Proverbs

Proverbs from other Cultures Proverbs give insight into the values of a culture... Proverbs give insight into the values of a culture... Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him. Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him. Scottish Proverb Scottish Proverb The best armor is to keep out of range. The best armor is to keep out of range. Italian Proverb Italian Proverb Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. Spanish Proverb Spanish Proverb If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep. If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep. Yiddish Proverb Yiddish Proverb

A Proverb – What is it? What exactly is a proverb? What exactly is a proverb? Proverb – A saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from experience. Proverb – A saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from experience. The Hebrew word for “proverb” means parallel, “similar” or “a comparison”. The Hebrew word for “proverb” means parallel, “similar” or “a comparison”. Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in one’s mind. Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in one’s mind. Wisdom – The application of truth to one’s life. Wisdom – The application of truth to one’s life.

The Biblical Proverbs The Book of Proverbs is classified as one of the O.T. Books of Poetry/Wisdom Literature. The Book of Proverbs is classified as one of the O.T. Books of Poetry/Wisdom Literature. Job Job Psalms Psalms Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Song of Solomon Psalms and Proverbs were meant to be used in conjunction with each other: Psalms and Proverbs were meant to be used in conjunction with each other: Psalms was the worship book Psalms was the worship book Proverbs was the sermon Proverbs was the sermon

The Author of Proverbs Who was the author of Proverbs? Who was the author of Proverbs? The Book of Proverbs was largely composed and complied by king Solomon. The Book of Proverbs was largely composed and complied by king Solomon. Chapters 1-24: Complied by Solomon Chapters 1-24: Complied by Solomon Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiah’s scribes copied the material in these chapters from Solomon’s repertory of proverbs. Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiah’s scribes copied the material in these chapters from Solomon’s repertory of proverbs. Chapter 30: Composed by Agur – a pseudonym of Solomon – Translated: I am weary Chapter 30: Composed by Agur – a pseudonym of Solomon – Translated: I am weary Chapter 31: Composed by Lemuel – another pseudonym of Solomon – Devoted to God Chapter 31: Composed by Lemuel – another pseudonym of Solomon – Devoted to God How many proverbs did Solomon write? How many proverbs did Solomon write? 1 Kings 4:32 “He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five.” 1 Kings 4:32 “He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five.” Why was he qualified? 1 Kings 3:5-14 Why was he qualified? 1 Kings 3:5-14

When and to whom? When was Proverbs written? When was Proverbs written? Before the death of Solomon in 931 BC. They were edited by Hezekiah’s scribes in about 700 BC. Before the death of Solomon in 931 BC. They were edited by Hezekiah’s scribes in about 700 BC. This predates all the “wise” men like Plato, Socrates, & Aristotle This predates all the “wise” men like Plato, Socrates, & Aristotle To whom were the Proverbs written? To whom were the Proverbs written? Simple (naive) – "prudence" Young man – "knowledge and discretion" Wise man – "increased learning" Man of understanding – "wise counsel"

Proverbs Purpose Why was Proverbs written? Why was Proverbs written? To give a young person a sound foundation from which to make wise decisions in life. To give a young person a sound foundation from which to make wise decisions in life. To provide a listing of time honored truths which can serve as a guide in life. To provide a listing of time honored truths which can serve as a guide in life. Historical purpose – It served as a kind of teacher’s manual for the wise men of Israel. The proverbs are easy to memorize and provide guidance for life. Historical purpose – It served as a kind of teacher’s manual for the wise men of Israel. The proverbs are easy to memorize and provide guidance for life. Doctrinal purpose – True wisdom is based in the fear of God. Doctrinal purpose – True wisdom is based in the fear of God. Christological purpose – Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the wise man aspires. Christological purpose – Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the wise man aspires.

