Sharing Your Faith

Spread The Word Ministries Home
Words of Wisdom From the Book of Proverbs

Prologue

The Bible was written primarily to show mankind how to be transformed and restored to fellowship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible was also written to show transformed sinners how to live a life pleasing to God. Instruction of this type may be found throughout the Scriptures, but it is the main theme of the book of Proverbs.

The book of Proverbs is a book of contrasts. It not only imparts godly advice but it also warns, by graphic example, of the consequences of building a life that leaves God out. Like hard candy, the book of Proverbs needs to be savored long after the first taste.

God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, knows all things. Therefore, His wisdom should be received as true teaching and valuable instruction. When a person reading the book of Proverbs is warned of a path to be avoided, he or she should heed that warning and steer clear of such a path. A follower of Christ does not have to learn everything the hard way by tasting the bitter fruits of poor decisions and/or sinful acts! In contrast, when the book of Proverbs describes a particular path to be followed, that is where the man or woman in fellowship with God should be walking!

The book of Proverbs has been described by some as "the Ten Commandments in shoe leather." In the words of C.H. Bullock, ...[the book of Proverbs] "distills the theological substance of the Old Testament religion into its practical essence." Toward this end, this non-technical introduction may be used as a guide for the new Christian who desires to conform his or her new life in Christ to the "working ethic" of the pious OT saint and early Christian.

Perhaps you've already taken the first steps in your life-long journey toward Christlikeness and sanctification. If so, may God bless you as you continue your pursuit of truth, wisdom, and holiness!

Introduction

At first glance the book of Proverbs might appear to be nothing more than a dis-unified collection of sayings. True, it was Israel's repository of wise sayings covering an extensive field of topics, but it was not assembled as hap-hazardly as it might first appear. Rather, the book of Proverbs was organized in sections by various authors and collectors of ancient wisdom.

By working through the book of Proverbs systematically and looking for biblical themes along the way, the "gospel" of the OT can be clearly discerned throughout the entire book.

Date, Authorship, and Purpose

The book of Proverbs is a compilation of timeless wisdom collected over an approximate period of just over three centuries rather than a book which was written at one particular point in time. In all likelihood the first proverbs of Solomon were recorded in Judah, late in the 10th century B.C.. Continuing in the same tradition other "words" of wisdom, written by perhaps many inspired authors, were recorded. Finally, at a date sometime after the reign of Hezekiah (about 696 B.C.), the book of Proverbs was compiled by pious Hebrew scribes in an arrangement somewhat like the proposed outline in the next section.

As to the purpose of the book of Proverbs, we find it clearly stated in the opening verses (1:2-6),

             "To know wisdom and instruction,
                   to perceive the words of understanding,
              To receive the instruction of wisdom,
                   justice, judgment, and equity;
              To give prudence to the simple,
                   to the young man knowledge and discretion--
             A wise man will hear and increase learning,
                  And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
              To understand a proverb and an enigma,
                  the words of the wise and their riddles."

Outline of the Book of Proverbs

1. Instructions On Wisdom and Foolishness (1:1-9:18)

     A.   Title and Introduction (1:1-6)
     B.   The Meaning of Wisdom (1:7)
     C.   Prologue In Praise of Wisdom (1:8-9:18)

2. The First Set of Solomonic Proverbs (10:1-22:16)

3. The Sayings of The Wise (22:17-24:34)

A. The Words of the First Group (22:17-24:22)
B. The Words of the Second Group (24:23-34)

4. Hezekiah's Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (25:1-29:27)

5. The Sayings of Agur and Lemuel (30:1-31:31)

    A.   The Words of Agur (30:1-33)
    B.   The Words of King Lemuel (31:1-31)

             1.   A mother's utterance to her son (31:1-9)
             2.   An acrostic in praise of the virtuous wife (31:10-31)

The Theology of the Book of Proverbs

Of The Nature of God...

