Proverbs 1:6
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Those who read David's psalms, especially those towards the latter end, would be tempted to think that religion is all rapture and consists in nothing but the ecstasies and transports of devotion; and doubtless there is a time for them, and if there be a heaven upon earth it is in them: but, while we are on earth, we cannot be wholly taken up with them; we have a life to live in the flesh, must have a conversation in the world, and into that we must now be taught to carry our religion, which is a rational thing, and very serviceable to the government of human life, and tends as much to make us discreet as to make us devout, to make the face shine before men, in a prudent, honest, useful conversation, as to make the heart burn towards God in holy and pious affections. In this chapter we have, I. The title of the book, showing the general scope and design of it (Pro 1:1-6). II. The first principle of it recommended to our serious consideration (Pro 1:7-9). III. A necessary caution against bad company (Pro 1:10-19). IV. A faithful and lively representation of wisdom's reasonings with the children of men, and the certain ruin of those who turn a deaf ear to those reasonings (Pro 1:20-33).
Open source ↗1:6 Proverbs help the wise person to understand riddles. Here the Hebrew word (khidoth) indicates enigmas or paradoxes—difficult sayings that require interpretation (cp. Judg 14:14).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd.
He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”