Division 1:1–9:18

A father teaches his son the value of wisdom

This division begins with a brief introduction (1:1–7). The introduction states the main purpose of the book of Proverbs: to provide moral instruction for naive young people. The final verse of the introduction states the basis for obtaining knowledge. It also cautions the readers that some people will choose to be fools.

Following this introduction are ten well-organized lessons. Each lesson begins with the words “my son” or “my sons” and contains instruction on a particular topic. Most of the lessons end with a summary or a conclusion. The author writes to his readers as a father who is advising his son or sons. The mention of the mother’s teaching in 1:8 along with that of the father suggests that the setting for this instruction is the home.

In between these lessons are five additional discourses. These discourses contrast the claims of personified Wisdom and Folly. They are not addressed specifically to the son. The final discourse contains parallel invitations by Wisdom and Folly to attend the feasts that they have each prepared. This reminds the readers that they must make a choice between wise and foolish behavior.

Section 1:1–7

This is the purpose of Proverbs

This section is the writer’s introduction to the book of Proverbs. It contains an overall title for the book (1:1), a statement of purpose (1:2–6), and a motto or key verse (1:7). In Hebrew, the first six verses form a single sentence that gives related goals or functions for the proverbs. Proverbs 1:2a, 1:2b, 1:3a, 1:4a, and 1:6a all begin with a verb phrase that relates back to the title and gives one of the functions. The Berean Standard Bible translates these phrases as: “for gaining…, for comprehending…, for receiving…. To impart…, by understanding….” Proverbs 1:5 begins with a different grammatical construction. Several scholars therefore consider this verse to be a parenthesis, clarifying that the proverbs are also useful to people who are wise.

Some other headings for this section are:

The Purpose of Proverbs (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
How Proverbs Can Be Used (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Importance of Proverbs (New Century Version)

Paragraph 1:1–7

1:1

These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: In Hebrew, this verse is the title of the Book of Proverbs.

In some languages, it may be appropriate to format this verse as a title. In other languages, it may be preferable to state the verse as a separate sentence, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

The phrases son of David and king of Israel further identify the name Solomon. They do not imply that David had any other son who became a king of Israel.

the proverbs of Solomon: The title credits Solomon as being the overall source of the proverbs, because he either wrote or collected many of the proverbs in the book. In some languages, it may be necessary to express this meaning in a different way. For example:

The proverbs that Solomon…collected/wrote
-or-
Solomon…was the source of these proverbs.

proverbs: The Hebrew word for proverbs, as it is used in this book, usually means wise sayings or principles that teaches people how they should act. It may also describe something that is true about human behavior. Some proverbs were short, compact statements. Others were longer lessons up to a chapter in length. The purpose of both kinds of proverbs was to teach or advise people regarding proper conduct.

In some languages, the term for a short saying or proverb may not be appropriate to describe the longer lessons found in the first nine chapters. If that is true in your language, it may be possible to use a more general term here in 1:1. For example:

This is the teaching/advice of Solomon…
-or-
These are the wise sayings of Solomon…

A more specific term could then be used in 1:6, which mentions specific kinds of wise sayings.

Solomon son of David, king of Israel: The phrase king of Israel refers here to Solomon. In some languages, it may be necessary to change the order or wording of these phrases to make this meaning clear. For example:

King Solomon of Israel, the son of David (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Solomon, son of David and king of Israel (Good News Translation)

son of David: In many other verses the phrase son of David refers to a descendant of David. Here it refers to an actual son of David. In languages that do not use specific terms for “son” or “daughter,” you may use a general term. For example:

child of David

See the note on “son” in 1:8a.

king of Israel: If the title king is not known in your language, you may:

• Use a similar title. For example:

chief of Israel
-or-
highest ruler of the Israelites

• Use a verb phrase. For example:

who ruled over Israel (UBS Handbook)

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