1. He is The Creator of the Universe

    A.   He created the heavens and earth (3:19-20; 30:4)
    B.   He created all men (14:31; 22:2)
    C.   Even the wicked for the day of doom (16:4)

2. He is All Powerful (Omnipotent)

    A.   He controls the weather (3:20)
    B.   He bends the will of kings (21:1)
    C.   He preserves His people (2:7-8; 10:3,29; 18:10)
    D.   He even directs their steps (16:9)

3. He is All Knowing (Omniscient)

    A.   His "eyes" are everywhere, "beholding the evil and the good" (15:3)
    B.   He knows the ways of Hell and Destruction (15:11)
    C.   He knows the thoughts and hearts of men (15:11,21; 16:2; 20:27)

4. He is Holy

    A.   Twice He is called "the Holy One" (9:10; 30:3)
    B.   He hates sin and deception (6:16-19; 12:2,22; 20:10)
    C.   He desires righteousness before sacrifice (15:8-9; 21:3)
    D.   His word is pure and final (30:5-6)

5. He is a Righteous Judge

    A.   He weighs the hearts of men (15:11; 21:2)
    B.   He shall vindicate the righteous (15:25; 22:22-23)
    C.   He will destroy the wicked (16:4-5)

6. He is the Source of Divine Wisdom

    A. He is the source of all truth (21:30)
    B. To fear [revere] Him is the beginning of knowledge (1:7)
    C. He extends wisdom to those who seek it (2:5-6; 8:1-11,17)

Of the Nature of Mankind...

1. Mankind is the Crown of God's Creative Activity (8:30-31)

2. Man May at Times Reflect His Creator's Nature

    A. He may show mercy (11:17; 12:10)
    B. He may show generosity (11:24-26)
    C. He may seek godly wisdom (2:1-5)
    D. He may even lead a pious life (21:21; 22:11; 28:5; 31:10-31)

3. Even So, Man is Still a Sinner (20:9)

    A. He can be foolish (26:1-11)
    B. He can be wise in his own eyes (26:12)
    C. He can be stubborn (27:22; 29:19)
    D. He can be proud, haughty (16:5,18)
    E. He can be very deceitful, perverse (6:12-14)
    F. He may despise God's wisdom (1:7)

5. Man is Separated From His Creator

He is in need of a sacrifice (15:8-9; 21:3)

Of God's Plan of Redemption...

The Remedy

A. For the OT believer

1. To exercise faith in God's revealed word (13:13-14)
2. To offer one's sacrifices in righteousness (15:8-9; 21:3)

B. For the NT believer

1. To exercise faith in God's revealed word (John 1:10-13)
2. Realize that God has provided the ultimate sacrifice (John 1:29)

The Practical Wisdom of the Book of Proverbs

This section is a non-technical classification of verses indexed to various everyday topics. The topical index
and definitions which follow may be easily grasped by a new Christian, and still prove valuable to a mature
believer as well.

The verses under each topic heading are arranged in successive order to facilitate an easy flow through the
entire book of Proverbs. Several readers have commented over the years that this index has been a helpful
resource in training-up children and young adults in the faith and moral values of their parents. I hope you,
too, will find it useful!

Abomination(s)—things utterly repulsive to God

11:1, 20; 12:22; 13:19; 15:8-9, 26; 16:5, 12; 17:15;
20:10; 21:27; 24:9; 26:24-25; 28:9; 29:27

Adultery—sexual intercourse outside of marriage
(also see People, The Harlot)

5:15-20

Adversity—difficult and unpleasant circumstances

17:3, 17; 24:10

Anger

12:16; 14:17, 29; 15:1, 18; 16:32; 19:19; 20:2;
22:8, 24-25; 27:3-4; 29:8, 11, 22; 30:33

Animals

12:10

Anxiety—a disturbed state of mind brought on by real or imaginary fears

12:25

Arguing

15:18, 23; 17:14; 18:23; 20:3; 21:33; 26:2, 17; 29:9

Backsliding—to turn away from God after conversion

14:14

Behavior

5:21; 20:11

Boasting

25:14; 27:1

Bribery

17:8; 18:16; 21:14; 29:4

Business—the work one does; trade, commerce
(also see Integrity; Money; Laziness)

22:19; 28:8; 31:14-18

Cheating

11:1; 20:17, 23

Cheerfulness

15:15; 17:22

Children
(Also See Correction; Discipline)

