Revised by Diane Jacobson (02/24)
1. Title and Prologue (Proverbs 1:1-7)
As is often the case with biblical books, the first word or words stand as the title for the entire book—here “Proverbs” (In Hebrew: mishle. See also Ecclesiastes 1:1; Song of Songs 1:1; Isaiah 1:1).
The purpose of the book is stated in 1:2-7, using many words for 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…. The thematic statement, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” (1:7; repeated in 9:10) ends the prologue. Notably, this central proverb is an observation rather than a revealed truth.
2. Instructional Essays Within the Call of Personified Wisdom (Proverbs 1:8—9:18)
The opening chapters of Proverbs take the form of instructions. These instructions are dominated by imperative verbs, and a variety of terms for wisdom and folly.
These instructions are often delivered as words of a father to his child. They are also frequently portrayed as the words of Woman Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-33; 3:13-24; 8:1—9:6).
3. Proverbs Associated with SolomonThird king of Israel who was known for wisdom and building the first Temple. (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 saltiness.
4. Words of the Wise (Proverbs 22:17—24:22)
A good many of the sayings in this section have parallels in the Egyptian wisdom 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 BCE), then preserved in the royal libraries and passed on with expansions and annotations at the time of HezekiahJudean king noted for his reforms in time of Isaiah. (about 715-687 BCE).
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 Woman of Strength/Worth (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 and as a mark of inclusiveness and perfection.
