Reference: Proverbs, The Book of
Fausets
mishlee, plural of maashaal, "comparison" or "likeness." The Christian fathers (Clement, Ep. Cor. 1:57; Hegesippus, Irenaeus in Eusebius H. E. 4:22) entitle it "Wisdom, the sum of all virtues" (Panareros sophia). Pithy sayings (compare David's quotation, 1Sa 24:13), like similes or with a figure. The comparison is either expressed or left for the hearer to supply. So Balaam's "parable" is prophecy in figurative language (Nu 23:7-10; 1Sa 10:12; Eze 12:22-23; 17:2-3; 18:2; 20:49; 24:3; Lu 4:23). In Job 27:1 "parable" (Job 29:1) means a figurative, sententious, weighty embodiment of wisdom, not in this case short, but containing Job's whole argument (Ps 49:4, maashaal).
In Pr 1:6 "dark sayings" (chidah) are another form of proverbs, the enigmatical obscurity being designed to stimulate reflection (Hab 2:6; Judges 14; 1Ki 10:1; 2Ch 9:1; Eze 17:2; Ps 78:2); the melitsah (Pr 1:6), "interpretation" (so Chald. and Vulgate versions), for which Gesenius translated "a saying that needs an interpreter," i.e. enigmatical (Hab 2:6). For instance (Pr 12:27), "the slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting" requires discernment to see the point of comparison and the application; the slothful man is too lazy to hunt, and therefore has nothing to roast (compare 2Th 3:10). "Proverb" is with Jesus' disciples equivalent to an obscure saying (Joh 16:29).
Canonicity. The Book of Proverbs is found in all Jewish lists among the ketubim, "writings" (hagiographa), the third division of Scripture. The Talmud (Baba Bathra, 14 b.) gives the order, Ruth, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Daniel, Esther, Ezra (including Nehemiah), Chronicles. The New Testament quotes and so canonizes (Pr 1:16; Ro 3:10,15. Pr 3:7; Ro 12:16. Pr 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-6; Re 3:19. Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Pr 10:12; 1Pe 4:8. Pr 11:31; 1Pe 4:17-18. Pr 17:13; Ro 12:17; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Pr 17:27; Jas 1:19. Pr 20:9; 1Jo 1:8. Pr 20:20; Mt 15:4. Pr 22:8; 2Co 9:6; Ga 6:7,9. Pr 25:21-22; Ro 12:20. Pr 26:11; 2Pe 2:22. Pr 27:1; Jas 4:13).
Divisions and authorship. The same heading, "the proverbs of Solomon the son of David king of Israel" (Pr 1:1; 10:1; 25:1), marks the three divisions. Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs (1Ki 4:32) and "set in order" the present selection (Proverbs 1-24; Ec 12:9). "Hezekiah" directed his pious "men" (perhaps Isaiah, Micah, Shebna, and Joah: 2Ki 18:18) to supplement the collection with a series of proverbs of Solomon, not included in the collection by the royal author (Pr 25:1; compare Sir 47:14; Sir 47:17). The Holy Spirit did not appoint all Solomon's proverbs indiscriminately to be put into the canon for all ages, but a selection suited for the ends of revelation. The bringing forth of God's word from obscurity fitly accompanied the reformation by pious Hezekiah, as in the case of Josiah's reformation (2Ch 31:21,21). The Jews assign the composition of the Song of Solomon to Solomon's youth, Proverbs to his manhood, and Ecclesiastes to his old age.
(1) Proverbs 1-9 are one connected whole, in which wisdom is recommended to youths; an introduction states the aim.
(2) Proverbs 10-22 are single detached proverbs; from Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16; Proverbs 22:17 to Proverbs 24:21, form a more connected whole on righteousness and prudence, with an introduction; Pr 24:23-34, "these also belong to the wise," are an appendix of unconnected maxims.
(3) Proverbs 25-29, consisting of single sentences, are the selection of Hezekiah's men..
(4) Proverbs 30 is Agur's proverbs and enigmatical sayings..
(5) Proverbs 31 consists of king Lemuel's words (Pr 31:1-6), and an alphabetical acrostic in praise of a virtuous woman.
