Proverbs — Introduction & Outline

Proverbs was composed at the hands of different authors. The Hebrew title "Proverbs of Solomon" recognizes the main author, King Solomon. He is designated as author of the first section (chs. 1-9), the second section (10:1-22:16), and the source of the third section arranged by "the men of Hezekiah" (chs. 25-29). Solomon had a reputation as the wisest of the wisemen in ancient Israel (1 Kings 4:34; 10:1-13,24) and is credited with 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. The "men of Hezekiah" (25:1) were evidently a group of scribes or wisemen under King Hezekiah who copied Solomon's proverbs.

Two other authors are named in Proverbs. Agur is the author of chapter 30, and Lemuel of chapter 31 (though 31:10-31 is sometimes considered another's work). Virtually nothing is known of these two men. Some have suggested, with no good evidence, that these names are aliases for Solomon. An anonymous section, 22:17-24:34, is thought by some to be a reproduction of the sayings of Amenemope of Egypt (dated somewhere between 1000 and 600 B.C.) because of similarities, but it cannot be proved whether they were obtained from him or whether they were copied by him from the Hebrews.

Solomon probably wrote his proverbs during the middle of his reign, or about 950 B.C. Agur and Lemuel could have lived then or somewhat later. Hezekiah's men wrote during that king's reign (729-686 B.C.) and are likely candidates for the final compilation of Proverbs.

The book of Proverbs is not historical material, but consists of topical maxims. This kind of wisdom literature also existed in Egypt and surrounding Mesopotamian countries at that time. Its appeal was to all men because it dealt with many ordinary areas of life. The biblical proverbs, however, elevate themselves above other works by their emphasis on godly righteousness and the fear of the Lord.

When Solomon wrote his proverbs, Israel was at its political, religious, and economic peaks. His era was a time of devotion to God encouraged by the completion of the temple. Hezekiah's reign was also a spiritual high point which came after a time of idolatry.

The frequent address to "my son" or "my sons" has led some to believe the Proverbs were originally used to teach students in a school for wisemen (cf. Jer. 18:18; Eze. 7:26). Yet the presence of the mother's instruction (1:8; 6:20; 23:19,22-26) show that the setting could have been at home.

The purpose for the book appears in 1:2-6. From this passage, it can be summarized that the purpose of Proverbs was to impart moral discernment and wisdom to its readers. Wisdom refers to skillful living which finds its motivation and goal in the "fear of the LORD" (1:7). A proverb, or mashal refers to a general principle that is true in most cases, and thus could be relied upon to guide one's life.

Proverbs is divided into a prologue and six sections each designated by author or compilers. The sections are arranged within the book with some indication of design. With subsections and individual proverbs it is much harder to discern any order or arrangement.

The Solomonic prologue (1:1-7) well introduces not only his first section (1:8-9:18) but the entire book by defining the purpose of Proverbs. Proverbs was written to impart wisdom for skillful living in the fear of the Lord.

Solomon's first section (1:8-9:18) then extolls wisdom and argues for the importance of obtaining it. The section begins negatively with a warning to resist the enticement of sinners and avoid their ways (1:8-19). Next, wisdom is pictured making a public appeal and declaring the consequences of its rejection or reception (1:20-33). Solomon then encourages a diligent search for wisdom as he enumerates the benefits of wisdom and its value as a safeguard from evil (2:1-22). Obedience to Solomon's commands is rewarded with wisdom; its value shown in some practical applications (3:1-35). Wisdom is also depicted as a desireable family treasure which should be pursued diligently (4:1-27). Furthermore, wisdom guards against adultery (5:1- 23).

Solomon's first set of proverbs continues with a series of warnings on the pitfalls of the unwary (6:1-7:27). Several practices are scorned as folly: suretyship (6:1-5), idleness (6:6- 11), deceit (6:12-19), and adultery (6:20-35). The last is expanded into an explanation of the craftiness of the seductive woman and warnings to avoid her (7:1-27). A more positive section follows where personified wisdom proclaims her excellence (8:1-36). Wisdom is presented as the very moral fabric that undergirds the creation (8:22-31). The final presentation of Solomon in this section relates the rival invitations of wisdom and folly (9:1-18).

A second section designated as "The Proverbs of Solomon" (10:1-22:16) forms the largest portion of the book and is a conglomeration of assorted proverbs. The only noticeable division occurs between the mostly antithetical proverbs (10:1-15:33) and the mostly synonymous proverbs (16:1-22:16). These proverbs continue imparting wisdom on a wide variety of topics and circumstances relevant to ordinary life.

A third section, usually labeled "The Sayings of the Wise" (22:17-24:34), is anonymous. It appears to be composed of thirty various sayings (22:17-24:22) with an addendum of further sayings (24:23-34; cf. 24:23). Again, these proverbs address many different areas of life.

The proverbs of Solomon collected by Hezekiah's men form another division of the book (25:1-29:27). The first half of this section contains proverbs about various relationships with people (25:2-26:28): kings (25:1-7), neighbors (25:8-20), enemies (25:21-24), one's self (25:25-28), fools (26:1-12), sluggards (26:13-16), and gossips (26:17-28). The second half concerns various aspects of conduct (27:1-29:27).

