Proverbs from other Cultures Proverbs give insight into the
values of a culture... Proverbs give insight into the values of a
culture... Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing
him. Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him.
Scottish Proverb Scottish Proverb The best armor is to keep out of
range. The best armor is to keep out of range. Italian Proverb
Italian Proverb Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence.
Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. Spanish Proverb
Spanish Proverb If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep.
If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep. Yiddish Proverb
Yiddish Proverb
Slide 3
A Proverb What is it? What exactly is a proverb? What exactly
is a proverb? Proverb A saying that conveys a specific truth in a
pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from experience.
Proverb A saying that conveys a specific truth in a pointed,
meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from experience. The Hebrew word
for proverb means parallel, similar or a comparison. The Hebrew
word for proverb means parallel, similar or a comparison.
Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in ones mind. Knowledge- is
the apprehension of truth in ones mind. Wisdom The application of
truth to ones life. Wisdom The application of truth to ones
life.
Slide 4
The Biblical Proverbs The Book of Proverbs is classified as one
of the O.T. Books of Poetry/Wisdom Literature. The Book of Proverbs
is classified as one of the O.T. Books of Poetry/Wisdom Literature.
Job Job Psalms Psalms Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon Psalms and Proverbs were meant to be used in
conjunction with each other: Psalms and Proverbs were meant to be
used in conjunction with each other: Psalms was the worship book
Psalms was the worship book Proverbs was the sermon Proverbs was
the sermon
Slide 5
The Author of Proverbs Who was the author of Proverbs? Who was
the author of Proverbs? The Book of Proverbs was largely composed
and complied by king Solomon. The Book of Proverbs was largely
composed and complied by king Solomon. Chapters 1-24: Complied by
Solomon Chapters 1-24: Complied by Solomon Chapters 25-29: King
Hezekiahs scribes copied the material in these chapters from
Solomons repertory of proverbs. Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiahs
scribes copied the material in these chapters from Solomons
repertory of proverbs. Chapter 30: Composed by Agur a pseudonym of
Solomon Translated: I am weary Chapter 30: Composed by Agur a
pseudonym of Solomon Translated: I am weary Chapter 31: Composed by
Lemuel another pseudonym of Solomon Devoted to God Chapter 31:
Composed by Lemuel another pseudonym of Solomon Devoted to God How
many proverbs did Solomon write? How many proverbs did Solomon
write? 1 Kings 4:32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs
were a thousand and five. 1 Kings 4:32 He spoke three thousand
proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five. Why was he
qualified? 1 Kings 3:5-14 Why was he qualified? 1 Kings 3:5-14
Slide 6
When and to whom? When was Proverbs written? When was Proverbs
written? Before the death of Solomon in 931 BC. They were edited by
Hezekiahs scribes in about 700 BC. Before the death of Solomon in
931 BC. They were edited by Hezekiahs scribes in about 700 BC. This
predates all the wise men like Plato, Socrates, & Aristotle
This predates all the wise men like Plato, Socrates, &
Aristotle To whom were the Proverbs written? To whom were the
Proverbs written? Simple (naive) "prudence" Young man "knowledge
and discretion" Wise man "increased learning" Man of understanding
"wise counsel"
Slide 7
Proverbs Purpose Why was Proverbs written? Why was Proverbs
written? To give a young person a sound foundation from which to
make wise decisions in life. To give a young person a sound
foundation from which to make wise decisions in life. To provide a
listing of time honored truths which can serve as a guide in life.
To provide a listing of time honored truths which can serve as a
guide in life. Historical purpose It served as a kind of teachers
manual for the wise men of Israel. The proverbs are easy to
memorize and provide guidance for life. Historical purpose It
served as a kind of teachers manual for the wise men of Israel. The
proverbs are easy to memorize and provide guidance for life.
Doctrinal purpose True wisdom is based in the fear of God.
Doctrinal purpose True wisdom is based in the fear of God.
Christological purpose Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the
Wisdom for which the wise man aspires. Christological purpose
Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the
wise man aspires.
Slide 8
Proverbs Structure Literary form Couplets: Two clauses of the
couplets are generally related to each other by parallelism.
