Third Millennium Study Bible
Notes on Proverbs 1:1-7

Prologue: The Purpose of Studying Proverbs - Proverbs 1:1-7

This wisdom in this book will benefit those who meditate on it. The explicit reference to this collections purpose (Prov 1:2-6) suggests that it was intended to be used in formal education. See "Overview of the Book of Proverbs" below.

What is a "proverb"? (Prov 1:1). A proverb is a comparison or analogy modeling general truth and directed to a select group - in this case, those who fear the Lord (see Prov 1:7). Wisdom restricts the acceptance of her words "to the discerning," "to those who have knowledge" (Prov 8:9). A proverb calls for readers to exercise imagination in the fear of God to forge some sort of connection between what is said and their own unique situations.

"Solomon" is the author. See "Overview of the Book of Proverbs" below. Futato says, "The consonants of Solomon's name (shelomoh [TH8010, ZH8976]) have numerical values that add up to 375 (sh = 300, l = 30, m = 40, h = 5; also equal to 53 x 3), which is the number of verses in the first anthology of Solomon's proverbs (Prov 10:1-22:16)."

What is "wisdom"? (Prov 1:2). Wisdom generally means "masterful understanding," "skill" or "expertise." In Biblical texts outside of Proverbs, the term is used of technical and artistic skills (Exod 28:3; 31:6), of the arts of magic (Exod 7:11; Isa 3:3), of government (Eccl 4:13; Jer 50:35), of diplomacy (1 Kings 5:7) and of war (Isa 10:13). Some have the wisdom (or skill) to judge (1 Kings 3:28; Isa 11:1-6) and to separate the guilty from the community and so to rule a nation (Prov 20:26). Wisdom also endows rulers with the ability to handle situations masterfully (2 Sam 14:20; Job 39:17). Solomon's wisdom also included botanical and biological knowledge (1 Kings 4:33). The possession of wisdom enables a person to cope with adversity and so to promote the life of the individual and community (Prov 21:22; cf. 24:5; Eccl 7:19; 9:13-16).

What is "discipline"? (Prov 1:2). Discipline is, "instruction," a necessary means to wisdom. The disciple must humbly submit (Prov 15:33) to an authority (e.g., his father or mother) in order to quell his innate waywardness (cf. Prov 22:15). Character shaping instruction is acquired primarily through verbal lessons, but also through reflection on human experience and nature (Prov 19:25; 24:32; cf. Deut 11:2; Ezek 5:15). The disciple must listen to instruction (Prov 1:8), accept it (Prov 1:33; 19:20; 23:23), love it (Prov 12:1), prize it more highly than money (Prov 4:7; 23:23) and refuse to let go of it (Prov 4:13).

What are "words"? (Prov 1:2). The plural refers to the adages themselves, not to the individual words that make up a saying. Both the eye (cf. Prov 3:21) and the ear (cf. Prov 1:8) were involved in perceiving proverbs, which were both written and read aloud.

What is "insight" (Prov 1:2). Insight is the faculty of intellectual discernment and interpretation. The term also refers to reason and intelligence applied to the content of Solomon's teaching (e.g., Prov 1:2; 3:5).

Proverbs 1:3 mentions "prudent life." "Prudent" denotes wise behavior and good sense (cf. Prov 10:5,19; 14:35; 15:24; 17:2; 19:14; 21:16) and designates the ability to make beneficial decisions in a variety of situations. David's "success" (from the same Hebrew root) against the Philistines is a textbook example of this virtue (see 1 Sam 18:5, 14-15, 30). The word "right" in the context means "righteousness." In the metaphor "I put on righteousness as my clothing" (Job 29:14) the author reflects that "righteousness" is a pattern of life, not merely a set of specific acts. just. That which is just ("justice") occurs when the righteous order is restored after having been disturbed. The Hebrew root may also refer to an obligation (see Exod 26:30; Judges 13:2; Job 32:9).

What is "prudence"? (Prov 1:4). Prudence is "cunning," "shrewdness," or the talent for devising and using adroit tactics to attain one's goals. Cunning must be used to meet legitimate moral requirements (see Prov 1:3; 8:12).