The repetition of many proverbs in a similar form in the middle division is due, not to their emanating from different authors, but to their having been selected out of different collections oral or written, of the same author Solomon, in which the same proverb appeared in a different connection; just as Jesus' sayings repeated in different connections (Pr 14:12; 16:25; 21:2,9,19; 10:1; 15:20; 10:2; 11:4; 10:15; 18:11; 15:33; 18:12; 11:21; 16:5; 14:31; 17:5; 19:12; 20:2). The Proverbs apply the truths of religion to practical life in sentences weighty and easily remembered by their terse point. (See POETRY.)
Gnomic poetry is peculiarly Semitic. Instead of philosophical reasonings and argument, the results of observation are embodied in terse proverbial similitudes and maxims. A proverb is defined as" the wit of one, the wisdom of many." When the nation's experiences had become matured Solomon in a time of national peace embodied them in gnomic proverbs. Internal tranquillity favored the growth of a contemplative spirit which suits such a work. Favorite phrases characterize the middle division, the style of which is simple and antique. The Proverbs are in antithetic parallelism, the second clause standing in contrast to the first. Here are the phrases "fountain of life," "tree of life," "snares of death," "healing," "health;" "destruction" (mechittah), Pr 10:14-15,29, nowhere else in Proverbs; (ad argiah) "but for a moment"; (yad leyad) "hand to hand," Pr 11:21; (nirgan) "a whisperer," "talebearer" )Pr 18:18, etc.), are characteristic of the middle division. The third division, namely, of Hezekiah's men, is marked by the interrogation "seest thou?" (Pr 26:12; 29:20.)
Things are compared by being placed side by side, connected simply by "and" (Pr 25:3,20). The antithesis is not so marked. The verses are not of two equal members; one is often shorter than the other; sometimes there are even three members in the verse. A cautious and mournful tone is thought to mark the language as to rulers, instead of the joy and reverence of the middle and older division; the, state of the nation under Hezekiah at the close of the eighth century B.C. accords with his selection of these proverbs of Solomon. The first division, with the closing part of the middle (Pr 10:1-22:16 being the germ of the book), Proverbs 1-9; Proverbs 22:17 - Proverbs 25:1, is characterized by favorite words and constructions: as chokmot, "wisdoms"; zarah, "the strange woman"; nokriah, "the foreigner," the adulteress who seduces youth, the opposite of true wisdom, found once in the middle division (Pr 22:14). Shephathaim, dual feminine, is constructed with the verb masculine plural.
Warning against envy at the sinner's seeming prosperity appears (Pr 3:31; 23:17; 24:1,19) as in Job. The disciplinary design of chastisement ("instruction," musar, Greek paideia, correction by discipline), Pr 3:11-13; so Job (Job 33:17-30; 5:17); wisdom (Pr 2:4; 3:14,8; Job 28; Pr 3:23; Job 5:22; Pr 8:25; Job 15:7-8). The similarity is probably due to Solomon's having become imbued with the spirit of the book of Job, through study of it. The language of the first division rises from a general exhortation, and then a particular one to youth to follow wisdom, to the sublimest and most universal strain at the close (Pr 6:20-9:18). This first division is continuous description and elucidation of truth, instead of the single proverb which characterizes the middle collection; the poetic parallelism is synonymous, not antithetic or synthetic, as in the middle division.
Keil truly says, after all these distinctions of parts, "one historical background is shown throughout, the contents corresponding only to the relations, culture, and experiences of life acquired by the political development of Israel under Solomon." The first part forms a connected mashal or parabolic commendation of wisdom. It is the porch, leading into the interior, the Proverbs proper, loosely connected. The ornamental, flowing style suits the young, to whom the first division is addressed. The second, addressed to men, is in brief, business like style, compressing much in brief compass for the right conduct of life.
The two sentences in each distich mutually complement each other, and the ellipsis in one is to be supplied from the antithesis in the other, e.g. (Pr 12:3), "a man shall not be established by wickedness (but shall be rooted out); but the root of the righteous shall (be established and) not be moved"; Pr 11:12, "he that is void of
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he will take up his parable, and say, From Aram, Balak, king of Moab, will transfer me from the mountains of the east; Come curse to me Jacob and come and be angry at Israel How shall I curse, God cursing not? And how shall I be angry, God not being angry? read more. From the head of the rocks I shall see him, and from the hills I shall look after him: behold, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who divided out the dust of Jacob and who numbered the fourth of Israel? My soul shall die the death of the just, and my latter state shall be as his.
