Proverbs

Discourse 5 (5:1-23). Here the father urges his son to avoid every form of promiscuity and be faithful to his own wife. Some may consider the emphasis on the dangers of adultery in these chapters of Proverbs to be excessive. But many go astray and warp their lives precisely here. A primary purpose of wisdom is to teach the reader to avoid self-destruction, and few things are more dangerous and yet so alluring as sexuality. Sexuality itself is not, however, an unhealthy or bad thing. Verses 15-19 eloquently celebrate the beauty and joy of sexual love in its proper place.

Discourse 6 (6:1-35). No one can live a peaceful life with financial chaos due to excessive debt. Proverbs urges diligence in labor and caution about entering into contracts and indebtedness. Again the book warns the young man to avoid both the devious man and the wanton woman. The numeric saying in 6:16-19 serves as an easy-to-remember rule of thumb for evaluating character. In the modern day 6:25 applies to pornography as well as to acts of adultery.

Discourse 7 (7:1-27). This chapter offends some readers on the grounds that it seems to attack women. The harlot, a woman, is presented as a deadly, wicked person whom the wise young man will avoid. But no similar warning is issued for the benefit of young girls. Nothing is said about lecherous men. Yet we must remember that the book was written for young men (see "Introduction"). That being the case, we would not expect similar warnings for girls. Verse 6 begins an example story in which the young man is taken in by the harlot and is on his way to destruction. He becomes a bird in a snare or an ox going to slaughter.

Discourse 8 (8:1-36). Wisdom calls out for young men to come to her. She both parallels and contrasts with the harlot, who likewise patrols the streets looking for young men. The difference is that wisdom leads young men to life, but the harlot takes them to the grave (compare 7:27 to 8:35). Wisdom is of more value than gold or jewels. More than that, she was present with God at creation. Nevertheless, she should not be interpreted in a mythological sense, as if she were a goddess, or in a Christological sense, as if she were Christ. Lady Wisdom is a personification, not a person (see also 8:12, where wisdom dwells with "prudence"; this too is a personification and not a second person). When the text says wisdom was there when God made heaven and earth, it means that wisdom is not some recent innovation. Principles of right and wrong are not human inventions but are embedded in the very fabric of the created order. Those who reject wisdom, therefore, are going against the very principles God built into the world and are on a path of self-destruction.

Discourse 9 (9:1-18). The lady wisdom contrasts with the woman folly. Once again we are dealing only with metaphoric personifications. Like vendors calling for customers to come to their shops, wisdom and folly invite the reader to choose which path to take. It is a decision of life and death.

Proverbs (10:1-22:16). Proverbs on labor, prosperity, and wealth (10:1-32). Wealth does have value as security from trouble, but riches wrongfully gained will not protect. Diligent workers enrich themselves, but lazy people irritate everyone. Above all, integrity and the Lord's blessing provide the most sure security. Several proverbs on the use of the tongue also appear in this chapter.

Proverbs contrasting the nature and destiny of the righteous and wicked (11:1-31). The righteous follow a clear path in life, are delivered from troubles, are generous, and strengthen their communities. The wicked hoard money but are not saved by it, are a curse to their families and communities, and face certain punishment.

Proverbs urging discernment in dealings with others (12:1-28). The wise know how to recognize and what to expect of various kinds of people. A good woman will help rather than weaken her husband, and a good man is kind even to his animals. The fool is always sure of himself, speaks without thinking, and is destroyed by his own lies. But the wise both listen and speak well.

Proverbs on life's realities (13:1-25). Things are not always as they seem. The wise must learn to look beneath the surface. Verse 23 does not sanction the plundering of the poor by the rich but shows a common tragedy in society.

Important lessons with touches of humor (14:1-35). Oxen require feeding, and no one enjoys cleaning up after them. But their strength makes farming much easier and leads to a better harvest. Sometimes we have to give up something for a greater gain. Verse 15 shows that gullibility should not be considered a Christian virtue!

Proverbs on teaching and instruction (15:1-33). The wise deal with a problem gently, lead people rightly, and will themselves listen to a rebuke. Fools only do harm when they speak and will not themselves listen to any admonition.

Proverbs on God's sovereignty over all of life (16:1-33). All our plans depend on God. Human government is also to be respected. No one is truly independent in life.

Proverbs on family life and relationships (17:1-19:29). In any family love is more important than riches. Parents and children are bound to each other by a common identity, although even a servant, if wise and faithful, can take the place of a disgraceful son. Family conflicts can go on forever, and bad relatives can ruin life. Many who would call themselves friends are merely attracted by money and power; they show their real character in dealing with someone who has neither. A faithful friend or relative is a protection from trouble, and a good wife is a gift from God.

