Introduction to the Book of Proverbs [Theology 101]

by Andrew Kim PhD

The Hebrew Bible has three sections: the Law, Prophets, and Writings.

• The Law contains the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The Prophets is made up of eight books divided into the Former Prophets and the Latter Prophets.
• The Writings consists of religious poetry and wisdom literature, such as Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Song of Songs. So, Proverbs is found within the Writings section of the Old Testament.

Setting of Proverbs

Now, there is not a consensus on the original settings for Proverbs. However, there are three possible settings from which these ancient Israelite wisdom principles came: the family, the royal scribes and counselors, and the religious scribes who studied God’s word.

• Some passages in Proverbs imply a family context since it addresses its reader as “my son” and urges him to listen to the teachings of his father and mother (Proverbs 1:8).

• Other passages can be attributed to King Solomon implying that the royal court may have been the source of these passages (Proverbs 25:1).

• While other passages reiterate principles from God’s law suggesting a religious scribe wrote these passages.

Structure of Proverbs

We know the structure of Proverbs based on the differed subscriptions given throughout the book.

The first section, Proverbs 1-9, begins with this subscription: The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel (Proverbs 1:1), revealing that it is a compilation of different proverbs authored by Solomon.

Then, the next section, Proverbs 10-22:16, begins with this subscription: the proverbs of Solomon (Proverbs 10:1), showing that it is more compilations of Solomon’s proverbs.

Then, the following section, Proverbs 22:17–24:22, transitions to differing “sayings of the wise,” referring to general wisdom principles from ancient Israel.

The next section, Proverbs 24:23–34, continues with more “sayings of the wise.”

Then Proverbs 25–29 begins with this subscription: These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied (Proverbs 25:1).
Then, we come to Proverbs 30, which contains the “words of Agur.” Then the book of proverbs concludes with the words of King Lemuel in Proverbs 31.

Purpose of Proverbs

It is to show us God’s righteousness in everyday life.

Overview of Proverbs

Proverbs 1-9 provides parental advice to children. The speaker is a father speaking to his son. The readers, like sons, must choose between upholding the values given by the father that preserve society or follow a different path that creates instability. The father explains different dangers for young men, especially the desire to get rich quickly through criminal activity and being seduced by sexual pleasure. The father reinforces his own authority by appealing to God’s authority to discipline his children. Although we never hear a mother’s voice, we do hear from the voice of wisdom who is personified as woman. The voice of Wisdom comes to support the father’s voice by warning the son of different types of women and their sexual advances. Together, the father and the voice of wisdom encourage the son to direct their impulses toward their own wives and to pursue knowledge that comes from God.

The next section, Proverbs 10–22:16 consists of brief observations about life. The sayings in this section does not have direct commandments, as was the case with Proverbs 1-9, but statements of truth based on observations. These observations comment on human behavior and the motives behind them. For example, we see observations regarding the importance of a wink (Proverbs 16:30), the effectiveness of a bribe (Proverbs 17:8), how generous people act compared to stingy people (Proverbs 11:24), the need to look beneath the surface of things (Proverbs 13:7), the loneliness of the heart during times of grief or joy (Proverbs 14:10), and how laughter can cover sadness (Proverbs 14:13).

Then, the next section, Proverbs 22:17–24:22, we see wisdom sayings that mirror earlier Egyptian wise instruction, particularly from the writings of Amenemopet. This implies that the author may have drawn upon earlier literary tradition, including Egyptian literature. Interestingly, there are thirty sayings, in this section, which may echo the thirty chapters of Amenemopet.

Proverbs 24:23-34, focuses on issues of justice in society and advice on priorities regarding major projects, such as building a house, and encourages nonretaliation for offenses. This section overlaps with Proverbs 6:6-11 when talking about the attributes of a lazy person.

The next section, Proverbs 25–29:27, comment on those within the royal court and society at large are to act to maintain civility. The opening section (Proverbs 25:2-10), comments the different functions of God and king and how their court should act. Then, the remaining sayings apply broadly to Israelite society. For example, we see instructions that those who serve the king must report facts with accuracy. Also, people in general must learn self-discipline, the right time to act, and the need to speak during important moments. We see comments on the dangers of initiating violence and the advantage of intellectual discussion. The concluding section, Proverbs 27:23–27, goes back to the royal court and comments on how wealth and the crown will not last forever. Thus, a ruler is to maintain justice, which is illustrated with the contrasting conditions of the rich and poor in Proverbs 28-29, that he must address.

This leads to Proverbs 30:1–14, where we come to the words of Agur. Agur reflects by saying that he is stupid in comparison to God (Proverbs 30:2-5). Agur knows that true wisdom only comes from God. God is in heaven, and he alone controls the heavens and the earth (Proverbs 30:4). Thus, there are certain questions that only God can answer, according to Agur. In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur asks that lies be far from him and then asks that he be neither rich nor poor. He asks for a modest life since being too rich might cause him to deny God and being too poor may tempt him to steal. Then, he lists out different types of people who can negatively affect society, such as children who curse their parents (Proverbs 30:11), or those who are arrogant (Proverbs 30:13), or those with ungodly speech (Proverbs 30:14).

Proverbs 30:15-33 continues with three observations regarding the different types of people who negatively affect society. Those who disrespect their parents will suffer (Proverbs 30:17), adulteresses who is not aware of her offenses will remain pure in her own eyes (Proverbs 30:32), and a violent person’s need to control his anger (Proverbs 30:33).

Then, we come to the final chapter, Proverbs 31. We see that these are words given King Lemuel by his mother regarding righteousness, as depicted by two people. The first person is a picture of a just king. This king, with his power, is to advocate for the vulnerable and whose voices are unheard (Proverbs 31:1-9). The next person, a merciful woman, is highlighted with her work, status, and wealth (Proverbs 31:10-31). The purpose of her hard work, status, and wealth, is so that she can bless others, including her family, servants, and show mercy to the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:20). These same poor and needy people the women give mercy to are the same people the just king protects and speaks out for. So, this woman complements the king where he does justice using his power and she shows mercy using her status, wealth, and hard work. With Proverbs 31, we see a summary picture of righteousness where justice and mercy are two sides of the same coin that is illustrated through a just king and a merciful woman.

Dr. Andrew Kim received his B.A. in Religious Studies from U.C. Berkeley, M.Div and Th.M from The Master's Seminary, and his Ph.D in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Multinational Kingdom in Isaiah and the creator of Theology 101, a YouTube channel committed to teaching Christian theology in everyday language.