel.
For their feet are running after evil, and they are quick to take a man's life.
Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:
My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training: For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.
He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Wealth which comes from sin is of no profit, but righteousness gives salvation from death. read more. The Lord will not let the upright be in need of food, but he puts far from him the desire of the evil-doers. He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth. He who in summer gets together his store is a son who does wisely; but he who takes his rest when the grain is being cut is a son causing shame. Blessings are on the head of the upright, but the face of sinners will be covered with sorrow. The memory of the upright is a blessing, but the name of the evil-doer will be turned to dust. The wise-hearted man will let himself be ruled, but the man whose talk is foolish will have a fall. He whose ways are upright will go safely, but he whose ways are twisted will be made low. He who makes signs with his eyes is a cause of trouble, but he who makes a man see his errors is a cause of peace. The mouth of the upright man is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the evil-doer is a bitter cup. Hate is a cause of violent acts, but all errors are covered up by love.
Hate is a cause of violent acts, but all errors are covered up by love. In the lips of him who has knowledge wisdom is seen; but a rod is ready for the back of him who is without sense. read more. Knowledge is stored up by the wise, but the mouth of the foolish man is a destruction which is near. The property of the man of wealth is his strong town: the poor man's need is his destruction. The work of the upright gives life: the increase of the evil-doer is a cause of sin.
The work of the upright gives life: the increase of the evil-doer is a cause of sin. He who takes note of teaching is a way of life, but he who gives up training is a cause of error. read more. Hate is covered up by the lips of the upright man, but he who lets out evil about another is foolish. Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely. The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value. The lips of the upright man give food to men, but the foolish come to death for need of sense. The blessing of the Lord gives wealth: hard work makes it no greater.
If the upright man is rewarded on earth, how much more the evil-doer and the sinner!
If anyone gives back evil for good, evil will never go away from his house.
He who has knowledge says little: and he who has a calm spirit is a man of good sense.
Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am free from my sin?
If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge. For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips. So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you. Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge, To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you? Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge: For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods. read more. Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
These are more sayings of the wise: To have respect for a person's position when judging is not good. He who says to the evil-doer, You are upright, will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations. read more. But those who say sharp words to him will have delight, and a blessing of good will come on them. He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer. Put your work in order outside, and make it ready in the field; and after that, see to the building of your house. Do not be a violent witness against your neighbour, or let your lips say what is false. Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work. I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense; And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down. Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it. A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep: So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.
These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied out by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
If your hater is in need of food, give him bread; and if he is in need of drink, give him water: For so you will put coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will give you your reward.
Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again.
Do not make a noise about tomorrow, for you are not certain what a day's outcome may be.
Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver.
And most of all be warm in your love for one another; because in love there is forgiveness for sins without number:
And if it is hard for even the good man to get salvation, what chance has the man without religion or the sinner?
They are an example of that true saying, The dog has gone back to the food it had put out, and the pig which had been washed to its rolling in the dirty earth.
If we say that we have no sin, we are false to ourselves and there is nothing true in us.