Warnings against wrong choices (20:1-22:16). The Lord despises fraud, violence, a cold heart, and faithlessness. Drunkenness, laziness, poor investments, and pleasure seeking all lead to destruction. All things are in God's hands, and therefore the fear of God leads to a life worth living.

Thirty Sayings (22:17-24:22). Proverbs 22:17-23:14 contains striking parallels to the Egyptian Teachings of Amenemope. The Egyptian wisdom book appears to be older, which indicates that Solomon knew and used it. This is not surprising, since an Egyptian influence is seen throughout Solomon's writings. These "sayings of the wise" contain a number of proverbs on proper etiquette in the presence of the rich and powerful, with the warning that it is foolish to try to ingratiate yourself before such men (23:1-8).

Proverbs 23:15-24:22 resembles the discourses in the prologue. It again addresses the reader as "my son," encourages the pursuit of wisdom, and warns of the dangers of the immoral woman. This may have been the original conclusion to the Book of Solomon, with 24:23-24 being the equivalent to an addendum or appendix.

Additional Sayings (24:23-34). Proverbs 24:23-34 is a further collection of wise sayings. An example story on the danger of laziness appears in 24:30-34.

Royal Etiquette (25:1-15). A proper understanding both of the king's role and of how to behave in his presence was essential for the courtier in ancient Israel. Prudence, discretion, and patience are essential for anyone who would deal with government authorities (see Eccl. 8:2-6).

Interpersonal Relations (25:16-27). The one who too frequently visits at a friend's house risks becoming an unwelcome sight. The one who does not know how to read a friend's mood will soon anger him or her. Sometimes the best way to win a conflict is to surprise an adversary with kindness.

Difficult People (25:28-26:28). Troublesome and difficult people are recognized by lack of self-control, dogmatic self-assurance, and laziness. They provoke conflict and are deceitful. They should never be honored and cannot be trusted. The apparent self-contradiction in 26:4-5 indicates many proverbs are general statements rather than invariable rules.

Faithfulness in Love (27:1-27). Sometimes true love may be hidden in a rebuke just as hatred may be hidden in a kiss. There is no love where there is no fidelity to one's wife and friends. True friends can improve each other's character, but nagging only irritates.

Need for Law (28:1-29:27). The powerful and wealthy often exploit the poor. Oppressors govern without benefiting the governed, know nothing of justice, amass fortunes by exorbitant interest, and ignore the needs of the poor. Lawlessness brings down societies and families, and people groan under oppressive rule. Governments should establish justice through law. But in the end justice comes only from God.

Title and Prologue (30:1-9). We must acknowledge our inability to understand the ways of God before we can accept revelation from God. Compare 30:4 with John 8:23. The prayer of Proverbs 30:7-9 is a clear example of the piety of the wise.

Various Teachings (30:10-33). The numerical saying in 30:18-19 is tied to the proverb in 30:20. An eagle in the sky, a snake on a rock, and a ship on the sea all have in common that they move without leaving any tracks. In the same way, those committing adultery assume they can do so without leaving a trace of what they have done.

Title and Prologue (31:1-9). Although these are the "sayings of King Lemuel," they actually come from his mother. This is one passage of Scripture, therefore, that we may confidently ascribe to a woman (see Exod. 15:21; Judg. 5).

Those in authority should not use their power for self-indulgence and depravity. Instead, they should devote themselves to defending the poor and the powerless.

The Virtuous Woman (31:10-31). This poem is an acrostic. Although the object of praise is the virtuous woman, the original audience of the piece was again the young man. The opening question in 31:10 implies that the reader ought to find such a wife for himself. The woman is trustworthy, industrious, intelligent, and kind. She adds dignity to the family and has much foresight and prudence. For all this she is much loved in her family and is the real center of the home. Above all she fears God. The final verse speaks eloquently against the tendency to regard her role as of inferior significance.

Theological Significance. Proverbs challenges believers, especially the young, to learn the lessons of past generations. It gives the practical implications of the confession that God is the Lord of all of life. The truly wise show respect for God and His standards in all life situations. Living faith can never be divorced from lives of faithfulness. Faith must be lived out in the day-to-day world where problems call for practical wisdom. How we relate to others serves as an indicator of our relationship with God.

Alden Robert L. Proverbs. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1983.

Bullock, C. Hassell. An Introduction to the Poetic Books of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody, 1979.

Draper, James T., Jr. Proverbs. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1971.

Garrett, Duane A. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. New American Commentary, 1993.

Kidner, Derek. Proverbs. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1975.