The following is the results of your search for Proverbs, Book of.
Proverbs, Book of: A collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of
subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the
"philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible
does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in
the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and
of a good education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of
the sacred authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths.
It deals, too, in that refined, discriminating, careful view of the
finer shades of human character so often overlooked by theologians,
but so necessary to any true estimate of human life" (Stanley's
Jewish Church). As to the origin of this book, "it is probable that
Solomon gathered and recast many proverbs which sprang from human
experience in preceeding ages and were floating past him on the tide
of time, and that he also elaborated many new ones from the material
of his own experience. Towards the close of the book, indeed, are
preserved some of Solomon's own sayings that seem to have fallen from
his lips in later life and been gathered by other hands' (Arnot's
Laws from Heaven, etc.) This book is usually divided into three
parts:
1. Consisting of (ch. 1-9) which contain an exhibition of wisdom as
the highest good.
2. Consisting of ch. (10-24)
3. Containing proverbs of Solomon "which the men of Hezekiah, the
king of Judah, collected" (ch. 25-29)
These are followed by two supplements,
1. "The words of Agur" (ch. 30) and
2. "The words of king Lemuel" (ch. 31) Solomon is said to have
written three thousand proverbs, and those contained in this
book may be a selection from these
(1 Kings 4:32) In the New
Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book
or allusions to it.