Literary form Couplets: Two clauses of the couplets are generally
related to each other by parallelism. Several kinds of parallelism
are used in the Proverbs. The four main ones seen are: Several
kinds of parallelism are used in the Proverbs. The four main ones
seen are: Synonymous Parallelism Synonymous Parallelism Antithetic
Parallelism Antithetic Parallelism Synthetic Parallelism Synthetic
Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism Emblematic Parallelism
Slide 9
Synonymous Parallelism Here the second clause restates what is
given in the first clause. Here the second clause restates what is
given in the first clause. Example: Judgments are prepared for
scorners, Example: Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes
for the back of fools Proverb 19:29 and stripes for the back of
fools Proverb 19:29
Slide 10
Antithetic Parallelism Here a truth, which is stated in the
first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast
with an opposite truth. Here a truth, which is stated in the first
clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an
opposite truth. Example: The light of the righteous rejoices,
Example: The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the
wicked will be put out Proverbs 13:9 But the lamp of the wicked
will be put out Proverbs 13:9
Slide 11
Synthetic Parallelism Here the second clause develops the
thought of the first. Here the second clause develops the thought
of the first. Example The terror of a king is like the roaring of a
lion; Example The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life Proverbs 20:2
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life Proverbs 20:2
Slide 12
Emblematic Parallelism Here one of the lines is an emblem,
illustration, type or example drawn from nature or daily life. Here
one of the lines is an emblem, illustration, type or example drawn
from nature or daily life. Example: A man that bears false witness
against his neighbor Example: A man that bears false witness
against his neighbor is like a war club, and a sword, and a sharp
arrow Proverbs 25:18 is like a war club, and a sword, and a sharp
arrow Proverbs 25:18
Slide 13
General Proverbs Outline I. Wisdom and Folly Contrasted
(Chapters 1-9) I. Wisdom and Folly Contrasted (Chapters 1-9) II.
Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set in Order by Himself (Chapters
10- 24) II. Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set in Order by
Himself (Chapters 10- 24) III. Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by
Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) III. Proverbs of Solomon, Set in
Order by Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) IV. Oracle of Agur,
(Chapter 30) IV. Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30) V. Proverbs of a
Mother to Lemuel, (Chapter 31) V. Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel,
(Chapter 31)
Slide 14
Proverbs Chapter Guides General Themes Ch. 1-9 Chapter 1 Wisdom
respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil. Chapter 1
Wisdom respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil. Chapter
2 It rewards its seekers morally. Chapter 2 It rewards its seekers
morally. Chapter 3 It rewards is seekers physically. Chapter 3 It
rewards is seekers physically. Chapter 4 It redirects ones life
from evil. Chapter 4 It redirects ones life from evil. Chapter 5 It
rejects sensuality. Chapter 5 It rejects sensuality. Chapter 6 It
reactivates the slothful. It represses the desires of lust. Chapter
6 It reactivates the slothful. It represses the desires of lust.
Chapter 7 It resists the evil woman Chapter 7 It resists the evil
woman Chapter 8 It rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 8 It
rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 9 It reproves the righteous
who use it. Chapter 9 It reproves the righteous who use it.
Slide 15
Proverbs Chapter Guides General Themes Ch. 10-24 Advice from
wise men Advice from wise men Chapter 10 Is riches from God.
Chapter 10 Is riches from God. Chapter 11 Is the righteousness of
life. Chapter 11 Is the righteousness of life. Chapter 12 Is
righteousness in its language. Chapter 12 Is righteousness in its
language. Chapter 13 Has regard for reproof. Chapter 13 Has regard
for reproof. Chapter 14 Is the road of reward. Chapter 14 Is the
road of reward. Chapter 15 Exhibits mastery of the tongue. Chapter
15 Exhibits mastery of the tongue. Chapter 16 Rests in the purpose
of God. Chapter 16 Rests in the purpose of God. Chapter 17 Refrains
from strife. Chapter 17 Refrains from strife. Chapter 18 Finds
refuge in God. Chapter 18 Finds refuge in God. Chapter 19 Responds
to poverty by giving. Chapter 19 Responds to poverty by giving.
Chapter 20/21 Responds to poverty by working hard. Chapter 20/21
Responds to poverty by working hard. Chapter 22 It provides a
reward to the poor and is pleasant in nature. Chapter 22 It
provides a reward to the poor and is pleasant in nature. Chapter 23
Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 23 Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 24
Wisdom is prosperous. Chapter 24 Wisdom is prosperous.
Slide 16
Proverbs Chapter Guides General Themes Ch. 25-29 Hanging with
our homie Solomon Hanging with our homie Solomon Chapter 25-29
Words from Solomon Chapter 25-29 Words from Solomon Chapter 26-27
Thoughts on fools Chapter 26-27 Thoughts on fools Chapter 28
Thoughts on the wicked Chapter 28 Thoughts on the wicked Chapter 29
Thoughts on the stubborn Chapter 29 Thoughts on the stubborn
Slide 17
Proverbs Chapter Guides General Themes Ch. 30-31 Words from
Agur Words from Agur Chapter 30 Truth and things. Chapter 30 Truth
and things. Words from Lemuel Words from Lemuel Chapter 31 Wine and
women. Chapter 31 Wine and women. Chapter 31 What makes a Proverbs
woman, and what men should actually be looking for. Chapter 31 What
makes a Proverbs woman, and what men should actually be looking
for.