Revision #13119
Proverbs
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- Proverbs is a book of the Old Testament consisting of 31 chapters. The Korean title, *jameon* (箴言), means words of warning that prick like a needle, that is, short maxims that serve as instruction. The Hebrew title, *Mishlei*, likewise refers to parables or proverbs. Together with Job, Ecclesiastes, and other books, it is classified as "wisdom literature," which deals with wisdom for living. The theme of the entire book is often summarized by Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Here "fear" means reverence combined with awe.
+ Proverbs is a book of the Old Testament consisting of 31 chapters of short instructive sayings and maxims. Its Hebrew title, *Mishlei*, refers to parables or proverbs. Together with Job, Ecclesiastes, and other books, it is classified as "wisdom literature," which deals with wisdom for living. The theme of the whole book is often summarized by Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Here "fear" denotes reverence joined with awe.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
…
=
= - "The words of the wise" (22:17ff.)
- - Proverbs of Solomon compiled by the men of King Hezekiah (25:1)
+ - Proverbs of Solomon "which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out" (25:1)
= - The words of Agur (chapter 30)
= - The words of King Lemuel (chapter 31)
…
= Chapters 1–9 consist mainly of extended exhortations from a father to his son and of poems that portray wisdom as a woman. From chapter 10 onward, the book consists largely of maxims of one or two lines. Proverbs 31:10–31 is a poem celebrating the "virtuous woman," in which each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
=
- Views differ regarding the book's authorship and the date of its compilation. The conservative view regards Solomon as its principal author. Many scholars hold that the collections were added over a long period, and they point out that part of 22:17ff. resembles the ancient Egyptian text *The Instruction of Amenemope*.
+ Views differ regarding the book's authorship and the date of its compilation. The conservative view regards Solomon as its principal author. Many scholars hold that the collections were added over a long period, and they note that part of 22:17ff. resembles the ancient Egyptian text *The Instruction of Amenemope*.
=
- ## Practice in the Korean Church
+ ## Use in Korean Churches
=
- Because Proverbs has 31 chapters, it is well suited to reading one chapter a day over the course of a month. As a result, "one chapter of Proverbs a day" is a widespread practice in personal quiet time and reading through the Bible. Proverbs 3:5–6 is frequently used for Scripture memorization. Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go," is often quoted in sermons on Sunday school and the raising of children. The passage on the virtuous woman in chapter 31 is frequently used as a sermon text on occasions such as Parents' Sunday.
+ Because Proverbs has 31 chapters, it lends itself to reading one chapter a day over the course of a month. In Korean Protestant churches, "one chapter of Proverbs a day" is accordingly a widespread practice in personal quiet time and in reading through the Bible. Proverbs 3:5–6 is frequently chosen for Scripture memorization. Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go," is often quoted in sermons on Sunday school and the raising of children. The passage on the virtuous woman in chapter 31 is frequently used as a sermon text on occasions such as Parents' Sunday.
=
- All Protestant denominations recognize Proverbs as part of the canon, and its use does not differ greatly from one denomination to another. The Catholic Church, however, also accepts as canonical the similar wisdom books of Wisdom and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), which Protestants do not include in the canon. These two books appear in the Catholic edition of the Korean Common Translation Bible.
+ All Protestant denominations recognize Proverbs as part of the canon, and its use does not differ greatly from one denomination to another. The Catholic Church, however, also accepts as canonical the similar wisdom books of Wisdom and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), which Protestants do not include in the canon. In Korea, these two books appear in the Catholic edition of the Common Translation Bible.
Proverbs is an Old Testament book belonging to the wisdom literature. Its 31 chapters contain short instructions and maxims gathered chiefly under the name of Solomon, and it presents the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs is an Old Testament book of wisdom literature whose 31 chapters contain short instructions and maxims gathered chiefly under the name of Solomon. It presents the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom.
Full revision
Proverbs is an Old Testament book of wisdom literature whose 31 chapters contain short instructions and maxims gathered chiefly under the name of Solomon. It presents the fear of God as the beginning of wisdom.
Definition and Meaning
Proverbs is a book of the Old Testament consisting of 31 chapters of short instructive sayings and maxims. Its Hebrew title, Mishlei, refers to parables or proverbs. Together with Job, Ecclesiastes, and other books, it is classified as "wisdom literature," which deals with wisdom for living. The theme of the whole book is often summarized by Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." Here "fear" denotes reverence joined with awe.
Biblical and Historical Background
Proverbs 1:1 introduces the book as the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David. The text also contains other collections:
- "The words of the wise" (22:17ff.)
- Proverbs of Solomon "which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out" (25:1)
- The words of Agur (chapter 30)
- The words of King Lemuel (chapter 31)
The text itself thus shows that Proverbs is a compilation of several collections.
Chapters 1–9 consist mainly of extended exhortations from a father to his son and of poems that portray wisdom as a woman. From chapter 10 onward, the book consists largely of maxims of one or two lines. Proverbs 31:10–31 is a poem celebrating the "virtuous woman," in which each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Views differ regarding the book's authorship and the date of its compilation. The conservative view regards Solomon as its principal author. Many scholars hold that the collections were added over a long period, and they note that part of 22:17ff. resembles the ancient Egyptian text The Instruction of Amenemope.
Use in Korean Churches
Because Proverbs has 31 chapters, it lends itself to reading one chapter a day over the course of a month. In Korean Protestant churches, "one chapter of Proverbs a day" is accordingly a widespread practice in personal quiet time and in reading through the Bible. Proverbs 3:5–6 is frequently chosen for Scripture memorization. Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go," is often quoted in sermons on Sunday school and the raising of children. The passage on the virtuous woman in chapter 31 is frequently used as a sermon text on occasions such as Parents' Sunday.
All Protestant denominations recognize Proverbs as part of the canon, and its use does not differ greatly from one denomination to another. The Catholic Church, however, also accepts as canonical the similar wisdom books of Wisdom and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), which Protestants do not include in the canon. In Korea, these two books appear in the Catholic edition of the Common Translation Bible.