Proverbs 1
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
After the title the writer defines the design and nature of the instructions of the book. He paternally invites attention to those instructions and warns his readers against the enticements of the wicked. In a beautiful personification, wisdom is then introduced in a most solemn and impressive manner, publicly inviting men to receive its teachings, warning those who reject, and encouraging those who accept, the proffered instructions. (Pro. 1:1-33)
Open source ↗The proverbs of Solomon,.... Who is said to make three thousand proverbs, Kg1 4:32; but whether any of them are contained in this book cannot be said: however, it is certain that they are not all in it, since, if you except the first "nine" chapters, which are the introduction to the Proverbs, there are but six hundred and fifty-nine verses in it; and if they are taken in, they make but nine hundred and fifteen, which are not a third part of the proverbs said to be made by him: however, here are as many and such as God thought fit should be preserved for instruction in all future ages. It was usual with the ancients in all countries, when any truth was found, and established by experience, to wrap it up in a few apt words, with or without a figure; that it might be the better understood and more easily retained, and which were always venerable and greatly attended to: and of this kind are these proverbs; only with this difference, that these are of divine inspiration, and the others not. The word used for them comes from one which signifies "similitude" and "dominion" (g); because many of them are similes or comparisons, and are delivered out in figurative expressions, in metaphors and allegories, and the like; and have all of them a commanding power, authority, and influence upon the mind, obliging to an attention to them. The name of Solomon is put to them, the more to recommend them; who had a wise and understanding heart, as large as the sand of the sea, and was wiser than all men, Kg1 4:29; and was an eminent type of Christ, who spake in proverbs also, Joh 16:25. He is further described by his pedigree and office, the son of David, king of Israel; a wise son of a wise father, and king over a wise and understanding people. These titles are added for the further comm…
Open source ↗The external title, i.e., the Synagogue name, of the whole collection of Proverbs is משׁלי (Mishle), the word with which it commences. Origen (Euseb. h. e. vi. 25) uses the name Μισλώθ, i.e., משׁלות, which occurs in the Talmud and Midrash as the designation of the book, from its contents. In a similar way, the names given to the Psalter, תּהלּים and תּהלּות, are interchanged. This external title is followed by one which the Book of Proverbs, viewed as to its gradual formation, and first the older portion, gives to itself. It reaches from Pro 1:1 to Pro 1:6, and names not only the contents and the author of the book, but also commends it in regard to the service which it is capable of rendering. It contains "Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel." The books of the נבואה and חכמה, including the Canticles, thus give their own titles; among the historical books, that of the memoirs of Nehemiah is the only one that does so. משׁלי has the accent Dech, to separate (Note: Norzi has erroneously accented משלי with the accent Munach. The מ is besides the Masoretic majusculum, like the ב, שׁ, and א at the commencement of the Law, the Canticles, and Chronicles.) it from the following complex genitive which it governs, and מלך ישׂראל is made the second hemistich, because it belongs to שׁלמה, not to דּוד. (Note: If it had belonged to דוד, then the sentence would have been accented thus: משׁלי שלמה בן־דוד מלך ישראל.) As to the fundamental idea of the word משׁל, we refer to the derivation given in the Gesch. der jud. Poesie, p. 196, from משׁל, Aram. מתל, root תל, Sanskr. tul (whence tul, balance, similarity), Lat. tollere; the comparison of the Arab. mathal leads to the same conclusion. "משׁל signifies, not, as Schultens and others after him affirm, effigies ad similitu…
Open source ↗We have here an introduction to this book, which some think was prefixed by the collector and publisher, as Ezra; but it is rather supposed to have been penned by Solomon himself, who, in the beginning of his book, proposes his end in writing it, that he might keep to his business, and closely pursue that end. We are here told, I. Who wrote these wise sayings, Pro 1:1. They are the proverbs of Solomon. 1. His name signifies peaceable, and the character both of his spirit and of his reign answered to it; both were peaceable. David, whose life was full of troubles, wrote a book of devotion; for is any afflicted? let him pray. Solomon, who lived quietly, wrote a book of instruction; for when the churches had rest they were edified. In times of peace we should learn ourselves, and teach others, that which in troublous times both they and we must practise. 2. He was the son of David; it was his honour to stand related to that good man, and he reckoned it so with good reason, for he fared the better for it, Kg1 11:12. He had been blessed with a good education, and many a good prayer had been put up for him (Psa 72:1), the effect of both which appeared in his wisdom and usefulness. The generation of the upright are sometimes thus blessed, that they are made blessings, eminent blessings, in their day. Christ is often called the Son of David, and Solomon was a type of him in this, as in other things, that he opened his mouth in parables or proverbs. 3. He was king of Israel - a king, and yet it was no disparagement to him to be an instructor of the ignorant, and a teacher of babes - king of Israel, that people among whom God was known and his name was great; among them he learned wisdom, and to them he communicated it. All the earth sought to Solomon to hear his wisdom, which ex…
Open source ↗1:1 Solomon is the foremost authority on Israelite wisdom (see 1 Kgs 3:1-28; 4:32). Many proverbs are ascribed to Solomon, but he did not write all of them (see Prov 22:17; 24:23; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage,… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand אֵמֶר (ʼêmer, H561) — something said בִּינָה (bîynâh, H998) — understanding
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… מֵישָׁר (mêyshâr, H4339) — evenness, i.e. (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e.…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עׇרְמָה (ʻormâh, H6195) — trickery; or (in a good sense) discretion פְּתִי (pᵉthîy, H6612) — silly (i.e. seducible) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge מְזִמָּה (mᵉzimmâh, H4209) — a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
Open source ↗חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) לֶקַח (leqach, H3948) — properly, something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the… בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… תַּחְבֻּלָה (tachbulâh, H8458) — (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of ropes), i.e. (figuratively)…
Open source ↗בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage,… מְלִיצָה (mᵉlîytsâh, H4426) — an aphorism; also a satire דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) חִידָה (chîydâh, H2420) — a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim
Open source ↗יִרְאָה (yirʼâh, H3374) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רֵאשִׁית (rêʼshîyth, H7225) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit) דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge אֱוִיל (ʼĕvîyl, H191) — (figuratively) silly בּוּז (bûwz, H936) — to disrespect חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application נָטַשׁ (nâṭash, H5203) — properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to… תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively…
Open source ↗לִוְיָה (livyâh, H3880) — something attached, i.e. a wreath חֵן (chên, H2580) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… עָנָק (ʻânâq, H6060) — a necklace (as if strangling) גַּרְגְּרוֹת (gargᵉrôwth, H1621) — the throat (as used in rumination)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חַטָּא (chaṭṭâʼ, H2400) — a criminal, or one accounted guilty פָּתָה (pâthâh, H6601) — to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral… אָבָה (ʼâbâh, H14) — to breathe after, i.e. (figuratively) to be acquiescent
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָרַב (ʼârab, H693) — to lurk דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… צָפַן (tsâphan, H6845) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny;… נָקִי (nâqîy, H5355) — innocent חִנָּם (chinnâm, H2600) — gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage
Open source ↗בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… בּוֹר (bôwr, H953) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… יָקָר (yâqâr, H3368) — valuable (objectively or subjectively) הוֹן (hôwn, H1952) — wealth; by implication, enough מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁלָל (shâlâl, H7998) — booty
Open source ↗נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first כִּיס (kîyç, H3599) — a cup; also a bag formoney or weights
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
And of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel.
But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.
I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.