3:12; 10:1, 5; 13:1, 24; 15:5, 20; 17:2, 6, 17; 19:13, 18, 26;
20:11, 20, 29; 22:15; 23:13, 24-25; 29:3, 15; 30:11-14, 17

Christian Activism—(1) to actively object to, challenge, or oppose moral
evil or that which is in opposition to what one believes the Bible teaches.
(2) to actively promote or advocate that which is in agreement with what
one believes the Bible teaches

24:24-25; 28:4

Confession—admitting a fault or sin

28:13

Confidence
(also see Trust)

1:32-33; 3:25-26, 32; 14:26

Conscience
(also see Heart)

20:27; 24:12

Contention

    11:12; 13:2, 10; 15:18; 16:28; 17:1, 14, 19; 18:6-7, 19;
    19:13; 20:1, 3; 21:9, 19; 22:10; 23:29-35; 25:23-24;
    26:2, 17, 20-22; 27:15-16; 28:25; 29:8, 9, 22

Corporal Punishment

20:30; 22:15; 23:13; 29:15, 19

Correction
(also see Children; Discipline)

3:12; 22:15; 23:13; 29:17;

Counsel/Advice
(also see Guidance)

11:14; 12:5, 15, 20; 15:22-23; 18:1; 20:5, 18;
19:20-21; 20:5, 18; 21:30; 23:12; 24:5-6

Criticism
(also see Discipline, Rebuke)

Debts
(also see Pledges)

3:27-28

Deceit

9:17; 10:2, 10; 11:1, 18; 12:17, 20; 14:22; 16:11, 29-30;
17:20; 20:10, 14, 17, 23; 24:8; 27:6, 23-27; 31:30

Decisions
(also see Guidance; Counseling)

16:33; 18:18

Discretion
(see Prudence)

Diligence
(also see Work)

12:11, 27; 13:4; 20:13; 21:5; 27:23-27, 28:19

Discernment

3:21-24; 15:21; 18:13; 28:7

Discipline
(also see Rebuke)

3:11-12; 13:18; 15:10,12,31-33; 16:22; 19:18;
20:30; 21:11; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17, 19

Dishonesty
(also see Deceit)

13:11; 15:27; 19:1; 21:6

Disputing
(also see Arguing)

25:8-10; 29:9

Enemies

15:18; 16:7; 24:17-18; 25:21-23; 27:6

Envy

3:31-32; 14:30; 23:1-3, 6-8, 17; 24:1-2, 19-20; 27:4, 7; 30:15

Faith/Faithfulness

3:3-4; 25:13

Fear

In General...

10:24; 24:19-20; 29:25

Of The Lord...

8:13, 13:13-14; 14:2, 26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23;
22:4; 23:17-18; 24:21-22; 28:14; 29:25; 31:30

Fools/Foolishness
(see People)

Forgiveness

17:9; 19:11

Frankness

28:23

Friends/Friendship

    1:10-14; 12:26; 15:17; 16:28; 17:9, 17-18; 18:1, 19, 24;
    19:4, 6-7; 22:5, 24, 25; 23:6-8, 19-21; 24:21-22; 25:20;
    27:6, 9-10, 14, 17; 28:7; 29:3, 24

Generosity

11:24-26; 13:7; 21:25-26; 22:9; 28:27

Giving

3:9-10; 13:7

Godliness
(also see Piety)

11:30-31; 14:34

Government—recognized authority or rulership (see Leadership)

Greed

15:27; 21:17, 25-26; 22:28; 23:10-11; 25:16; 27:20; 30:15

Guidance
(also see Counsel/Advice)

16:1, 3, 9, 33; 19:21; 20:18, 24

Happiness

15:13, 15, 27, 30; 28:12

Hatred

10:12; 15:17; 26:23-26

Heart, The
(also see Thoughts)

    4:20-23; 10:3,24; 13:9, 12, 19; 14:10, 13-14, 30, 33;
    15:7, 11, 13-15, 30; 16:2, 5, 9, 23; 17:3, 16, 20, 22; 18:2,12,14-15;
    19:3,21; 20:5,27,30; 21:2,4,25-26; 24:1-2,12; 27:19

