1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain to wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother:

9 For they shall be an ornament of grace to your head, and chains about your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privately for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privately for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which takes away the life of the owners thereof.

20 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets:

21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying,

22 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known my words to you.

24 Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

25 But you have set at nothing all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes;

27 When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes on you.

28 Then shall they call on me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

33 But whoever listens to me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

of. Genitive of Relation (App-17), being the title or heading of the whole book, some being "for" him; others "by" him. If not, why the words of Pro 10:1? Chapters Pro 10:19, Pro 10:19 are not to "my son", but are in the third person, "he" and "him". See App-74, and note also other sub-headings, Pro 25:1; Pro 30:1; Pro 31:1. All these are covered by the Genitive of Relation (App-17).

To know = For discerning. So in verses: Pro 1:3, Pro 1:4, Pro 1:6.

wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. There are six words rendered "wisdom" in this book.

(1) chokmah, rendered "wisdom" except in the passages below. It occurs thirty-nine times in singular, and three times in plural ( Pro 1:20; Pro 9:1; Pro 24:7 = true wisdom); forty-two times altogether (6x7. See App-10).

(2) binah = discernment or discrimination. Once rendered "wisdom" ( Pro 23:4). Elsewhere, in twelve passages rendered "understanding"; once "knowledge" ( Pro 2:3).

(3) leb = heart; rendered "wisdom" four times ( Pro 10:21; Pro 11:12; Pro 15:21; Pro 19:8).

(4) ’armah = shrewdness; rendered "wisdom" only in Pro 8:5; elsewhere only in Pro 1:4 rendered "subtilty"; Pro 1:12 rendered "prudence",

(5) sahal = prudence, or good sense, rendered "wisdom" once ( Pro 1:3); and

(6) sekel = insight, rendered "wisdom" ( Pro 12:8; Pro 23:9); elsewhere rendered "understanding" ( Pro 3:4; Pro 13:15; Pro 16:22), and "prudence" ( Pro 19:11). For "sound wisdom", see note on Pro 2:7.

instruction = admonition or discipline. Sometimes rendered "chastening".

words = sayings. Hebrew. ’imrah. See App-73.

understanding. Hebrew. binah. See note on "wisdom", Pro 1:2.

wisdom. Hebrew. sakal. See note on Pro 1:2 (No. 5), above.

subtilty = prudence. Same root as Gen 3:1. Compare Mat 10:16. 1Sa 23:22. Not the same word as Gen 27:35.

simple = artless, guileless, unsuspecting. Compare verses: Pro 1:22, Pro 1:32, Pro 1:7; Pro 8:5; Pro 9:4, Pro 9:16; Pro 14:15, Pro 14:18; Pro 19:25; Pro 21:11; Pro 22:3; Pro 27:12.

will hear. Illustrations: Eunuch ( Act 8:27, Act 8:39): Sergius Paulus ( Act 13:7); the Bereans ( Act 17:11, Act 17:12); Apollos ( Act 18:24-28).

the interpretation = satire, or the point of what is said. Occurs only here and Hab 2:6.

words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73.

fear = reverence. This expression occurs fourteen times in Proverbs ( Pro 1:7, Pro 1:29; Pro 2:5; Pro 8:13; Pro 9:10; Pro 10:27; Pro 14:26, Pro 14:27; Pro 15:16, Pro 15:33; Pro 16:6; Pro 19:23; Pro 22:4; Pro 23:17). See App-75.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

the beginning. And only the "beginning", not the end. It is not "wisdom" itself. True wisdom is to justify God and condemn oneself. See note on Job 28:28, and Compare Pro 9:10. Psa 111:10.

fools. Hebrew. ’evil. In this book three Hebrew words are rendered "fools": (1) ’evil = lax or careless habit of mind and body. Occurs nineteen times in Proverbs, viz. here, Pro 7:22; Pro 10:8, Pro 10:10, Pro 10:14, Pro 10:21; Pro 11:29; Pro 12:15, Pro 12:16; Pro 14:3, Pro 14:9; Pro 15:5; Pro 16:22; Pro 17:28; Pro 20:3; Pro 24:7; Pro 27:3, Pro 27:22; Pro 29:9. (2) kesil = fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety. Occurs forty-nine times in Proverbs, viz. verses: Pro 1:22, Pro 1:32, Pro 1:35; Pro 8:5; Pro 10:1, Pro 10:18, Pro 10:23; Pro 12:23; Pro 13:16, Pro 13:19, Pro 13:20; Pro 14:7, Pro 14:8, Pro 14:16, Pro 14:24, Pro 14:33; Pro 15:2, Pro 15:7, Pro 15:14, Pro 15:20; Pro 17:10, Pro 17:12, Pro 17:16, Pro 17:21, Pro 17:24, Pro 17:25; Pro 18:2, Pro 18:6, Pro 18:7; Pro 19:1, Pro 19:10, Pro 19:13, Pro 19:29; Pro 21:20; Pro 23:9; Pro 26:1, Pro 26:3, Pro 26:4, Pro 26:5, Pro 26:6, Pro 26:7, Pro 26:8, Pro 26:9, Pro 26:10, Pro 26:11, Pro 26:12; Pro 28:26; Pro 29:11, Pro 29:20; and eighteen times in Ecclesiastes. (3) nabal = a vulgar churl. Occurs only three times in Proverbs: viz. Pro 17:7, Pro 17:21; Pro 30:22; not in Ecclesiastes.

despise = have always despised, &c. Illustrations: Cain ( Gen 4:6-8); Hophni and Phinehas ( 1Sa 2:12, 1Sa 2:25); Nabal ( 1Sa 25:25); Rehoboam ( 1Ki 12:13); Athenians ( Act 17:18, Act 17:32); Jews and Greeks ( 1Co 1:18, 1Co 1:23, 1Co 1:24).

