Proverbs1
English Standard Version
1The of , of , of :
2To and , to of ,
3to in , in , , and ;
4to to the , and to the —
5Let the and in , and the one who ,
6to a and a , the of the and their .
7The of the Lord is the of ; and .
8 , my , your , and your ,
9 they are a for your and for your .
10My , you, do .
11 they , with us, let us lie in for ; let us the ;
12like let us , and , like those who to the ;
13we shall , we shall our with ;
14 your us; we will all have —
15my , do in the with them; your their ,
16 their to , and they to .
17 in is a in the of ,
18but these men lie in for their own ; they set an for their own .
19 are the of who is for ; it takes the of its .
20 in the , in the she her ;
21at the of the she cries ; at the of the she :
22How , O , will you being ? How long will in their and ?
23If you at my , , I will my to you; I will my to you.
24 I have and you to listen, have my and no has ,
25because you have my have of my ,
26 will at your ; I will when you,
27when you like a and your like a , when and upon you.
28 they will upon me, but I will ; they will but will me.
29 they and did the of the Lord,
30 have of my and my ,
31therefore they shall the of their , and have their of their .
32 the are by their , and the of them;
33but whoever to me will and will be at , of .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The use of the Proverbs. (1–6). Exhortations to fear God and obey parents. (7–9). To avoid the enticings of sinners. (10–19). The address of Wisdom to sinners. (20–33).
vv1-6
The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom.
vv7-9
Fools are persons who have no true wisdom, who follow their own devices, without regard to reason, or reverence for God. Children are reasonable creatures, and when we tell them what they must do, we must tell them why. But they are corrupt and wilful, therefore with the instruction there is need of a law. Let Divine truths and commands be to us most honourable; let us value them, and then they shall be so to us.
vv10-19
Wicked people are zealous in seducing others into the paths of the destroyer: sinners love company in sin. But they have so much the more to answer for. How cautious young people should be! “Consent thou not.” Do not say as they say, nor do as they do, or would have thee to do; have no fellowship with them. Who could think that it should be a pleasure to one man to destroy another! See their idea of worldly wealth; but it is neither substance, nor precious. It is the ruinous mistake of thousands, that they overvalue the wealth of this world. Men promise themselves in vain that sin will turn to their advantage. The way of sin is down-hill; men cannot stop themselves. Would young people shun temporal and eternal ruin, let them refuse to take one step in these destructive paths. Men's greediness of gain hurries them upon practices which will not suffer them or others to live out half their days. What is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his life? much less if he lose his soul?
Key Words
מָשָׁל: properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
שְׁלֹמֹה: Shelomah, David's successor
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
מֶלֶךְ: a king
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
חׇכְמָה: wisdom (in a good sense)
מוּסָר: properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
בִּין: to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
Cross References
Proverbs 1Parallels the core definition: the fear of the Lord as the absolute foundation/beginning of wisdom.
Supported by JFB
Direct verbal parallel affirming that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Supported by JFB
Reiterates the command to keep the father's instruction and not forsake the mother's law.
Supported by JFB
Extended thematic parallel of Wisdom personified crying out in public streets, gates, and high places.
Supported by JFB
Confirms that instruction given to a wise man results in him becoming yet wiser.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates the literal cultural custom of wearing chains about the neck as a mark of honor.
Supported by JFB
Parallel warning against walking in the way, path, or counsel of sinners.
Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole
Verbatim parallel of feet running to evil and making haste to shed innocent blood.
Thematic parallel of the wicked being snared in the work of their own hands.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the destructive end of being greedy of gain, which ruins the soul.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels the divine reaction of laughing and mocking at the rebellion of the wicked.
Prophetic parallel: as He cried and they would not hear, so they cry and He will not answer.
New Testament parallel of reaping what one sows, eating the fruit of one's own way.
New Testament demonstration of the early church walking in the fear of the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Identifies 'the wisdom of God' sending prophets, linking Wisdom's call to Christ.
Supported by JFB