And the book of this law shall not depart from thy mouth; and meditate thou in it day and night, so that thou shalt watch to do according to all written in it: for then thou shalt prosper thy ways, and then thou shalt be wise.
As the ancient parable will say, Injustice will go forth from the unjust; and my hand shall not be upon thee.
And he will speak three thousand parables: and his songs will be five and a thousand.
And queen Sheba heard the report of Solomon for the name of Jehovah, and she will come to try him in enigmas.
And they will call for the king, and there will go forth to them Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, who was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph reminding.
And in all the work which he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and in the command to seek to his God, with all his heart he did, and prospered.
And in all the work which he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and in the command to seek to his God, with all his heart he did, and prospered.
Behold, happy the man God shall rebuke him: and thou shalt not reject the correction of the Almighty:
At desolation and at hunger thou shalt laugh, and from the beasts of the earth thou shalt not fear.
Shalt thou be the firm man born? and hadst thou a beginning before the hills? Shalt thou hear in the consultation of God? and wilt thou reserve wisdom to thyself?
To remove man from working, and he will bide pride from man. He will keep back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing away by the spear. read more. And he was chastened with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones perpetually. His life loathed bread, and his soul food of desire. His flesh will consume away from seeing, and they saw not the nakedness of his bones. And his soul will draw near to the pit, and his life to the dead. If there is a messenger upon him, an interpreter, one from a thousand, to announce to man his uprightness: And he will compassionate him and say, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I found an expiation. His flesh revived above a youth: he shall turn back to the days of his childhood. He shall pray to God and he shall receive him into favor: and he shall see his face with rejoicing, and he will turn back to man his justice. He will look upon men, and he shall say, I sinned, and I perverted the right, and it was not fitting to me; Redeem my soul from passing into the pit, and my life shall look upon light Behold, all these God will work twice, thrice, with man, To turn back his soul from the pit, to enlighten with the light of the living.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my enigma upon the harp.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter enigmas from ancient time:
Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel;
To understand a proverb, and an enigma: the words of the wise and their parables.
To understand a proverb, and an enigma: the words of the wise and their parables.
For their feet will run to evil, and they will hasten to pour out blood:
If thou wilt seek her as silver, and dig for her as hidden treasure;
Thou shalt not be wise in thine eyes: fear Jehovah and depart from evil. It shall be healing to thy sinews, and moistening to thy bones.
My son, thou shalt not reject the instruction of Jehovah, and thou shalt not loathe upon his reproofs:
My son, thou shalt not reject the instruction of Jehovah, and thou shalt not loathe upon his reproofs: For whom Jehovah shall love he will rebuke, as a father the son he will delight in.
For whom Jehovah shall love he will rebuke, as a father the son he will delight in. Happy the man finding wisdom; and the man shall bring forth understanding. read more. For good her gain above the gain of silver, and her increase above gold.
Then shalt thou go thy way confidently, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Thou shalt not envy against a man of violence, and thou shalt choose in all his ways.
But he will deride to those deriding: and he will give grace to the humble.
Before the mountains were settled; before the hills I had a beginning:
Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son will gladden a father: and a son of the foolish will grieve his mother.
Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son will gladden a father: and a son of the foolish will grieve his mother.
Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son will gladden a father: and a son of the foolish will grieve his mother. Treasures of injustice shall not profit, and justice shall deliver from death.
Treasures of injustice shall not profit, and justice shall deliver from death. Jehovah will not cause the soul of the just one to hunger: and he will thrust away the desire of the unjust read more. A slothful hand makes poverty, and the hand of the active will make rich. He gathering in summer, is a prudent son: he lying in deep sleep in harvest, a son causing shame. Blessings upon the head of the just one: and violence shall cover the mouth of the unjust The memory of the just one for blessing: and the name of the wicked shall be rotten. The wise of heart will receive commands: and the foolish of lips shall fall. He going in integrity shall go confidently: and he perverting his ways shall be known. He pinching the eye shall give pain: and the foolish of lips shall fall. A fountain of life the mouth of the just one: and violence shall cover the mouth of the unjust Hatred will excite strifes: and love will cover over all transgressions.