Holiness
(also see Piety)

Honesty

20:6, 14; 28:6, 18

Hope

13:12; 24:13-14

Humility

11:2; 12:9; 15:33; 16:8, 19, 33; 18:12; 22:4;
25:6-7, 27; 27:2; 29:23; 30:1-9, 32-33

Instruction
(also see Learning)

1:2-7; Chapts.4-5; 8:32-33; 10:17; 12:1; 13:1;
15:32-33; 19:20, 27; 22:6, 17-21; 23:12, 22; 27:11; 28:10

Integrity

10:9; 11:3; 20:7; 28:6-8

Judgment
(also see Justice)

5:21; 6:16-19; 15:11, 25; 16:2, 4-5, 10; 17:13, 15, 26;
18:5, 17; 19:29; 20:8; 21:2, 15; 22:22-23; 24:12, 23-24; 25:2

Justice

3:27; 13:23; 15:3, 11; 16:8; 17:23; 19:28; 21:7, 15; 24:11;
28:5, 21; 29:26; 31:4-5, 8-9

Kindness

3:3-4; 19:22; 25:21-22

Knowledge
(also see Wisdom)

8:10; 24:5

Laziness

6:6-11; 10:4, 26; 12:24, 27; 10:26; 13:4; 15:19; 16:26; 18:9;
19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25-26; 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-16

Leadership

14:28, 34-35; 16:10, 12-15; 19:12; 20:2, 8, 26, 28; 21:1; 25:4-5;
28:2, 12, 15-16, 28; 29:2, 4, 12, 14, 16, 26; 31:1-5

Learning
(also see Instruction)

1:5-9; 4:5; 12:11; 15:23; 16:21, 23; 18:15; 22:6

Lying/Liars
(see Speech)

Love

10:12; 15:17; 17:9; 27:5

Marriage
(also see Wives)

24:27

Meddling

26:17

Mercy

11:17; 12:10; 14:21-22, 31; 16:6; 20:28; 21:13, 21; 28:13

Mocking

3:33-35; 14:9; 15:12, 14; 22:10

Money

    3:9-10; 11:4, 16, 24-30; 13:8, 11; 14:20, 24; 15:6; 16:8, 16;
    18:11, 16; 19:4, 10, 14; 20:21; 21:6; 22:1, 16; 23:4-5;
    24:4; 27:24; 28:6, 8, 11, 20, 22; 30:8-9

Morale

15:15

Murder

28:17

Neighbors

3:27-30; 14:20-21; 16:29; 18:19; 21:10; 24:28-29;
25:8-10, 17, 18; 26:18-19; 27:10; 29:5

Obedience

1:8-9; 3:1; 4:1; 6:20-23; 16:20; 19:16; 28:7

Order

14:4; 24:27

Parents

1:8-9; 10:1; 15:20; 17:6, 21, 25; 19:13, 26; 20:20;
22:28; 23:22, 24-25; 28:24; 30:17

Patience

25:15

Peace

3:13-17; 17:1; 21:9; 29:8

People

The Elderly...

16:31; 17:6; 19:20; 20:29

The Fool (also see “The Simple”)...

     9:13-18; 10:1, 8, 10, 13, 18, 21, 23, 25; 11:29; 12:15-16, 23;
     13:16, 19-20; 14:1, 3, 6-9, 15-18, 24, 33; 15:5, 7, 14, 20-21;
     17:10, 12, 16, 21; 18:2, 6-7; 19:1, 3, 10, 13, 29; 20:3; 21:16, 20;
     22:15; 23:9; 26:11-12; 24:7,9; 26:1, 3-12; 27:3, 22; 28:26;
     29:9, 11; 30:21-23

The Poor (also see Poverty)...

10:15; 13:8, 23; 14:20-21, 31; 17:5; 18:23; 19:1, 4, 7, 17, 22;
21:13, 17; 22:7, 9, 16, 22; 28:3, 6, 11, 15, 27; 29:7, 13; 31:8-9

The Simple...

1:22, 32; 7:6-23; 9:4-6; 11:12; 14:15, 18; 15:21; 17:18;
19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12

The Sluggard (see Laziness)

The Upright...

