Proverbs: An Introduction and Outline

Authors

• Solomon (1:1-22:16; 25:1-29:27): David's son is the primary author of the Book of Proverbs. He reigned over Israel from 970-930 B.C.

• Agur (30:1-33): Agur was the son of Jakeh. Nothing more is         known about him.

• Lemuel (31:1-31): Lemuel is referred to as a king. This may be another name for Solomon.

• "Wise Men" (22:17-24:34)

Date: The majority of the book has as its author Solomon. Proverbs 25:1-29:27 originates from Solomon as well, but it was transcribed by the men of Hezekiah, who was king over Judah from ca. 715-686 B.C.

Recipients: The nation of Israel, but especially young people.[1]

Purpose: To provide the reader with "a collection of short sayings instructing the reader how to live well."[2]

An Outline of the Book of Proverbs

   I. Prologue (1:1-7)

 II. The Sayings of Solomon (1:8-9:18)

III. The Proverbs of Solomon (10:1-22:16)

 IV. The Sayings of the Wise Men (22:17-24:34)

  V. The Sayings of Solomon Transcribed by the Men of Hezekiah (25:1-29:27)

 VI. The Sayings of Agur (30:1-33)

VII. The Sayings of Lemuel (31:1-31)

I. An Overview of Proverbs (1:1-7)

This book contains a collection of proverbs from Israel's third king: Solomon, the son of David. Proverbs are short statements that express universal truths about human nature.[3] The prologue of Proverbs reveals the ways in which the book may be utilized by its readers:

1. To know wisdom and instruction (1:2a)

If a person is to live his or her life in a wise way, a person must first know what wisdom is.

2. To discern the sayings of understanding (1:2b)

Because many worthless statements and beliefs masquerade as wisdom, and because wise sayings often are misunderstood, a person must learn to differentiate between true wisdom and worthless words.

3. To receive instruction in wise behavior (1:3)

Wisdom is not just a list of rules to memorize, but a way of life. A good student of wisdom is ready to learn and quick to change his or her life in response to wise teaching.

4. To give prudence to the naive (1:4)

This refers either to those who are young, or those who flirt with sin.[4] Wisdom can given good sense[5] to both of these groups of people.

5. To increase the learning of the wise (1:5-6)

There is never a point at which a person becomes so wise that he or she has no more room to grow.[6] Obtaining wisdom is a lifelong process.

According to verse 6, the three types of wisdom that appear in the Book of Proverbs are:

1) Proverbs: short statements of truth

2) Figures: parables that are of a more extensive length

3) Riddles: statements that require contemplation in order to fully understand

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[1] NIV Archaeological Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 957.

[2] Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998), 314.

[3] NIV Archaeological Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 959.

[4] Irving L. Jensen, Proverbs, in Everyman's Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody, 1982), 42.

[5] NIV Archaeological Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 959.

[6] Kathleen A. Farmer, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: Who Knows What is Good? in the International Theological Commentary, ed. Frederick Carlson Holmgren and George A. F. Knight (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), 26.