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.
0
votes
1answer
41 views
How does sin trap someone and hold them captive (Proverbs 5:22-23)?
How does sin entrap someone and hold them captive? See Proverbs 5:21-23:
[Pro 5:22-23 CSB] 22 A wicked man's iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin. 23 He ...
7
votes
4answers
99 views
Is it good to “turn a slave into a son” in Proverbs 29:21?
"He who pampers his slave from childhood will in the end find him to be a son." Proverbs 29:21, NASB
I want to contrast this with a prior verse:
"A slave will not be instructed by words alone; for ...
2
votes
3answers
71 views
Is Proverbs 25:20 about singing songs to an “evil” heart or to a “sad” one?
Proverbs 25: 20 (NASB, literal translation in bold)
"Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on natron,
Is he who sings songs to an evil heart."
I didn't understand this when ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Who is King Lemuel in Proverbs 31?
Who is King Lemuel in Proverbs 31? I did a search for King Lemuel in my entire library of encyclopedias, commentaries, Bible dictionaries, etc. and there is very limited information on him. Some see ...
1
vote
2answers
53 views
In Proverbs 31:1 what is meant by “oracle” (מַשָּׂא, χρηματισμός)?
NET Bible Proverbs 31:1 The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle (מַשָּׂא) that his mother taught him:
LXX οἱ ἐμοὶ λόγοι εἴρηνται ὑπὸ θεοῦ βασιλέως χρηματισμός ὃν ἐπαίδευσεν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ
BHS ...
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Pupil/eye, or light/ lamp, or “time of darkness” in Proverbs 20 verse 20?
Pr 20:20b, NASB says "His lamp will go out in time of darkness." I am given a variant for 'time of darkness' as 'pupil,' and
THAT makes no sense to me.
I know in other places (cf Matthew 6:22-23; ...
1
vote
2answers
39 views
In Proverbs 18:21 what is the control that the tongue has over life and death?
NET Bible Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the
tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
LXX Proverbs 18:21 θάνατος καὶ ζωὴ ἐν χειρὶ γλώσσης οἱ δὲ κρατοῦντες
...
-1
votes
1answer
57 views
Is the point of Proverbs 27:23-27 to maintain your farm in case your business fails? Or to choose farming over commerce?
KJV Pro 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and
look well to thy herds. Pro 27:24 For riches are not for ever: and
doth the crown endure to every generation? Pro 27:25 The ...
2
votes
2answers
187 views
Proverbs 12:10, is it really talking about animal welfare?
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Prov. 12:10, ESV
The standard interpretation seems to relate to animal welfare, but this website ...
0
votes
1answer
251 views
In Proverbs 30:20 what is so evil about a woman wiping her mouth after she eats?
KJV Pro 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and
wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
http://biblehub.com/proverbs/30-20.htm
If so, is this intended to ...
4
votes
2answers
151 views
What is the meaning of “excellent things” in Proverbs 22:20?
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth...
-- Proverbs 22:20 (KJV)
In the KJV, the Hebrew word ...
6
votes
1answer
56 views
Possible English understandings of “ba’al nefesh” in Proverbs 23:2?
I'm wondering about how "ba’al nefesh" could resonably be understood in modern English (USA)? I note the renderings from various translations (https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Proverbs%2023:2) ...
1
vote
2answers
48 views
Translation of Proverbs 14:14
My Hebrew is a bit rusty, got stuck on Proverbs 14:14, and particularly the second part of the verse, וּ֝מֵעָלָ֗יו אִ֣ישׁ טֹֽוב׃
How do I translate, וּ֝מֵעָלָ֗יו correctly in the context of this ...
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Is Proverbs 24:11-12 about protecting people from genocide?
Would the following verses be considered as protecting people who face genocide?
Proverbs 24:11-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
[11] Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And ...
1
vote
2answers
43 views
Proverbs 17:7 - Why still less is false speech to a prince?
Proverbs 17:7
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a prince.
I understand the first verse as a fool can't say fine speech. But the second verse: "still less is ...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
Proverbs 16:33, why the but? and outcome vs justice
Most translations say something like,
People cast lots, BUT God determines all outcomes.
What is the justification of the Contrajunction BUT?
And why is 'outcomes' related to the lots, as ...
2
votes
1answer
413 views
Proverbs 16:1 - meaning of the answer of the tongue
Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
The phrase The plans of the heart belong to man I can understand as: the man plans things on ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Proverbs 16:31 - Why is gray hair is a crown of glory?
Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
Why is gray hair is a crown of glory? I think when people get old, their hair is just automatically turned into ...
