Get Ready
The Hebrew word for proverb – “mashal” – comes from a word meaning “comparison” or “similarity.” Proverbs are short, memorable statements that express what reality, or life, is like. They condense what we learn from our experiences into a “wise” maxim.
Author
Most Biblical scholars agree that Solomon was responsible for a good share of the book of Proverbs. The first verse identifies him as “the” author, and chapters 10-22:16 and 25-29 are specifically ascribed to him. However, one section is labeled “Sayings of the Wise” (22:17-24:34). Two other sections are ascribed to “Agur” and “King Lemuel” (chapters 30 and 31, respectively), although some scholars believe these are figurative authors, since Agur means “collect,” and Lemuel means “created by God.”
Context
Proverbs – short, memorable statements of “wisdom” – were used throughout the ancient world. In fact, they are still prevalent in many contemporary cultures for the same purpose: passing good advice about daily living from one generation to the next. In fact, the “Sayings of the Wise” section is very similar to a collection called “The Proverbs of Amenemope of Egypt,” which Solomon may have influenced or borrowed from (depending on when the Egyptian version was actually composed).
The critical difference in the Biblical proverbs is their consistent focus on living the life that God has in mind: success is living in a right relationship with the Lord.
Most authorities agree that Solomon wrote or collected the majority of proverbs in the book. The Bible describes him as famous for his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34) and he was also known for his scientific learning. The book was probably written during his reign (971-931 BCE), with the later section from “Hezekiah’s men” added around 720 BCE (chapters 25-29).
Structure
As mentioned above Proverbs has several authors, each identified with specific sections:
- Solomon: Chapters 1-22:16, and 25-29
- “The Wise:” 22:17-24:34
- Agur: Chapter 30
- King Lemuel: Chapter 31- which includes an epilogue, “Ode to a Capable Wife.”
Within the first section, chapters 1-9 focus on wisdom, while chapters 10-22:16 present a variety of proverbs in no particular order. Many of these proverbs consist of a single verse with contrasting parallelism – one phrase states the positive and the other phrase provides the contrast: A wise child makes a glad father, but a foolish child is a mother’s grief, [10:1]. The second Solomon section (chapters 25-30) follows a similar pattern and format.
Major Themes
The overarching message of Proverbs appears at the beginning: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, [1:7]. The Hebrew word translated “fear” means understanding and respecting who God is and what he does for his creation.
Several other themes are threaded throughout Proverbs:
- Wisdom: In Proverbs, as in the rest of the Bible “wisdom” always has a moral dimension (and “fool” refers to a person with no moral awareness, no matter how much knowledge she or he might have). Some proverbs about wisdom (and foolishness): 10:8, 17; 13:1, 13, 14; 16:16, 22.
- Relationships: Many proverbs describe the value and characteristics of good relationships – respect, love, dedication, support. Some proverbs about family: 12:4, 7; 13:1, 24; 14:26; 17:1, 6, 21, 25; 19:13, 18, 26.
- Speech: Proverbs treats speech as the evidence of a person’s character – what we say and how we say it indicates our attitude toward other people, toward ourselves, and toward God. Some proverbs about speech: 11:12, 13; 12:16, 18, 23; 15:1, 4; 21:23.
- Work: Proverbs views work as the opportunity to use our gifts in a positive way – for our personal well-being and to express our respect and love for God. Some proverbs about work (and laziness): 12:11, 14, 24; 13:4; 14:23; 19:15; 20:4, 13.
- Success: According to Proverbs, success is based on our relationship with God, not on the temporary things we might accumulate in this world (money is as transient as fame). Some proverbs about success: 12:1, 2, 3, 13:5, 6; 16:3; 17:28; 22:4; 25:27.
Special Considerations . . .
- A proverb puts forth a general statement without explanation or rationale; there is no detail, no justification or argument.
- A proverb is meant to apply very broadly – to all people in all similar situations. Proverbs are not “Jewish” or “American,” or any other group, they are for and about humanity.
- A proverb is a generalization about life and reality. There will be exceptions to the general principle, but such exceptions do not invalidate the general statement (a proverb is not a guarantee: Yes, God protects the righteous, but Jesus still suffered and died).
Get into the Word
1. Who wrote the book of Proverbs? Who else was involved in developing this book? How do we know about the author(s)? When was the book written? When was the final section added?