In General...

    2:7-8, 21; 3:34-35; 9:8-9; 10:7, 11, 20-21, 25, 28-32; 11:3-11;
    12:2-28; 13:5-6, 21-22, 25; 14:2, 9, 11, 14, 22, 32; 15:6, 8-9, 19, 24, 26, 28-29;
    16:17; 17:10; 18:10; 21:8, 18, 26, 29; 24:15-16; 25:26; 28:1; 29:6-7

The Wise...

21:11, 20, 22; 24:5-6; 29:8, 11

The Wicked...

In General...

    1:10-19, 22; 2:12-19, 22; 3:31-32; 4:16-19; 5:22-23; 6:12-15; 10:7, 9, 11, 20, 24, 27-32;
    11:3, 5-11, 18; 12:2-28; 13:5-6, 21-22, 25; 14:2, 11, 22, 32; 15:6, 8-9, 26, 28-29; 16:4;
    17:4, 11, 23; 18:3, 5; 19:22, 28; 20:26; 21:4, 7, 10, 18, 27, 29; 22:5, 12; 26:23-26; 28:1, 5; 29:6

Scoffers...

9:7-8, 12; 13:1; 14:6; 15:12; 17:21; 19:25, 29; 21:11, 24; 22:10; 29:8

Women...

In General...

11:16; 14:1; 21:9, 19; 25:24; 27:15-16; 30:21-23; 31:1-3

The Harlot...

2:16-19; 5:1-14; 7:4-27; 9:13-18; 22:14; 23:26-28; 30:20

Wives...

5:15-19; 12:4; 18:22; 19:13-14; 30:21-23; 31:10-31

Persecution—to afflict, oppress, or torment another being

29:10

Piety—living a holy life
(also see Fear, -Of The Lord)

1:7; 2:1-5; 8:17; 15:8-9; 16:3, 7, 20; 19:16, 22; 20:9;
21:3, 21; 22:11; 25:21-22; 28:5, 14, 18; 29:18; 30:1-9; 31:30

Planning

13:16, 19; 14:8, 22; 16:1, 9; 21:31; 22:3; 27:12; 28:24-27

Poor, The
(see People)

Poverty

10:15; 13:18; 14:23; 15:16-17; 16:8; 20:4, 13; 21:5; 22:16;
23:21; 24:30-34; 28:19, 22; 31:6-7

Prayer

28:9

Pride

3:7-8, 33-34; 11:2; 13:10; 14:3; 15:25; 16:5, 18-19;
17:12, 19; 21:4, 24; 26:12; 28:25; 29:23

Promises, Pledges
(also see Surety)

6:1-5; 11:15; 12:22; 17:18; 20:16, 25; 27:13

Prosperity

3:1-2, 9-10, 13-18; 8:12-21; 10:2-3, 15, 22; 13:11; 14:23;
15:16-17; 16:16; 20:7; 21:5; 22:4; 24:3-4; 28:8, 13, 20, 25

Protection

10:29; 15:3; 16:7; 18:10; 19:23

Prudence

2:10-13; 8:12; 12:16, 23; 13:16; 14:8, 15, 18; 15:5;
16:21; 18:15; 19:11; 22:3; 25:8-10; 27:12

Questioning

25:2

Rebellion

14:3, 9; 15:20; 17:11, 14, 16, 25; 18:2; 19:13; 30:11-14

Rebuke

10:17; 12:1; 13:1, 18; 15:10, 12, 31; 17:10; 19:25; 21:11;
24:23-25; 25:11-12; 27:5, 22; 28:23; 29:1

Religious Hypocrisy

7:13-15; 11:9

Replying

15:1; 24:26

Reproof
(see Rebuke)

Reputation

22:1; 27:21

Retribution

11:31; 12:7-8; 13:25; 14:32, 34-35; 15:3, 25;
17:5, 11, 13; 19:29; 20:17; 21:7; 28:8

Revenge
(also see Retribution)

2:21-22; 11:31; 20:22; 24:28-29

Reverence
(see Fear -Of The Lord; Piety)

Rewards

8:32-36; 18:6; 19:17; 25:21-22; 27:18

Riddles, Age Old

17:16; 20:9, 24; 25:3; 30:18-19

Righteousness

16:12-13, 31; 21:21

Saving

21:20

Self Control

Over Speech...