Hatred will excite strifes: and love will cover over all transgressions. In the lips of him understanding, wisdom shall be found: and a rod for the back of him wanting heart read more. The wise shall hide knowledge: and the mouth of the foolish drew near destruction.
The wise shall hide knowledge: and the mouth of the foolish drew near destruction. The wealth of the rich his strong city: the destruction of the poor their poverty.
The wealth of the rich his strong city: the destruction of the poor their poverty.
The wealth of the rich his strong city: the destruction of the poor their poverty. The labors of the just one, to life: the increase of the unjust to sin. read more. The path to life is watching instruction: and he forsaking reproof goes astray. He covering hatred with lips of falsehood, and he bringing forth slander, is foolish. In the multitude of words transgression shall not cease: and he withholding his lips is prudent The tongue of the just is choice silver: the heart of the unjust is as little. The lips of the just one shall feed many: and fools in wanting heart, shall die. The blessing of Jehovah it will make rich, and it will not add pain with it
The way of Jehovah is a fortress to the upright one: and destruction to those doing iniquity.
Wealth will not profit in the day of wrath, and justice will deliver from death.
He wanting heart despised for his neighbor: and a man of understanding will be silent.
Hand to hand, the evil one shall not be unpunished: and the seed of the just were delivered.
Hand to hand, the evil one shall not be unpunished: and the seed of the just were delivered.
Behold, the just shall be requited in the earth: much more the unjust one and the sinning.
A man shall not be prepared by injustice: and the root of the Just shall not be moved.
The slothful one shall not ensnare his hunting: and the substance of the active man is precious.
There is a way straight before man, and its latter state the ways of death.
He oppressing the poor reproached him making him: and he honoring him compassionated the needy.
A wise son will gladden the father: and the foolish man despised his mother.
The fear of Jehovah the instruction of wisdom; and before honor humility.
Every one lifted up of heart an abomination to Jehovah: and hand to hand, shall not be unpunished.
There is a way straight before a man, and its latter state the ways of death.
He mocking to the poor one reproached him making him: and he rejoicing at misfortune shall not be unpunished.
He turning back evil, instead of good, evil shall not move from his house.
He withholding his words will shew knowledge: I man of understanding is a cool spirit
The rich one's wealth his strong city, and as a wall lifted up in his imagination. Before a breaking a man's heart will be lifted up, and before honor, humility.
The lot will cause contentions to cease, and will separate between the strong,
The king's wrath growling as the young lion, and his acceptance as dew upon the grass.
The terror of the king growling as the young lion: he overflowing against him sinned against his soul.
Who shall say, I cleansed my heart; I was pure from my sin?
He cursing his father and his mother, his lamp shall go out in the midst of darkness.
Every way of a man right in his eyes: and Jehovah will prepare hearts.
Good to dwell upon the corner of the roof rather than with a woman of strifes and a house of community.
Good to dwell in the land of the desert rather than with a woman of contentions and anger.
He sowing iniquity shall reap vanity, and the rod of his wrath shall be finished.
The mouth of the strange woman a deep pit: and he cursing Jehovah shall fall there.
Incline thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and thou shalt set thy heart to my knowledge.
Thy heart shall not envy against those sinning: but be in the fear of Jehovah all the day.
Thou shalt not envy against men of evil, thou shalt not desire to be with them.
For the just one shall fall seven times, and rise: and the unjust shall be weak in evil
Thou shalt not be angry against the evil; thou shalt not envy against the unjust:
Also these to the wise. To look upon the face in judgment is not good.
Also these to the wise. To look upon the face in judgment is not good. He saying to the unjust, Thou art just; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall curse him:
He saying to the unjust, Thou art just; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall curse him: And it shall be pleasant to those reproving, and a blessing of good shall come upon them.
And it shall be pleasant to those reproving, and a blessing of good shall come upon them. He shall kiss the lips turning back right words.
He shall kiss the lips turning back right words. Prepare thy work without, and make it ready for thee in the field afterwards; and build thy house.
Prepare thy work without, and make it ready for thee in the field afterwards; and build thy house. Thou shalt not be a witness gratuitously against thy neighbor, and deceive not with thy lips.
