Proverbs

Introduction to Proverbs

Solomon seems to have written the majority of the Proverbs (Prov. 1:1; 10:1; 25:1), which is a book of wisdom—that is, learning to live skillfully. The term “proverb” comes from the Latin term proverbium, which is composed of the roots pro (“instead of”) and verbum (“words”). In short, a proverb is a short, pithy, memorable statement that says a lot in a short amount of words. In our culture, we are awash in a flood of information, but we are starving for wisdom. We have trivia and facts at our fingertips, but are we living any better? Wisdom is the ability to know how to use the knowledge that we possess. Wisdom is the big picture, rather than just endless details.

Authorship

Solomon seems to have written the majority of the Proverbs (Prov. 1:1; 10:1; 25:1). He lived from 971-931 BC. 1 Kings 4:32 states, “[Solomon] spoke 3,000 proverbs.” Archer writes, “Since canonical Proverbs contains only 800 verses, it is obvious that the original Solomonic writings (secs. I, II, III) contained ample material for later excerpters.”

• Proverbs of Solomon (1:1-9:18).

• Proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16).

• Proverbs of the wise (22:17-24:24).

• The Proverbs of Solomon that were “transcribed” in Hezekiah’s day (25-29).

• The teachings of Agur of Massa (30).

• The teachings of the mother of King Lemuel of Massa (31).

We aren’t certain of the origin of the sayings of Agur the son of Jakeh (chap. 30). But the authorship of the majority of the Proverbs was Solomon himself.

Date

The similarity of style and composition helps us date the majority of the proverbs (chs. 1-24) very early. At the same time, the text itself states that some of these proverbs were “transcribed” during the time of Hezekiah (Prov. 25:1). Since Solomon spoke 3,000 Proverbs (1 Kings 4:32), these may have by formally collected in Hezekiah’s day.

Canonicity of Proverbs

This book has ample support for its canonicity. Canonicity scholar Roger Beckwith writes, “The Book of Proverbs is certainly or probably treated as Scripture by Ecclesiasticus, 4 Maccabees, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, [Romans], [James], 1 Clement and Josephus. It was in the canon of Aquila, and a frequently quoted, with standard formulas for citing Scripture, in the Mishnah (Peah 5.6; 7.3; 8.9; Shabbath 9.2; Shekalim 3.2; Yoma 3.11; Taanith 4.8, etc.) and the other tannaitic literature… In the second century BC, the Greek translator of Ecclesiasticus says in his prologue that Ben Sira was led to compose his book by a study of the Scriptures: however, there is no book in the Scriptures which he has studied to such effect as Proverbs, on which his own book is modelled… Finally, in pseudo-Philo’s De Sampsone 44, perhaps written in the first century AD, either Prov. 26.27 or Eccles 10.8 is quoted with the formula ‘Scripture says’.”

Furthermore, the NT cites the book of Proverbs nine times:

Does Proverbs borrow material from other ancient sources?

It seems apparent to most scholars that Solomon accessed wisdom literature surrounding him. For instance, scholar Allen Ross points to the “Instruction of Amenemope” (1580-1100 BC), which is very similar to the Proverbs. The work is addressed to Amenemope’s son, and this work closely resembles “the background of Proverbs 22:17–24:22.” Other works may include the “Instruction of Ani” (1,100 BC), the Mesopotamian “Instruction of Shuruppak” (2,000 BC), the “Counsels of Wisdom” (1500–1000 BC), the Assyrian “Words of Ahiqar” (700–670 BC), the “Instruction of Oncheheshongy” (400–300 BC), and various Egyptian wisdom literature.

Christian scholars who believe in the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture see no problem with this. After all, the Bible itself states, “Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:30). This implies that Solomon was familiar with other wisdom traditions, and he had access to various nations due to his expansive commercial trade. Moreover, all truth is God’s truth—whether it is discovered in nature, Scripture, or culture. Throughout the Bible, we see biblical authors citing non-biblical sources as true—even though they weren’t originally inspired (see Jude 9 for further comments).

A striking difference between the biblical and non-biblical proverbs is the focus on wisdom in relation to God himself. Allen Ross writes, “The biblical material is unique in its prerequisite of a personal faith in a personal God. To the Hebrews the success of wisdom did not simply require a compliance with wise instructions but trust in, reverence for, and submission to the Lord (Prov 1:7; 3:5–6; 9:10), who created everything and governs both the world of nature and human history (3:19–20; 16:4; 21:1).”

What is wisdom?

Wisdom is more than mere intelligence. In his book Outliers (2008), Malcolm Gladwell interviews Christopher Langan, who is considered to be the smartest man in America, and maybe the world. His IQ is somewhere between 190 and 210. He earned a perfect score on the SAT—even though he took a nap during the test.

And yet, he dropped out of college after his first year because of financial problems. He felt that he had more to teach his professors, than learn from them. When Gladwell published his book, Langan worked at a bar as a bouncer.

In our culture, we are awash in a flood of information, but we are starving for wisdom. We have trivia and facts at our fingertips, but are we living any better? Warren Wiersbe writes, “Proverbs tells you, not how to make a living, but how to be skillful in the lost art of making a life.” Wisdom is the ability to know how to use the knowledge that we possess. Wisdom is the big picture, rather than just endless details.

What are proverbs?

In Hebrew, the term “proverb” (māšāl) suggests “the idea of likeness.” We see this usage in Psalm 49:12, where we read, “Man in his pomp will not endure; He is like (māšāl) the beasts that perish.” Allen Ross writes, “A proverb may then be described as an object lesson based on or using some comparison or analogy. It may be a short saying that provides a general truth (Ezek 16:44), a lesson drawn from experience (Ps 78:2–6), a common example (Deut 28:37), or a pattern of future blessing or cursing (Ezek 21:1–5). The purpose of a proverb is to help one choose the best course of action among those available—the foolish way is to be avoided and the wise way followed.”

The term “proverb” comes from the Latin term proverbium, which is composed of the roots pro (“instead of”) and verbum (“words”). In short, a proverb is a short, pithy, memorable statement that says a lot in a short amount of words. We have many proverbs in our culture:

These are short and memorable maxims—not technically precise. They aren’t universal moral commands, but general wisdom principles.

Who was Solomon?

Solomon was one of the early kings of Israel (~950 BC). He received wisdom because he asked God for it to lead Israel.

In order to have a better grasp on reading the Proverbs, we suggest reading our earlier article, “Understanding Hebrew Poetry.” We also endorse our friend Conrad Hilario’s book Seeking for Wisdom: Finding the Father in Proverbs (2018). We know of nothing like this book. It gives clear and thoughtful reflections on the book of Proverbs from a man who lives out what he writes. In an inimitable and yet accessible style, Hilario explores the wisdom of the book of Proverbs. Readers would be wise to read and reread the timeless truths he surveys in this timely book.

Topical Collections of Proverbs

Admonition

Anger

Anxiety

Cynicism: “Scoffers” (lēsim)

Diplomacy

Discernment

Friendship

Forgiveness

Hard work (and the “sluggard”)

Hypocrisy

Learning from mistakes

Listening

Marriage

Materialism

Parenting

Pledging money for others

Poverty

Pride and Arrogance

Sexual immorality

Sovereignty of God

Wise counsel

Words: The power of words

Words: Gossip

Words: Not talking too much