13:3; 15:1; 17:28; 18:13; 21:33; 25:15

Over Anger...

14:17, 29; 15:1, 18; 16:32; 19:11, 19

Over One's Spirit...

16:32; 19:2; 25:16, 28; 29:11

Selfishness
(see Generosity; Giving)

Sloth, The
(see Laziness)

Sorrow

18:14; 22:8; 23:29-35

Speech

In General...

   4:24; 8:13; 10:14, 18-21, 31-32; 12:6, 14, 17-23 ,25; 13:2-3, 17; 14:3 ,7 ,23;
    15:1-2 ,4, 7, 14, 23, 26, 28, 30; 16:23, 27-30; 17:4, 20, 27-28; 18:4, 6-7, 13, 21;
    19:1; 21:23; 22:12; 23:9; 24:1-2; 25:23; 29:20

Flattery...

26:28; 28:23; 29:5-6

Good Words...

15:4, 7, 30; 16:1, 21, 23-24; 17:7; 18:20; 20:15; 22:11, 17-18; 24:26; 25:11-13, 15, 25

Gossip...

4:24; 11:13; 14:15; 16:28; 17:9; 18:8; 20:19; 25:23; 26:20, 22

Lying...

6:12-13; 12:13, 17, 19, 22; 13:5; 14:5, 25; 17:4, 7; 19:5, 9;
21:6, 28; 24:28-29; 25:14, 18; 26:18-19, 28

Rumors...

14:15

Stealing

12:12

Strife
(see Contention)

Teaching

15:2; 16:21; 19:27; 22:3

Temptation

1:10-15; 4:26-27

Thankfulness

20:12

Thoughts
(also see Heart)

12:5; 13:9; 15:26; 16:3

Transience, or Transiency

27:8

Trust

3:5-9; 11:28; 16:3, 20; 20:24; 22:17-19; 25:19; 29:25; 31:11

Truth, Truthfulness

3:3-5; 12:14, 17, 19; 14:5, 22, 25; 20:28; 21:30; 23:23; 29:14, 24

Understanding
(see Wisdom/Knowledge)

Violence

1:16-19; 10:6; 21:7

Wisdom/Knowledge

True Wisdom...

    1:20-33; 2:1-22; 3:1; 8:1-9:12; 10:13-14; 11:12; 12:8; 13:10,13-16, 20;
    14:6-9, 24, 29, 33; 15:7, 14, 31-33; 16:16, 22-23; 17:24, 27; 18:2, 4, 15; 19:2, 8;
    21:30; 23:15-16, 23; 24:3-4, 13-14; 30:24-28

False Wisdom...

3:7-8; 14:12; 16:25; 18:11; 23:4; 26:12; 28:26

Wine

20:1; 23:29-35; 31:6-7

Wealth
(see Money)

Women, Wives
(see People)

Word, The

13:13-14; 16:20; 28:4, 7, 9; 29:18; 30:5-6; 31:4-5

Work
(also see Laziness)

6:6-11; 10:4-5; 12:11; 13:11; 14:23; 16:3, 26; 20:4; 21:5; 22:29; 23:4-5; 28:19

Work Relations
(also see Leadership)

17:2; 19:10; 25:13; 27:18; 29:19, 21; 30:10, 21-23

Bibliography

An Introduction To The Old Testament Poetic Books, C.H. Bullock, Moody Press, © 1988
The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol.5, Frank Gaebelein, Ed., Zondervan, © 1991
The Biblical Expositor, Vol.2, Carl F.H. Henry, Ed. (Article by Kenneth A. Kitchen), Holman Co., © 1960
The Bible Background Commentary, Walter, Matthews, & Chavalas, InterVarsity Press, © 2000
The Wisdom of Proverbs, Bob Beasley, Legacy Press, © 1998
Proverbs, A Self-Study Guide, Irving L. Jensen, Moody Press, © 1976