1. Title (Proverbs 1:1)
As is often the case with biblical books, the first sentence stands as the title for the entire book (see also Ecclesiastes 1:1; Song of Solomon 1:1; Isaiah 1:1).
2. Instructional Essays (Proverbs 1:2-9:18)
The thematic statement, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” frames this opening section (1:7; 9:10). The purpose of the book is stated in 1:2-7. Dominated by imperative verbs, 1:8-9:18 takes the form of instruction.
3. Proverbs Associated with Solomon (Proverbs 10:1-22:16)
This segment consists mainly of short sayings or “proverbs” dealing with a variety of topics. Such sayings are characterized by shortness, sense, and salt.
4. Words of the Wise (Proverbs 22:17-24:22)
A good many of the sayings in this section have parallels in the Egyptian wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, “The fear of the… More collection, The Wisdom of Amenemope.
5. More Words from the Wise (Proverbs 24:23-34)
Noteworthy in this short collection of sayings is the use of the “autobiographical stylization” form in 24:30-34.
6. Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah’s People (Proverbs 25:1-29:27)
Here is a collection of miscellaneous sayings gathered at the time of Solomon (about 961-922 B.C.E.), then preserved in the royal libraries and passed on with expansions and annotations at the time of Hezekiah (about 715-687 B.C.E.)
7. Words of Agur (Proverbs 30:1-33)
The identity of Agur is not known; of interest in this section is the series of numerical sayings in verses 7-9, 15-16, 18-19, 21-23, 24-28, 29-31.
8. Words of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1-9) and the ABCs of a Capable Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)
The identity of this king is not known. In the original Hebrew, each of the verses in 10-31 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, for ease in memorization.