What does "simple" mean? (Prov 1:4). Simple means "gullible." The related Hebrew verb denotes being easily taken in, seduced, or tempted (e.g., "entice" in Prov 1:10). Although intellectually flawed, gullible people are the most innocuous of the negative characters in this book because they possess the potential to improve (Prov 1:4; 8:5; 19:25; 21:11), retaining hope of joining the company of the wise (cf. Prov 1:22; 9:4). Wisdom and Folly compete for their allegiance (ch. 9) because they are capable of being either led (Prov 9:1-6) or misled (Prov 9:13-18).

What is "discretion"? (Prov 1:4). Discretion often refers to thoughts that pertain to planning. Such thoughts may be hostile and full of intrigue (Prov 24:8) and so condemned by God (Prov 12:2) and the community (Prov 14:17), or, as here, informed by the sage (Prov 1:4; 2:11; 3:21; 5:2) and so inseparable from wisdom (Prov 8:12). This power protects from temptations.

What does "young" mean in this context? (Prov 1:4). The Hebrew term may be applied to an infant (Exod 2:6; 1 Sam 1:22, 24; 4:21), a 17-year-old youth (Gen 37:2) or even a 30-year-old man (Gen 41:12; cf. Prov 41:46). Presumably the description applied to any age prior to the time one was reckoned an elder (see Prov 17:6; 20:29). The distinction pertains as well to inexperience versus experience (cf. 2 Sam 14:21; 18:5; Jer 1:6). A youth was held fully accountable when 20 years old (cf. Num 1:3,18; 14:29; 26:2, 4). The "youth" addressed in Proverbs was on the threshold of maturity, and an intentional decision to join the wise was imperative in order for him to obtain the sage's knowledge.

In Proverbs 1:5 we see that the "wise" one is the second addressee of the book. Solomon subtly placed his son among the wise rather than the gullible by combining "Let the wise listen" (Prov 1:5) with "Listen, my son" (Prov 1:8). The heart of a wise person loves the Lord, the sage and his teaching (see Prov 15:30-33). Instead of being self-assured (Prov 26:5, 11-12, 16), the wise person is teachable, seeking the knowledge needed by the "simple" (Prov 18:15) and storing it up (Prov 10:14). The wise listen to instruction (Prov 13:1) and counsel (Prov 12:5), accept commands (Prov 10:8) and even love reproof (Prov 9:8). A wise person walks with the wise (Prov 13:20) and is continuously increasing in wisdom (Prov 1:5; 29:9; cf. Prov 4:18). Such a person has control over his or her emotions (Prov 29:11) and rules over fools (Prov 11:29). Wise individuals bring joy to their parents (Prov 15:20; 23:24) and healing to others (Prov 12:18). The wise spread knowledge (Prov 15:7) and become fountains of life for those around them (Prov 13:14). All of these characteristics flow from fearing the Lord and departing from evil (Prov 3:7) because all wisdom comes from God (Prov 2:6; cf. Job 9:4; Isa 31:2). The wise person needs no instruction (Isa 40:12-14). Wisdom issues forth from his or her own being (Prov 8:22-31); only the wise knows wisdom's place and the way to it (Prov 30:2-5; Job 28:23).

What is "discerning"? (Prov 1:5). Discerning means "insightful." Wisdom provides the intellectual ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad - to identify and espouse the moral order God ordains and maintains (see Prov 1:2; 9:10).

What is "guidance"? (Prov 1:5). This is perhaps a nautical term for ropes used to steer a ship. If so, the word connotes that the book's guidance enables the insightful to lead themselves and others through life much as a well-steered ship navigates a difficult waterway.

In Proverbs 1:6 we see "proverbs," "parables" "sayings," and "riddles" mentioned. Waltke says, "All but "sayings of the wise" are used together in Hab. 2:6 for the same poem, suggesting that these four words do not necessarily represent four distinct forms of wisdom speech." Many proverbs are enigmatic in the sense that they must be applied differently in different situations. Thus their intended meaning is not always immediately apparent, and they require careful reflection.

In Proverbs 1:7 we see the phrase "The fear of the LORD." The fear of God is a wholesome and appropriate reaction to God's supremacy and holiness. The word "beginning" in this context means the foundation (see also Prov 9:10). The reference is to the first rung of a ladder. A personal commitment of reverence for God is the basis of true knowledge. The text mentions "fools." Unlike the simple or the gullible, the fool is a "blockhead." Fools are reprehensibly ignorant, undiscerning, and unteachable. Hebrew has two derogatory words normally translated "fool," both of which refer to such people as morally deficient characters who act in irrational ways.

Related Resources

• Overview of the Book of Proverbs