Proverbs

Theme: The book of Proverbs is a collection of short, pithy statements setting forth moral lessons. The purpose of the book is declared from the very beginning; namely, the impartation of wisdom to young men (1:1-7).

It is the practical book of the Old Testament, applying the principles of righteousness, purity and Godliness to everyday life. The wisdom it teaches is not merely fleshly wisdom and prudence, but a wisdom based on the fear of the Lord (1:7). We may thus sum up its theme: Practical wisdom resting upon and rising out of religious character. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

Author:. Solomon himself wrote most of the proverbs (I Kings 4:32; Ecclesiastes 1:13; 12:9). From the reference in places to the "words of the wise," it is believed that besides his own proverbs, Solomon collected some of those current in his time and incorporated them with his own. The proverbs in the last two chapters were written by Agur and Lemuel, about whom the Bible tells us nothing.

CONTENTS:

 The following analysis has been given:

I. A connected discourse on the value and attainment of true wisdom (Chaps. 1 to 9).

II. Proverbs, headed "The Proverbs of Solomon" (Chaps. 10:1 to 22:16).

III. Renewed admonitions on the study of wisdom, headed "the words of the wise" (22:17 to 24:34).

IV. Proverbs of Solomon collected by the men of Hezekiah (Chaps. 25-29).

V. The wise instructions of Agur to his pupils, lthiel and Ucal, and lessons taught to King Lemuel by his mother (Chaps. 30, 31)