Proverbs

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel

‘Proverbs’ [Hebrew: mashal] from a related word meaning “to rule,” in the sense of mental superiority. It is not a collection of human wisdom, but of divine rules to govern all of man’s conduct – his civil, religious, and business life. It is used for an allegory (Ezek. 17:2); a discourse (Num. 23:7-8); a taunt or triumph song (Isa. 14:4); an argument (Job 29:1); a byword (Ps. 44:14); a lament (Mic. 2:4); a proverb (Pro. 1:1; 1Kin. 4:32; 2Chr. 7:20; Ps. 69:11; Jer. 24:9); and a parable (Ezek. 20:49; cp. [Greek: parabole] as a type or figure in Heb. 9:9; 11:19). Proverbs is quoted nine times in the N.T. (1:16; 3:7, 11, 34; 11:31; 25:21; 26:11).

Date and place written: Except for Proverbs 30-31, the proverbs were spoken by Solomon about 1,000 B.C. Proverbs 1-24 were perhaps written by him in a book. Proverbs 25-29 were Solomon’s proverbs added to the first part of the book by Hezekiah about 730 B.C. The last 2 chapters were added at an unknown time.

Author: Solomon is the first sacred writer whose name is at the head of his work. “The Proverbs of Solomon” is the entire title (1:1; 10:1; 25:1; cp. 30:1; 31:1). He wrote the first 29 chapters. They are the only proverbs in existence of 3,000 uttered by him (1Kin. 4:32). He could not have borrowed much, if any, from men before him, as all uninspired ethical writers lived after his day. He could have quoted what he heard from his father David, for many of the same wisdom is mentioned in his writings in Psalms . The last 2 chapters were spoken by an unknown man and woman, and who added them to the proverbs of Solomon is not known unless it was Hezekiah (Pro. 25:1).

‘Solomon the son of David.’ He was the fourth son of David and Bathsheba (2Sam. 5:14).

Theme: Practical moral and spiritual truth in proverbial form for people of God (2Tim. 3:15-17).

Statistics: 20th book of the Bible; 31 chapters; 915 verses; 15,043 words; 49 questions; 27 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 67 sins; 66 things about fools; 28 things about sluggards; 22 things about kings; 25 abominations; 215 commands; 120 promises; 27 blessings; 24 secrets of life; 17 “better” things; 560 proverbs.