Proverbs

The book of Proverbs contains an assortment of wise sayings mainly by king Solomon and a few anonymous, with the last two chapters attributed to Agur and king Lemuel, respectively.

A proverb is a concise statement that expresses a certain truth. In Hebrew form, it usually takes on a poetic prose using the following parallelism structures:

 synonymous—the second line repeats the thought of the first using similar words or ideas (1:2)

 antithetic—the second line reinforces the first by stating the opposite (10:1)

 synthetic—the second line completes the first (3:6)

 climatic—the second line takes up the same words as the first with the exception of the last word (31:4)

 emblematic—one line conveys the main thought and the other illustrates (25:25)

 formal—two dissimilar thoughts are joined in parallel expression (15:33)

Wisdom (Hebrew, hokhmah) is more than just shrewdness or intelligence; it is the ability to make good judgments and take decisive actions based on sound moral values that leads to the practical outworking of righteous living. No wonder the queen of Sheba was completely overwhelmed by Solomon when she came all the way from the east to test him with hard questions (1 Kings 10:1-9).

There is an eternal perspective in Proverbs that is often missed (see 12:28; 14:32; 23:17-18). Not all of the promises or truths will be fulfilled in this life—but they WILL be made good in the end when God sets the record straight!

12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the path way thereof there is no death.

OUTLINE OF PROVERBS

1. The Virtues of Wisdom (1-9)

a. Threefold 'My Son' Instructions (1:1-19)

b. The Call of Wisdom (1:20-33)

c. Seeking Wisdom

'Aleph' Section (2:1-11)

'Lamed' Section (2:12-22)

d. Wise Living (3:1-35)

e. Avoiding Evil (4:1-22)

f. Adultery vs Fidelity (5:1-23)

g. Surety | Sloth | Seduction (6:1-7:27)

h. Wisdom vs Folly (8:1-9:18)

2. The Proverbs of Solomon (10-22:16)

a. The Godly vs The Wicked (10:1-15:33)

b. On Godly Living (16:1-22:16)

3. The Sayings of the Wise (22:17-24:34)

a. Wise words by Anonymous Writers

b. Redeemer hinted (23:11)

4. Proverbs Collated by Hezekiah (25-29)

a. Regulating Relationships (25:1-26:28)

Kings | Neighbors | Enemies | Self

Fools | Sluggards | Gossips

b. Handling Circumstances (27:1-27)

c. Manual for Future Monarchs (28:1-29:27)

5. The Words of Agur (30:1-33)

a. God's Son hinted (30:4)

b. Three-plus-four emphases (six clusters)

6. The Words of King Lemuel (31:1-31)

a. A mother's advice—Avoid evil; do good (31:1-9)

b. The excellent wife (31:10-31)