Spurgeon - Matthew Bible Commentary Proverbs 1 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
Full Answer
What are the proverbs in the Bible?
The proverbs: Proverbs teach wisdom through short points and principles but should not be regarded as “laws” or even universal promises. i. “Proverbs are wonderfully successful at being what they are: proverbs. They are not failed prophecies or systematic theologies.
Is the Book of proverbs in the Bible from Amenemope?
v. There are several sections of Proverbs (22:17-23:14 is an example) that seem to be borrowed from The Teaching of Amenemope, an ancient Egyptian writing. There is debate as to who borrowed whom, but most scholars believe Amenemope is earlier.
What are the Proverbs of Solomon in the Bible?
The proverbs of Solomon: Solomon was the king of Israel famous for his wisdom. In 1 Kings 3:3-13 Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people and God answered that prayer. 1 Kings then presents a remarkable demonstration of Solomon’s wisdom, seen in his response to the problem of the two women and the deceased son ( 1 Kings 3:16-28 ). i.
What does Proverbs say about the law?
“Proverbs itself makes this clear. A proverb is not a magical formula, bringing wisdom and blessing by incantation: ‘Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools’ ( Prov. 26:7 ).” (Phillips) iv. Proverbs rarely quotes other parts of the Hebrew Scriptures, such as the torah or law.
What does Proverbs 16:2 mean?
Proverbs 16:2 Things Are Not What They Seem. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirits. — Proverbs 16:2. OCCASIONALLY in seasons of collapse and disaster great discoveries are made concerning those who appeared to be commercially sound but turn out to be rotten.
What does "sluggard" mean?
1. The spiritual sluggard. Takes the way of indifference, carelessness, indecision, and unbelief; and this, though it may seem easy, is as full of sorrow as a thorn-hedge is full of pricking points.
What is the request for wisdom?
The request is for the heart, the affections, the center of our being. "Give me thine heart" is the first, the daily, the chief, the ultimate demand of the good Spirit.
What is the difference between the Heathen maxim and the Book of Proverbs?
At the same time an enormous difference comes to light: The worldly, heathen maxim is a mixture of moral philosophy and thinking by chance whereas the book of Proverbs of Solomon in the Holy Scriptures considers the fear of Jehovah as aim, which is the beginning of wisdom.
What did Solomon speak of in the Bible?
And he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springs out of the wall: he spoke also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.".
Who is the poet in the Bible?
Solomon is also mentioned as poet in chap. 10:1 and 25:1. In chapter 22:17 and 24:23 the proverbs (contained in the sections following these verses) are called "words of the wise". Finally chapters 30:1 and 31:1 mention Agur and Lemuel as poets of the proverbs.
Is Proverbs written in acrostic form?
Chapter 31:10-31 however is written in acrostic form that is the first letter of each verse is identical with the sequence of the Hebrew alphabet.
Who was wiser than all men?
And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country (JND: sons of the east), and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
Did Solomon compile all the proverbs?
Also Solomon has probably not compiled all proverbs but taken over already known proverbs by the wise (compare chap. 22:17; 24:23). The same implies for the "appendix" in Proverbs 30; Proverbs 31 where the name of Agur and Lemuel appear.
What is the Book of Proverbs?
a. The proverbs of Solomon: The Book of Proverbs is a collection of practical life wisdom given mostly in short, memorable statements. Though part of a larger body of wisdom literature that includes Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, the Book of Proverbs is unique.
Who was the author of the proverbs?
And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. ( 1 Kings 4:32-34) ii. The opening, the proverbs of Solomon should not be taken to mean that Solomon was the author of all these proverbs. There are a few other authors specifically mentioned.
What does Solomon mean by the beginning of knowledge?
The beginning of knowledge: Solomon probably meant knowledge here mostly in the sense of wisdom. The idea that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom is also found at Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10, and Ecclesiastes 12:13. i.
What did Solomon ask God for in 1 Kings 3?
In 1 Kings 3:3-13 Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people and God answered that prayer. 1 Kings then presents a remarkable demonstration of Solomon’s wisdom, seen in his response to the problem of the two women and the deceased son ( 1 Kings 3:16-28 ). i.
How many proverbs did Solomon speak?
There is also this description of Solomon’s wisdom: He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.
What is the meaning of the saying "they will be a graceful ornament on your head"?
They will be a graceful ornament on your head: The idea is that the instruction and law given from parent to child will adorn the life of their children, if they will only receive it. Like a crown on your head or chains about the neck, such wisdom will be a reward to a younger generation.
Is a proverb a magical formula?
A proverb is not a magical formula, bringing wisdom and blessing by incantation: ‘Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools’ ( Prov. 26:7 ).” (Phillips) iv. Proverbs rarely quotes other parts of the Hebrew Scriptures, such as the torah or law.