Introduction to Proverbs

Topics in Proverbs Table

Wisdom Literature

How to Study the Bible

1:1 Proverbs of The heading or title of the entire book.

Solomon, son of David First Kings presents Solomon as the wisest man in the whole earth (1 Kgs 4:29–31), whose wisdom comes as a gift of God (1 Kgs 3:3–15; 4:29). Solomon is credited with writing 3,000 proverbs (1 Kgs 4:32).

1:2 wisdom The Hebrew word used here, chokhmah, is a key term in Proverbs.

instruction The Hebrew word used here, musar, is another key term in Proverbs. It can refer to instruction or discipline dispensed by either people or God (Deut 11:2; Job 5:17; Prov 3:11; Isa 26:16; compare Prov 1:8; 4:1). Those who follow instruction find wisdom and life (vv. 3; 19:20), but the foolish and the wicked hate instruction and pay the price (Psa 50:17; Prov 4:13; 6:23; 10:17; 15:5; compare 5:23; 13:18; 15:32).

understanding The Hebrew word used here, binah, refers to understanding or discernment and is also a key term in Proverbs.

Wisdom and Related Terms

1:3 insightful People who act wisely or prudently work hard and exercise restraint in their speech (Psa 36:3; Prov 10:5, 19). They find favor with others (14:35; 17:2), and they seek God, finding His blessing as well (Psa 14:2; 53:2; Prov 15:24; 16:20).

righteousness and justice and equity Proverbs elaborates the moral aspects of wisdom and its relationship to righteousness, justice, and equity. The wise walk in the path of righteousness and justice (8:20). Wisdom enables people to understand these qualities (2:9).

Wisdom in Proverbs

Justice

1:4 the simple The Hebrew word used here, pethi, refers to someone who is naïve and gullible (Prov 14:15) and falls victim to temptation out of ignorance or obliviousness (7:7; 9:16; 22:3; 27:12).

knowledge The Hebrew word used here, da’ath, is similar to wisdom (10:14; 18:15). It both comes from God (vv. 7; 2:6) and can be learned through instruction or discipline (12:1; 19:25; 21:11). The person with knowledge shows restraint and experiences success (4:4–5; 11:9; 17:27; 19:2; Eccl 7:12).

The Fool in Proverbs

purpose The Hebrew term used here, mezimmah, has both positive and negative connotations. In Proverbs it is typically positive, but elsewhere it often describes negative plans or schemes (Job 21:27; Pss 21:11; 37:7; Prov 12:2; 14:17; 24:8). In Proverbs mezimmah is often used in the context of having the understanding to discern a situation and thus make the right, godly decision (5:1–4; 8:12–13).

the young The Hebrew word used here, na'ar, indicates a youth, a child, or a young man. This type of person may act foolishly (22:15), but is not necessarily a fool. Instead, this young person lacks sense (7:7) and needs instruction and discipline so that a fool’s life may be prevented (22:6, 15; 23:13–14).

1:5 learning The ability to increase in knowledge by listening to instruction is characteristic of the wise (9:9; compare v. 2).

direction The Hebrew word used here, tachbuloth, refers to strategies for navigating life, which can be used for good or evil (11:14; 12:5; 24:6). Proverbs promises that an intelligent person can learn them by reading the book.

1:7 Fear of Yahweh A reverent attitude toward Yahweh.

Fearing God in the Old Testament

Wisdom and Related Terms

fools Fools arrogantly reject teaching because they believe themselves to be wise (12:15).

The Fool in Proverbs

1:8 My child, may you keep your father’s instruction The wisdom of Proverbs is presented as a father teaching his son (2:1; 3:1; 4:10; 5:1; 6:20). Passed down through generations (4:3–4), these teachings resemble the commands of the law (Deut 6:7).

1:9 a garland of favor for your head Just as adorning oneself with jewelry enhances physical beauty, obtaining wisdom enhances character (Prov 3:22; 4:9).

1:10 sinners entice you The ability to withstand temptation is characteristic of the wise; in contrast, the fool enjoys doing wrong (10:23).

1:12 Sheol The Hebrew term used here, she’ol, generally refers to the place of the dead (see note on Job 14:13; compare Gen 37:35).

1:15 do not walk in their way To accompany sinful people is to associate with and behave like them (Prov 1:10). See Psa 1:1 and note.

1:17 in the sight of any winged bird Birds who see a trap being set do not fall into it.

1:18 They ambush their own lives In contrast to the birds of Prov 1:17, the sinner sets a trap, then foolishly falls into it. Compare Psa 7:15 and note.

1:19 it will take the life of its possessors Throughout Proverbs, wickedness and folly always lead to disaster (Prov 13:21; compare Job 4:6 and note; 8:3 and note).

Personified Wisdom in the Old Testament

1:20 Wisdom calls out Wisdom calls throughout the city. In the street, markets, and city gates, wisdom makes her call available to anyone who will listen. See note on 8:1–36.

her voice Wisdom is personified as a woman because the Hebrew word for wisdom, chokhmah, is feminine.

1:22 How long Wisdom addresses her call to three types of people: the simple, the scoffer, and the fool (see v. 4 and note).

The Fool in Proverbs

1:28 I will not answer Once the fool rejects wisdom, wisdom rejects the fool (1 Sam 8:18).

1:29 did not choose the fear of Yahweh Emphasizes the religious aspect of wisdom: To reject knowledge is to reject the fear of Yahweh (see note on Prov 1:7).

Wisdom and Related Terms

1:31 They shall eat from the fruit of their way Foolishness leads to destruction (10:8). This destruction can be the natural result of folly (26:27) or a divine punishment (Jer 6:19).

1:33 Whoever listens to me will dwell in security Those who heed wisdom’s call find security just as those who trust in Yahweh have security (Pss 4:8; 16:8–9; 25:12–13). Wisdom Literature operates on the principle that God designed the world so that people would get what they deserve: if they are righteous, they are blessed; if they are wicked, they are punished. See note on Prov 3:2.