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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
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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A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is sadness unto his mother.
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches and who gives to the rich shall surely come to want. Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom.
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom.
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom. For it is a delightful thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be ordered together in thy lips.
For it is a delightful thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be ordered together in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have I not written unto thee three times in counsels and knowledge,
Have I not written unto thee three times in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee?
that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee?
for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and the ruin of them both, who shall know it? These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. read more. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the peoples curse, nations shall abhor him: But unto those that rebuke him shall be delight, and a blessing of good shall come upon them. The lips of the one that gives a right answer shall be kissed. Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in thine inheritance, and afterwards thou shalt build thine house. Do not be a false witness against thy neighbour, and do not flatter with thy lips. Do not say, I will do unto him as he has done unto me; I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding, and, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received chastening. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travels and thy want as an armed man.
Be thou diligent to know the countenance of thy sheep, and put thy heart into thy herds. For riches are not for ever, and does the crown endure to every generation? read more. The tender grass shows itself, and the hay appears, and the herbs of the mountains are reaped. The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are for the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens.
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
Do not add unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Two things have I required of thee; do not deny me them before I die:
The horseleach has two daughters, which are called, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? read more. Do not give thy strength nor thy ways unto the women who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor is beer for princes lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give beer unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that have heavy hearts. They drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more. Open thy mouth for those who cannot speak in the judgment of all the sons of death. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and destitute. Aleph Who can find a valiant woman? for her price is far above precious stones.
Tau Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own 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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
I am content in the circumference of his earth, and my contentment is with the sons of men.
There is a generation that curses their father, and does not bless their mother. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is 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 as swords, and their molars as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the destitute from among men. The horseleach has two daughters, which are called, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: Sheol; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that never says, It is enough.
There are three things which are hidden from me, yea, four which I know not: The track of the eagle in the air; the track of the serpent upon the rock; the track of the ship in the midst of the sea; and the track of the man in the maid.
For three things the earth is disquieted, and the fourth it cannot bear: For a slave when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with bread; read more. for a rejected 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 wiser than the wise men: 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 all of them go forth by bands; the spider takes hold with her hands and is in kings' palaces. There are three things which have a magnificent walk; yea, the fourth is stately in going: The lion which is strongest among beasts and does not turn away for any; the greyhound who is girded up of loins; a he goat also, and the king, against whom no one rises up.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will in man.
And ye have quite forgotten the consolation which speaks unto you as unto sons, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of 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
See Verses Found in Dictionary
The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel;
For their feet shall run to evil and make haste to shed blood.
Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For the LORD chastens whom he loves and delights in, even as a father to his son.
Surely he scorns the scorners; but he gives grace unto the humble.
A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is sadness unto his mother.
A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son is sadness unto his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. read more. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, but wickedness shall cast out the wicked. He that deals with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He that gathers in summer is a wise son, but he that sleeps in harvest is a son that causes shame. Blessings are upon the head of the just, but the mouth of the wicked covers violence. The memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall stink. The wise in heart will receive the commandments, but he who speaks foolishness shall fall. He that walks in integrity walks securely, but he that perverts his ways shall be broken. He that winks with the eye causes sorrow, and he that speaks foolishness shall fall. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked covers violence. Hatred stirs up strifes, but love covers all sins.
Hatred stirs up strifes, but love covers all sins. In the lips of the prudent wisdom is found and is a rod unto the back of him that is void of understanding. read more. Wise men keep knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near unto calamity. The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the weakness of the poor is their poverty. The work of the righteous is unto life, but the fruit of the wicked is for sin.
The work of the righteous is unto life, but the fruit of the wicked is for sin. He is in the way of life that gives heed to chastening, but he that refuses reproof errs. read more. He that hides hatred has lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool. In the multitude of words there is no lack of rebellion, but he that refrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the just is as choice silver, but the understanding of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. The blessing of the LORD is that which makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
The righteous shall certainly be recompensed in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Whosoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Who shall be able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Whosoever curses his father or his mother, his fire shall be put out in obscure darkness.
He that sows iniquity shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his anger shall fail.
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom.
Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom. For it is a delightful thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be ordered together in thy lips.
For it is a delightful thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be ordered together in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have I not written unto thee three times in counsels and knowledge,
Have I not written unto thee three times in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee?
that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee?
that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee? Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither destroy the destitute in judgment:
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither destroy the destitute in judgment: For the LORD will judge their cause and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. read more. Do not meddle with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the peoples curse, nations shall abhor him: read more. But unto those that rebuke him shall be delight, and a blessing of good shall come upon them. The lips of the one that gives a right answer shall be kissed. Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in thine inheritance, and afterwards thou shalt build thine house. Do not be a false witness against thy neighbour, and do not flatter with thy lips. Do not say, I will do unto him as he has done unto me; I will render to the man according to his work. I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding, and, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received chastening. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travels and thy want as an armed man.
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
If thy enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly.
Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Each one according as they purpose in their heart, so let them give, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.
And if the righteous are saved with difficulty, where shall the unfaithful and the sinner appear?
But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog returns unto his own vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.