Thou shalt not be a witness gratuitously against thy neighbor, and deceive not with thy lips. Thou shalt not say, According to what he did to me, thus will I do to him: I will turn back to the man according to his work.
Thou shalt not say, According to what he did to me, thus will I do to him: I will turn back to the man according to his work. I passed upon the field of the slothful man, and upon the vineyard of the man wanting heart;
I passed upon the field of the slothful man, and upon the vineyard of the man wanting heart; And behold, it came up all of it with thorns; brambles covered its face, and the wall of its stones was overthrown.
And behold, it came up all of it with thorns; brambles covered its face, and the wall of its stones was overthrown. And I shall see and set my heart: I looked, I took instruction.
And I shall see and set my heart: I looked, I took instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down:
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down: And thy poverty came going about, and thy want as a man of shield.
And thy poverty came going about, and thy want as a man of shield.
Also these the proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
Also these the proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings not searched out
He removing a covering in the day of cold, and vinegar upon nitre, and he singing in songs to an evil heart. If thine enemy hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he thirst, give him water to drink: read more. For thou tookest up coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will recompense to thee.
As a dog turned back upon his vomit, the foolish one repeated in his folly. Sawest thou a man wise in his eyes? hope is for the foolish one more than for him.
Thou shalt not boast upon the day of the morrow, for thou shalt not know what a day shall bring forth.
Thou sawest a man hasty in his words: hope to the foolish one more than to him.
The words of Lemuel the king, the lifting up which his mother will instruct him. What, my son? and what the son of my womb? and what the son of my vows? read more. Thou shalt not give thy strength to women, and thy ways to the destroying of kings. Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink and for princes the desire of strong drink: Lest he shall drink and forget what is prescribed, and change the judgment of all the sons of affliction. Ye shall give strong drink to him perishing, and wine to the bitter of soul
And besides, the preacher was wise; he yet taught the people knowledge; and he gave ear, and sought out, setting in order many parables.
Son of man, what this parable to you upon the land of Israel, saying, The days will be prolonged and every vision perished? For this, say to them, Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I caused this parable to cease, and they shall no more use it for a parable in Israel; but speak to them: The days drew near, and the word of every vision.
Son of man, propose an enigma and use a parable to the house of Israel; And say, Thus said the Lord Jehovah: The great eagle great of wings, long of the wing-feather, full of feathers, which to him variegation, came to Lebanon, and he will take the foliage of the cedar.
What to you making use of this parable upon the land of Israel, saying, The fathers will eat sour grapes and the sons' teeth will be blunted?
And saying, Ah, Lord Jehovah, they say to me, Does he not use parables?
And use a parable against the house of contradiction and say to them, Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Set on the pot, set on, and also pour water into it:
Shall not these all of them lift up a parable against him, and an enigma of an oracle against him, and it shall be said, Wo! to him multiplying that not to him. how long making heavy upon him goods taken in pledge?
Shall not these all of them lift up a parable against him, and an enigma of an oracle against him, and it shall be said, Wo! to him multiplying that not to him. how long making heavy upon him goods taken in pledge?
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, he calumniating father or mother, in death let him die.
And he said to them, Directly will ye say to me this proverb, Physician, cure thyself: what things we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
His disciples say to him, See, now thou speakest with freedom of speech, and sayest no proverb.
As has been written, That there is no just one, not one:
Their feet active to pour out blood:
Thinking the same towards one another. Not thinking high things but being led by humble things. Be not wise with yourselves. Giving hack evil for evil to none. Providing good things before all men.
If therefore thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for doing this, thou shalt heap up-coals of fire on his head.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man should sow, that also shall he reap.
And doing good let us not despond: for in proper time we shall reap, not being enervated.
For also when we were with you, this we proclaimed to you, that if any will not work, neither should he eat.
And ye have totally forgotten the entreaty which is spoken to you as to sons, My son, neglect not the instruction of the Lord, nor be enervated being rebuked by him: For whom the Lord loves he corrects, and he chastises every son which he receives.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved brethren, let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger:
And he gives greater grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Come on now, ye saying, To day or to morrow let us go to this city, and do there one year, and let us trade, and derive profit:
I, if as many as I love, I rebuke and correct: be emulous therefore, and repent.