The words of Agur appear next (30:1-33). These sayings appear to be separated by those dealing with the knowledge of God (30:2-9) and those which group together observations about certain aspects of life (30:1-33). As such they are not as direct and admonishing as Solomon's.

The book closes with the words of Lemuel (31:1-31), unless he is not the author of the acrostic poem (31:10-31). His words reflect the advice of his mother regarding the behavior of kings (31:2-9). Proverbs closes with a tribute to the virtuous woman (31:10-31) who appropriately embodies the virtues of wisdom. Wisdom is presented throughout the book as something desireable and essential to a full and rewarding life, and it is actually imparted through the many sayings.

1. The Prologue 1:1-7

   1. The author 1:1
   2. The purpose 1:2-6
   3. The theme: The fear of the Lord and wisdom 1:7
2. The Discourses of Solomon Extolling Wisdom 1:8-9:18

   1. Warning about the enticement of sinners 1:8-19

      1. Advice to accept the teaching of parents 1:8-9
      2. Warning to resist the enticement of sinners 1:10-15
      3. Reasons to avoid the way of sinners 1:16-19
   2. Wisdom's appeal often ignored 1:20-33

      1. The public appeal to turn to wisdom 1:20-23
      2. Wisdom laughing in the day of calamity 1:24-28
      3. The consequences of rejecting and accepting wisdom 1:29-33
   3. The value of wisdom as a safeguard 2:1-22

      1. The encouragement to search for wisdom 2:1-5
      2. The Lord as the source of wisdom 2:6-9
      3. The benefits of finding wisdom 2:10-20
      1. Deliverance from evil men 2:10-15
      2. Deliverance from the immoral woman 2:16-20
      4. The contrasting destinies of the upright and wicked 2:21-22
   4. The reward of wisdom for obedience 3:1-35

      1. The advice to obey the commandments 3:1-12
      2. The delights of gaining wisdom 3:13-20
      3. The application of practical wisdom 3:21-35
      1. The security of adhering to wisdom 3:21-26
      2. The application with a neighbor 3:27-30
      3. The application with an oppressor 3:31-35
   5. Wisdom as a family treasure to be followed 4:1-27

      1. Wisdom as life's principle pursuit 4:1-9
      2. The two ways of life 4:10-19
      1. The way of wisdom 4:10-13
      2. The way of wickedness 4:14-17
      3. The two ways in contrast 4:18-19
      3. Advice to diligently follow wisdom 4:20-27
   6. Wisdom as a safeguard against adultery 5:1-23

      1. The plea to attend to wisdom 5:1-6
      2. The warning to avoid the immoral woman 5:7-14
      3. The plea for fidelity in marriage 5:15-20
      4. The consequences of immorality 5:21-23
   7. Wisdom's warning of the pitfalls of the unwary 6:1-7:27

      1. The folly of suretyship 6:1-5
      2. The folly of idleness 6:6-11
      3. The folly of deceit 6:12-19

         1. The deceitful man 6:12-15
         2. Six deceitful things the Lord hates 6:16-19
      4. The folly of adultery 6:20-35

         1. The preventative of the parents' advice 6:20-24
         2. The warning against lusting 6:25-29
         3. The punishment for adultery 6:30-35
      5. The craftiness of the seductress 7:1-27

         1. Wisdom's protection from the seductress 7:1-5
         2. The simpleton's encounter with the seductress 7:6-23
         3. Concluding advice to avoid the seductress 7:24-27
   8. Wisdom's proclamation of its excellence 8:1-36

      1. Wisdom cries out to all. 8:1-3
      2. Wisdom extols her virtues. 8:4-21

         1. The uprightness of wisdom's instruction 8:4-11
         2. The rewards of wisdom 8:12-21
      3. Wisdom declares her role in creation. 8:22-31
      4. Wisdom appeals to obtain her blessing. 8:32-36
3. The rival invitations of wisdom and folly 9:1-18

   1. The invitation of wisdom 9:1-12
   2. The invitation of folly 9:13-18
4. The Proverbs of Solomon 10:1-22:16

   1. Mostly contrasting proverbs 10:1-15:33
   2. Mostly synonymous proverbs 16:1-22:16
5. The Sayings of the Wise 22:17-24:34

   1. Thirty sayings of the wise 22:17-24:22
   2. Further sayings of the wise 24:23-34
6. The Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah's Men 25:1-29:27

   1. The introduction 25:1
   2. The main text 25:1-29:27
   1. Proverbs for various relationships 25:2-26:28

      1. Relationships with kings 25:1-7
      2. Relationships with neighbors 25:8-20
      3. Relationships with enemies 25:21-24
      4. Relationships with one's self 25:25-28
      5. Relationships with fools 26:1-12
      6. Relationships with sluggards 26:13-16
      7. Relationships with gossips 26:17-28
   2. Proverbs for various aspects of conduct 27:1-29:27
7. The Words of Agur 30:1-33

   1. The introduction 30:1
   2. The main text 30:2-33
   1. Knowledge of God 30:2-9
   2. Observations about life 30:10-33
8. The Words of King Lemuel 31:1-31

   1. The introduction 31:1
   2. The main text 31:2-31
   1. The advice for kings 31:2-9
   2. The acrostic on the virtuous wife 31:10-31