Proverbs Structure Literary form – Couplets: Two clauses of the couplets are generally related to each other by parallelism. Literary form – Couplets: Two clauses of the couplets are generally related to each other by parallelism. Several kinds of parallelism are used in the Proverbs. The four main ones seen are: Several kinds of parallelism are used in the Proverbs. The four main ones seen are: Synonymous Parallelism Synonymous Parallelism Antithetic Parallelism Antithetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism

Synonymous Parallelism Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. Example: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, Example: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools” Proverb 19:29 and stripes for the back of fools” Proverb 19:29

Antithetic Parallelism Here a truth, which is stated in the first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite truth. Here a truth, which is stated in the first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite truth. Example: “The light of the righteous rejoices, Example: “The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out” Proverbs 13:9 But the lamp of the wicked will be put out” Proverbs 13:9

Synthetic Parallelism Here the second clause develops the thought of the first. Here the second clause develops the thought of the first. Example “The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Example “The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life” Proverbs 20:2 Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life” Proverbs 20:2

Emblematic Parallelism Here one of the lines is an emblem, illustration, type or example drawn from nature or daily life. Here one of the lines is an emblem, illustration, type or example drawn from nature or daily life. Example: “A man that bears false witness against his neighbor Example: “A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow” Proverbs 25:18 is like a war club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow” Proverbs 25:18

General Proverbs Outline I. Wisdom and Folly Contrasted (Chapters 1-9) I. Wisdom and Folly Contrasted (Chapters 1-9) II. Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set in Order by Himself (Chapters ) II. Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set in Order by Himself (Chapters ) III. Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) III. Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) IV. Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30) IV. Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30) V. Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel, (Chapter 31) V. Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel, (Chapter 31)

Proverbs Chapter Guides – General Themes Ch. 1-9 Chapter 1 – Wisdom respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil. Chapter 1 – Wisdom respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil. Chapter 2 – It rewards its seekers morally. Chapter 2 – It rewards its seekers morally. Chapter 3 – It rewards is seekers physically. Chapter 3 – It rewards is seekers physically. Chapter 4 – It redirects one’s life from evil. Chapter 4 – It redirects one’s life from evil. Chapter 5 – It rejects sensuality. Chapter 5 – It rejects sensuality. Chapter 6 – It reactivates the slothful. It represses the desires of lust. Chapter 6 – It reactivates the slothful. It represses the desires of lust. Chapter 7 – It resists the evil woman Chapter 7 – It resists the evil woman Chapter 8 – It rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 8 – It rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 9 – It reproves the righteous who use it. Chapter 9 – It reproves the righteous who use it.

Proverbs Chapter Guides – General Themes Ch Advice from wise men Advice from wise men Chapter 10 – Is riches from God. Chapter 10 – Is riches from God. Chapter 11 – Is the righteousness of life. Chapter 11 – Is the righteousness of life. Chapter 12 – Is righteousness in its language. Chapter 12 – Is righteousness in its language. Chapter 13 – Has regard for reproof. Chapter 13 – Has regard for reproof. Chapter 14 – Is the road of reward. Chapter 14 – Is the road of reward. Chapter 15 – Exhibits mastery of the tongue. Chapter 15 – Exhibits mastery of the tongue. Chapter 16 – Rests in the purpose of God. Chapter 16 – Rests in the purpose of God. Chapter 17 – Refrains from strife. Chapter 17 – Refrains from strife. Chapter 18 – Finds refuge in God. Chapter 18 – Finds refuge in God. Chapter 19 – Responds to poverty by giving. Chapter 19 – Responds to poverty by giving. Chapter 20/21 – Responds to poverty by working hard. Chapter 20/21 – Responds to poverty by working hard. Chapter 22 – It provides a reward to the poor and is pleasant in nature. Chapter 22 – It provides a reward to the poor and is pleasant in nature. Chapter 23 – Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 23 – Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 24 – Wisdom is prosperous. Chapter 24 – Wisdom is prosperous.

Proverbs Chapter Guides – General Themes Ch Hanging with our homie Solomon Hanging with our homie Solomon Chapter – Words from Solomon Chapter – Words from Solomon Chapter – Thoughts on fools Chapter – Thoughts on fools Chapter 28 – Thoughts on the wicked Chapter 28 – Thoughts on the wicked Chapter 29 – Thoughts on the stubborn Chapter 29 – Thoughts on the stubborn

Proverbs Chapter Guides – General Themes Ch Words from Agur Words from Agur Chapter 30 – Truth and things. Chapter 30 – Truth and things. Words from Lemuel Words from Lemuel Chapter 31 – Wine and women. Chapter 31 – Wine and women. Chapter 31 – What makes a Proverbs woman, and what men should actually be looking for. Chapter 31 – What makes a Proverbs woman, and what men should actually be looking for.

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