Faith & Reason Nexus

The Meaning of Proverbs: “Comparison, similar, parallel.”
Authorship:

• Principle Author: Solomon.
• Chapter 30: Agur.
• Chapter 31: Lemuel wrote about the worthy woman.

Time of Writing:

• Solomon’s proverbs by 931 B.C.
• Proverbs in chapters 25-29 collected by Hezekiah about 230 years later (reign 715 B.C. to 686 B.C.).

Position in the Bible:

• 20th Book in the Bible
• Holy Bible
• Chapters: 31
• Verses: 915
• Words: 15,043
• 20th Book in the Old Testament
• 3rd of 5 Poetical books (Job-Song of Solomon)
• Followed by 46 Books

Observations about Proverbs:

• Solomon had great wisdom, speaking 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32).
• About 800 of Solomon’s proverbs included in the Book of Proverbs.
• No Biblical information about Agur or Lemuel.
• Solomon’s wisdom was well-known during his day.
• Solomon asked for wisdom, granted according to 1 Kings 3:9-12.
• People sought Solomon’s wisdom globally (1 Kings 10:24).

Key Themes in Proverbs:

• Key Word: “Wisdom” (ability to live skillfully).
• “Instruction” means discipline.
• Provides detailed instructions for practical affairs of everyday life.
• How to relate to God, neighbors, parents, government, children.
• Designed to prevent and remedy ungodly life-styles.

Instruction Topics in Proverbs:

• Wisdom and folly
• Righteousness and wickedness
• The tongue and speech
• Pride and humility
• Justice and vengeance
• The family
• Laziness and work
• Poverty and wealth
• Friends and neighbors
• Love and lust
• Anger and strife
• Masters and servants
• Life and death
• Drunkenness

Proverbs 31:

• Includes an acrostic of 22 verses (following the complete Hebrew alphabet).
• Portrays the virtuous woman.