Proverbs


Definition: a proverb is a short sentence conveying a moral truth in a concise and pointed form.

Use: Instruction in Proverbs was common in the early history of Eastern nations. The form of address, "My son" is that of a teacher to a pupil rather than that of a father to a child.

Nature: The Proverbs seem to be based only on consideration of worldly prudence but as far as the Holy Spirit is the real author we must believe that the underliying motive is faith. See this expressed in such passages as 1;7; 5:21; 15:11; 23:17-19; 26:10.

Authorship: Proverbs was chiefly written by Solomon. Compare 1:1; 25:1 with I Kings 4:29-32. The last two chapters had othe authors and the whole may have been collected and edited by a later hand. Compare chapters 25-29.

Outline of the Book


The nature of the book makes divisions arbitrary.

Book I For the Young 1-9
  1. Introduction 1:1-6
  2. First Admonitory Discourse 1:8-3:35
  3. Second Admonitory Discourse 4:1-7:27
  4. Third Admonitory Discourse 8:1-9:18
This is a public discourse from the lips of Wisdom personified. It is really our Lord Jesus Christ who is here speaking. "the redeemer anticipating redemption"- Dr. Wm Arnot.

Book II For all ages and ranks. 10-24
Some consider chapters 1-15 as the original nucleus of the entire book. See Chapter 10:1. This division seems to be a contrast between the godly and the ungodly and their respective lots in life. in chapter 10 it is set before us in general terms and in chapters 11-15 it is given in detail.


Book III The Hezekiah collection 25-29

BookIV Appendices 30.31