Questions tagged [proverbs]

The book of Proverbs, one of the wisdom books of the Tanakh (Hebrew bible). Many of the short sayings are attributed to Solomon.

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Why does the book of Proverbs portray a negative bias towards surety?

KJV Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, KJV Proverbs 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the ...
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Deeper Understanding of (Proverbs 29:13) for mentioning God giving light on the eyes of both the poor and the oppressor

29:13 Hebrew OT: Westminster Leningrad Codex רָ֤שׁ וְאִ֣ישׁ תְּכָכִ֣ים נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ מֵ֤אִיר־עֵינֵ֖י שְׁנֵיהֶ֣ם יְהוָֽה׃ (Proverbs 29:13) English Standard Version The poor man and the oppressor meet ...
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Proverbs 3:12 “discipline/corrects” or “convict” more accurate?

We read in English: “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:12‬ The Hebrew for corrects/discipline: disciplines יוֹכִ֑יחַ (yō·w·ḵî·aḥ) ...
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Would Proverbs 26:18-19 be relevant to scenario cases that involve bullying/hazing/ragging?

Closely related posting: Does Proverbs 26:18-19 condemn tricking people for a joke? Proverbs 26:18-19 New American Standard Bible 1995 18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 19 So ...
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(Proverbs 23:1-3) what does Not desiring deceptive food have anything to do with behaving while dining with important leaders?

(Proverbs 23:1-3) New American Standard Bible 1995 1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully [a]what is before you, 2 And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great ...
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God made them in what sense? Proverbs 22:2

“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:2‬ ‭ Is this text saying God is the maker (creator) of both men? Genesis 1:26 God is the one who made (...
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Does Proverbs 26:18-19 condemn tricking people for a joke?

Proverbs 26:18-19 reads (NKJV, emphasis mine): Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!" Does this ...
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Does Proverbs 20:16b warning about pledging to someone narrowly focus on sexual promiscuity Or is it a broader warning?

20:16 Hebrew OT: Westminster Leningrad Codex לְֽקַח־בִּ֭גְדֹו כִּי־עָ֣רַב זָ֑ר וּבְעַ֖ד [נָכְרִים כ] (נָכְרִיָּ֣ה ק) חַבְלֵֽהוּ׃ ( Proverbs 20:16 ) (NASB 1995) Take his garment when he becomes surety ...
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Why does the book of Proverbs portray a negative bias towards wine?

Proverbs 4:17 KJV For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. Proverbs 20:1 KJV Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. ...
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Proverbs 18:22's grossly oversimplified, glib, nonchalant view about getting married [closed]

Most of the verses in the Bible's Proverbs can be read by and in themselves. In other words, in general, for the most part, we would Not need to apply hermeneutic tools like scripture-interprets-...
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(Proverbs 17:16) "fools" setting a "price" on "wisdom" when they have "No sense" and/or they have "No heart" for it (Multiple /layered meanings)

( Related Postings: Psalm 37:4 & Psalm 20:4 "...grant you your heart’s desire..." and "...give you the desires of your heart..." "dual-natured layers of meaning" ) ...
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What does Proverbs 3:25 mean by ruin of the wicked

Is it referring to: The calamity that comes upon the wicked Or The trouble that is brought upon us by the wicked? Do not be afraid of sudden danger, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes. [...
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What is the deeper contextual meaning of Proverbs 13:15 's use of the phrase "Good understanding/sense " and terms "treacherous/unfaithful "?

Proverbs 13:15 (New American Standard Bible 1995) 15 Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is hard. Proverbs 13:15 (New King James Version) 15 Good understanding [a]...
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What does the phrase `as an oracle' in Proverbs 16:10 (NIV) stand for?

We read in Proverbs 16:9-10(NRSVCE) The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. We read the same ...
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What does the phrase 'put a knife to thy throat'mean in Proverbs 23:2?

Proverbs 23:2 KJV And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. This seems to be a Hebrew idiom which is not clear what it refers to in the above text Could this idiom be ...
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Is (Proverbs 6:1-3) broad enough to go beyond financial debt obligations/money lending etc.,?

Proverbs 6:1-3 New American Standard Bible 1995 Parental Counsel 6 My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have [a]given a pledge for a stranger, 2 If you have been snared with the words ...
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Does Proverbs 5:22a mean that one particular person's inquities would also cause others involved to be punished/disciplined?