2. What do we know about proverbs in the ancient world? What other cultures used them? How prevalent are proverbs in contemporary culture? What is their primary value or purpose?
3. What is unique about the proverbs in the Bible? Why is this difference important?
4. What are the sections of the book of Proverbs? How are the proverbs organized within each section? What is the general format of the proverbs in the book? Do you think the format helps or hinders you in understanding them?
5. What is the primary message of Proverbs? How do you think the original Jewish readers reacted to this idea? How do you respond to this assertion? What are some of the other themes in the book? How is the general theme reflected in the secondary themes? How do individual proverbs express the general theme of a successful life?
Bible Trivia:
Proverbs has the longest title of any book in the Bible:The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young – let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles, [1:1-6].
More Trivia:
Almost every New Testament writer quotes the book of Proverbs at least once. Mark and Luke are the only scribes who do not. Proverbs 17:13 is mentioned in Romans, 1 Thessalonians and 1 Peter.
30: Admonition to trust and honor God – Proverbs 3:1-35
Get Ready
When you were growing up whom did you go to for answers to questions you had about your life? Whose advice did you pay most attention to? Whose suggestions were most helpful to you? Do you have someone to whom you give advice and suggestions now?
The Word
3My child, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you.
3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
in the sight of God and of people.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
9 Honor the Lord with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,
14 for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence,
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it” — when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan harm against your neighbor
who lives trustingly beside you.
30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
when no harm has been done to you.
31 Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways;
32 for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but stubborn fools, disgrace. NRSV
Get into the Word:
1. How does the speaker begin this chapter? What is the “do” and the “don’t do”? What is the result of following this advice? [see Notes]
2. What does the author say about our knowledge? What should we do with our wisdom? What is more trustworthy? What happens if we take this advice?
3. What is the relationship between wisdom and health? Between wisdom and wealth? Between wisdom and discipline?
4. What does the writer say about the value of wisdom? What does wisdom offer or provide that things in this world do not? How are wisdom, understanding and knowledge related to the universe? Why is this important?
6. What is the practical value of common sense and discernment? What benefits do they provide a person?
7. What does the speaker say about our relationships with our neighbors? How should we conduct ourselves?
8. Why should we avoid envy, especially of violent people? How does God respond to violence?
Get Personal:
This chapter has several parallel statements – a “do” and a “don’t do.” As you look at your life do you see yourself more on the “Do” side or the “Don’t do” side?
Notes . . .
3:2. Abundant welfare — the Hebrew word (also translated “peace” or “prosperity”) includes the concepts of health or wholeness.
3:3. The tablet of your heart — God told Jeremiah he would “put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts,
[Jer 31:33].
3:4. Repute — the Hebrew word refers to effectiveness or competence.
3:5. Trust . . . do not rely — another example of a positive and negative pair – the Hebrew word translated “rely” actually means “lean on” or use as a prop. Implicit in this proverb is the fact that God’s ways are so different than ours they are beyond our ability to comprehend; Paul asks, who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? [Rom 11:33-34]. Verse 7 echoes this wisdom.
3:6. Make straight your paths — trusting God’s wisdom gives us the ability to “see” the direction he is calling us to follow.
3:8. Healing . . . refreshment — the writer refers to the link between wisdom (spiritual health) and physical health many times [12:4; 14:30; 15:30; 16:24; 17:22], a concept modern medicine has “discovered” and is applying today.
3:9. Honor . . . first fruits — echoes the requirement of the law [Deut 26:1-3, 9-11] to bring the “first fruits” of the harvest as an acknowledgement of and thanks for God’s provision. Note that v. 10 is not a guarantee as we use the term; vv. 11-12 provide the other aspect of God’s love (remember: his ways are not our ways).
3:19-20. Wisdom . . . understanding . . . knowledge — are the means by which God created our universe; Jeremiah says, It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens, [Jer 10:12]. If God depends on them, we must also.
3:24. Compare this common sense benefit with the lot of those love money: People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich are always worrying and seldom get a good night’s sleep, [Eccl 5:12].
3:27-35. The author concludes this chapter with five practical applications of wisdom in everyday life – how we should live in relationships with our “neighbor.” He also provides four reasons for the fifth maxim about envy and violence: they move a person away from, not toward God
Memory Verse
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight, [3:5-6, NIV]
Next Lesson
Ecclesiastes 3: Time