My son. See the Structure (p. 864) for the portions so addressed ( Pro 1:6, Pro 1:9, Pro 1:18; Pro 19:20-34; Pro 27:1, Pro 27:29, Pro 27:27; Pro 30:1, Pro 30:31, Pro 30:31). Occurs fifteen times in this member. hear, &c. Illustrations: Isaac ( Gen 48:15); Moses ( Heb 11:23); Samuel ( 1Sa 1:28; 1Sa 2:18; 1Sa 3:19-21); Timothy ( 2Ti 1:5; 2Ti 3:15. Act 16:1, Act 16:2).

thy father. The address is educational, this being the duty of the father, corresponding with Pro 31:1-9, as contrasted with "the words of the wise", also addressed to "my son" ( Pro 19:20, Pro 19:24, Pro 19:34; Pro 27:1, Pro 27:29, Pro 27:27).

thy mother. Compare Pro 31:1-9.

they: i.e. instruction and law.

ornament = garland.

neck. Showing cheerful and willing obedience, in contrast with stiffneckedness ( Exo 32:9) and pride ( Isa 3:16). See also Gen 41:42.

sinners. Hebrew. chata’. App-44.

Consent thou not: Illustrations: Joseph ( Gen 39:9, Gen 39:10); prophet ( 1Ki 13:8, 1Ki 13:9); Jehoshaphat ( 1Ki 22:49, contrast 2Ch 18:2; 2Ch 20:35-37); Joash ( 2Ch 24:17, 2Ch 24:18).

blood. Figure of speech Metalepsis (App-6), "blood" put for bloodshedding, and then bloodshedding put for the one whose blood was shed. See Isa 33:15.

the innocent = an innocent one (singular)

without cause. Compare Joh 15:25.

the grave. Hebrew. sheol. App-35.

pit. Hebrew. bor, a hole bored or dug. Hence a dry pit or grave. Compare Gen 37:20.

path. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syr, and Vulgate, read "paths" (plural)

their feet = they. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for the persons who run. Quoted in Rom 3:15. evil = mischief. Hebrew. rcl’a’. App-44.

in vain, &c. = it avails not. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6. The sight of the net does not deter the birds. They (emphatic) still go on to their capture and death. The next verse requires this sense. So men go on in their evil ways, though they know it is to their own ruin ( Pro 1:18).

lives = souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

owners. Hebrew. ba’al, as in Pro 1:17. The "owners" of a soul are like the "owners" of wings, and are caught in their own trap with their eyes open.

(20-33) (Note the Extended Alternation in these verses).
21. The Call made.
Expostulation of Wisdom with the simple.
Promise to hearers.
25. The Call made.
Expostulation of Wisdom with refusers.
Promise to hearers.

Wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. See note on Pro 1:2.

without. The emphasis is on the publicity of her call.

streets = open or broad places, especially about the city gates ( Deu 13:16), or open squares. Gen 19:2. Jdg 19:15, Jdg 19:20; 2Ch 29:4, &c.

saying. The Ellipsis of this verb has frequently to be supplied. See note on Psa 109:5.

love. The second feature. The first was ignorance in Pro 1:7.

Turn, &c. = Turn [and listen to] my reproof.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), to emphasize the conditional promise.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for all spiritual blessings.

refused: i.e. refused [to hear], verses: Pro 1:24-33.

I: i.e. I, Wisdom.

fear = what you fear. "Fear" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) App-6, for the calamity which produced the fear. Note the Introversion in Hebrew of "fear", "desolation", "destruction", "anguish", in verses: Pro 1:26, Pro 1:27.

desolation = tempest.

destruction = calamity.

Then, &c. Illustration: Israel ( Deu 1:45, Deu 1:46). See also Isa 1:15. Jer 11:11. Eze 8:18. Hos 5:6.

For that = Forasmuch as.

Therefore, &c. Illustrations: Israel ( Num 11:4-6;. Psa 106:13, Psa 106:14. Compare Num 11:20-23 and Psa 106:15. See also Num 14:44, Num 14:45). Under Samuel ( 1Sa 8:7, 1Sa 8:19.

shall slay them. Illustrations: Israel ( Deu 32:15-25. Hos 13:6-8); Babylon ( Isa 47:7-9); Moab ( Jer 48:11-15); Sodom ( Eze 16:49); Tyre ( Eze 28:2, Eze 28:7).

shall dwell safely. Illustrations: Noah ( Gen 6:22; Gen 7:23. Heb 11:7); Shadrach, &c. ( Dan 3:25. Psa 138:7); Daniel ( Dan 6:10, Dan 6:22. Psa 119:10); Christ’s sheep ( Joh 10:28).

evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.