Proverbs 5:21-23 New American Standard Bible 1995 21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths. 22 His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And he will be ...
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Do Proverbs 15:24 and Ecclesiastes 3:21 suggest that the righteous ascend (up) and the wicked descend (down, to Sheol/Abaddon) at death?

Proverbs 15 (ESV): 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. 10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof ...
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In what way do her breasts satisfy the husband of Proverbs 5:19

“a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:19‬ ‭ In what manner are her breasts intended to generate ...
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What is the meaning behind Proverbs 27:14 Loudly blessing a neighbor early in the morning, will be taken as a curse

Could anyone explain the meaning behind this proverb ? If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. Obviously a blessing is usually speaking good about ...
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What does the begining of his path mean?

Proverbs 8:22-24 The Lord acquired me [Wisdom/Chokmah/Sophia] at the beginning of his path, the first of his acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. ...
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Why do English bibles change the correct meaning of אֶקְרָ֑א Eqra “I-will-call” in Psalms, but אֶקְרָ֑א “I-call” in Proverbs (as if קוֹרֵא Qore)?

Tehillim תְּהִלִּים “Psalms” 55:17 in Irvit states : אֲנִי אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֶקְרָ֑א וַֽ֜יהֹוָ֗ה יֽוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי | “Ani el-Elohim Eqra Va-YHVH yoshieni”. In English NKJV bible, this verse is in Psalms 55:...
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What is the Hebrew for Sons of Man (Prov 8:4)?

Proverbs 8:4 (ESV): To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. (KJV): Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. (Can't find "Sons of Man" in my ...
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Does 'panaq' (Proverbs 29:21) have relevance to Galatians 4:1-7 (sonship)?

The word panaq is used only once in scripture, in Proverbs 29:21, and thus has caused some head-scratching as is seen in the question on this site which asked if it were good to turn a 'slave' into a ...
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In [Judith 10-15], How can God be pleased to allow Judith to speak lies in order to maintain Exodus 20:5, if Proverbs 12:22 is true?

In Judith chapters 10-11, the honest prophetess Judith temporarily becomes a liar to defend Israel by spreading false information about Israel in [Judith 10:12] and [Judith 11:12-19] to deceptively ...
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Who is the Master craftsman?

Proverbs 8:30 (NKJV): Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, Who is the master craftsman in Proverbs 8:30? John 1:1-14 refers to the ...
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Should translations pay more attention to the antithetical parallelism of Prov. 3:34?

אִם־לַלֵּצִ֥ים‬ הֽוּא־יָלִ֑יץ וְ֝לַעֲנָיִ֗ים‬ יִתֶּן־חֵֽן׃ (Prov. 3:34, MT) Does it better fit the antithetical parallelism of the poetry of this verse to translate the verse: Although He will turn ...
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On what basis does Proverbs 24:11 KJV translate môṭ as "those that are ready?"

On what basis does Proverbs 24:11 KJV (and some others) translate môṭ as “those that are ready?” Proverbs 24:11 (emphasis added), If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those ...
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Is Matthew 25:40 establishing Proverbs 19:17 is a 'prophecy' about Jesus being King YHVH?

Wisdom חָכְמָה allowed מֶ֜֗לֶךְ King שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה Shlomoh (Solomon) to reveal Proverb 19:17 stating "He who is gracious to a poor man lends to YHVH, and He will repay him his reward." ( ...
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Proverbs 30:4, "Tell me if you know" --VS-- "Surely you know", more appropriate translation?

I read the Biblehub some English versions of the verse which have different text. Some versions use (A) "tell me if you know" - other versions use (B) "surely you know". Because if ...
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What 's wrong with change in Proverbs 24?

Proverbs 24 21My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; 22For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring? Isn't change good ...
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When Proverbs 14:31 uses the word "poor", what does the word "poor" suggest?

Most of proverbs scripture verses stand by themselves. However, could someone please read and analyze Proverbs 14:31 verse along with the Hebrew translation further down below, and post back a ...
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How are the Proverbs in the Proverbs book organized? By author? Theme? Chronologically?

I would love to know if the book is compiled in any specific manner. It follows a theme order it seems, but is that intended by the authors, or some were organized later on and placed in some kind of ...
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Does daily Charity alone atone for our sins? - [Proverbs 10:2, 11:4, 16:6, 19:17, 21:3]

If Charity to the poor is maintained daily to show our love to God & our neighbor, would our 'sins' be forgiven without requiring another sacrifice for atonement? Proverbs 10:2 - "Treasures ...
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What are the imageries in Proverbs 18:4?

Proverbs 18:4 New International Version The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. How to interpret these in terms of the imageries? Does this relate to ...
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Is it accurate to state "Humility [is] Fear of The LORD" when translating Proverbs 22:4?

Based on the Hebrew reading of Proverbs 22:4, "Fear [of] YHVH" ( יִרְאַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה ) is the result of "Humility" ( עֲ֭נָוָה ). If we speak Mishlei 22:4, then we could say : " ...
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Why does Proverb 22:20 say "thirty sayings" in some translations and "excellent things" in others?

I'm not sure if this question has a simple answer or not since I don't read any Hebrew, but when I was reading through Proverbs 22 this morning with my wife, her translation at verse 20 said Have I ...
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Meaning of Proverbs 4:18

In Proverbs 4:18 (NASB) But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. What's the meaning of this metaphor?
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How does God exactly make our paths straight? Is Proverbs 3:6 implicitly referring to the supernatural lead of the Holy Spirit?

Proverbs 3:5-6 invites us not to lean on our own understanding, but to trust instead in God's ability to lead us into the right paths we are to take. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean ...
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Is there intended a relationship between Job 40:19, Proverbs 8:22 and Revelation 3:14?

[Job 40:15-20 CSB] (15) Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He eats grass like cattle. (16) Look at the strength of his back and the power in the muscles of his belly. (17) He stiffens ...
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What does "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil" (Proverbs 15:16) mean?

Proverbs 15:16 is Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. What does this mean? Is it some Biblical equivalent of minimalism? The word turmoil puzzles me as in the ...
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How should we understand the concepts of "seek" and "find" in Proverbs 8:17?

Proverbs 8:12-21 (ESV): 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted ...
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Why was the Hebrew "possessed" translated into Greek as "created" in Proverbs 8:22?

Why was the Hebrew "possessed" translated into Greek as "created" in Proverbs 8:22? Proverbs 8:22 English Standard Version “The LORD possessed me (קָ֭נָנִי) at the beginning of ...
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What are the 7 Pillars of Wisdom's House?

In Mishlei / Proverbs 9, we are told Chakmot (חָכְמוֹת) resides in a House built on 7 Pillars. Proverbs 9 [1] Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. (חָכְמוֹת בָּנְתָ֣ה בֵיתָ֑הּ ...
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What does Proverbs 23:10 mean regarding the prohibited entry in "Fields of Orphans"?

In the Ivri (עִבְרִי) / Hebrew (ἑβραιου) text of Proverbs 23:10, we find a strange warning. Proverbs 23:10 [MT "Do not remove an ancient boundary, and do not enter the fields of the orphans" ...
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Regarding Proverbs 15:3 - How many Eyes (עֵינֵ֣י) does God have?

The Hebrew Bible claims "the Eyes of YHVH" (עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה) are everywhere, in the scroll of "Mishlei" (Proverbs) - chapter 15 verse 3. Proverbs 15:3 [MT] "The eyes of YHVH are ...
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What is the proper understanding of the phrase מִפְעָלָיו מֵאָֽז, "works of old" in Proverbs?

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. (Proverbs 8:22 KJV) יְֽהוָה קָנָנִי רֵאשִׁית דַּרְכֹּו קֶדֶם מִפְעָלָיו מֵאָֽז It is common to understand "works of ...
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Does Proverbs 8:12-31 reveal female Understanding (בִ֜ינָ֗ה) to be the source of God's constructive power?

In Proverbs 8:12-14, we find out that Wisdom (Chokmah, חכמה) is heard in a female voice called Understanding (Vinah, בִ֜ינָ֗ה). Proverbs 8:22 [MT] "YHVH acquired me at the beginning of His way, ...
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In light of Proverbs 24:17 , how would we go about justifying or reasoning Psalm 54:5-7 claim of being satisfied with enemies' destruction?

Proverbs 24:17 (NASB) Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Proverbs 24:17 (KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be ...
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The relationship between wisdom and light

I am trying to understand the relationship between wisdom and light better (as well as logos and "the way"). I am mostly focused around exegesis of the Gospel of John. Jesus is the logos, ...
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