0
votes
2answers
252 views
Proverbs 15:23 - what does “a word in season” mean?
Proverbs 15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in season, how good it is!
So "a word in season" like a word that is remembered in seasons, like season in a year?
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Proverbs 15:11 - who are the children of man
PROVERBS 15:11
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!
So look like this Proverb said "children of man" tend to be worse than Sheol and ...
2
votes
3answers
315 views
Proverbs 11:15 - “put up security for a stranger” and “striking hands in pledge”
Proverbs 11:15
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
I don't really understand 2 phrases:
"put up security for ...
-2
votes
1answer
56 views
Is Mark 6:3 an allusion to Proverbs 8:30?
New American Standard Bible Mark 6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son
of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not
His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
Is Job 15:7 referring to wisdom from Proverbs 8:25 or to Adam?
NET Bible
Job 15:7 Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth
before the hills?
Proverbs 8:25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the
hills, I was given birth,
...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
In Proverbs 8:28, what are “the fountains of the deep”?
Proverbs 8-22-28 (NIV)
22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,[a][b]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world ...
1
vote
2answers
143 views
What is Proverbs 8:23 asserting about the origin of wisdom?
Young's Literal Translation has this:
YLT Proverbs 8:23 From the age I was anointed, from the first, From
former states of the earth.
So it has:
from the age (I was anointed)
from the first
...
7
votes
8answers
1k views
Does Proverbs 8:22 say that God's wisdom was the first person/thing that God created?
Several translations have "possessed me" while others have "made me". Is "possessed me" the proper translation and if so, what does it mean? Or is "made me" the correct translation and if so, was ...
5
votes
2answers
405 views
In Proverbs 11:30, what does it mean to “take lives”?
"Soul-winning" is a commonly used phrase in some christian circles to refer to "getting people saved" by "witnessing" and seems to derive from a slightly anachronistic interpretation of the KJV ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
In Proverbs 5:18 what is meant by “your wife in your youth”?
Please help me understand the meaning of,"your wife in your youth" in Proverbs 5:18. Thank you in advance.
NIV Proverbs 5: 15Drink water from your own cistern, running water
from your own well. ...
0
votes
1answer
151 views
Which “day of trouble” is Proverbs 16:4 referring to?
Throughout the Bible, various occurrences of the phrase "day of trouble" appear. In various Psalms, such as Psalm 50:14
Psalm 50:14-15 (ESV)
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and ...
9
votes
4answers
2k views
Is Proverbs 17:8 condoning bribery?
In Proverbs 17:8 (ESV) the author states,
A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
Earlier in the text in 15:27, the author states,
...
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Proverbs 31:16 - Did the woman use her resources to purchase the field?
זָמְמָ֣ה שָׂ֭דֶה וַתִּקָּחֵ֑הוּ מִפְּרִ֥י כַ֝פֶּ֗יהָ נטע כ נָ֣טְעָה ק כָּֽרֶם׃
Typically this is translated to indicate the woman bought a field...and from her resources she also planted a vineyard:
...
7
votes
3answers
550 views
Is the “woman of valour” in Proverbs 31 “real” or “symbolic”?
There is a lot of interest in the feminine imagery in the first nine chapters of Proverbs, especially the figure of "Lady Wisdom".
The book also ends with attention to a female figure. The last ...
1
vote
1answer
311 views
In Proverbs 8:12, who is “Prudence”?
In Proverbs 8:12, who is "Prudence" with whom "Wisdom" dwells?
YLT Pro 8:12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a
knowledge of devices I find out.
Related:
Who is Wisdom in Proverbs
2
votes
1answer
126 views
In Proverbs 24:27, is there something in the Hebrew that suggests that a rebuild or remodel is in view?
Proverbs 24:27, in the KJV, seems to suggest that he is giving advice on a de novo [from scratch] construction plan where the land is to be productive before attempting to build a house there:
KJV ...
3
votes
1answer
137 views
Where does CEV come up with “common sense” in Proverbs 2:6?
The verse is Proverbs 2:6 and it reads as follows:
Proverbs 2:6 (KJV)
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
The CEV version however reads:
...
-1
votes
1answer
679 views
Proverbs 8:22-31. Woman Wisdom personification or actual divine being? [duplicate]
In Proverbs 8:22-31, a figure known as "Woman Wisdom" is described as being present when God was creating the world. Obviously, "Woman Wisdom" serves as a great personification to teach about the ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Does Proverbs 16:9 say that God has determined every move mankind makes?
"A man's heart deviseth (יחשב: considers, thinks about) his way: but YHVH directeth (יכין: establishes, sets up, appoints) his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Does Proverbs 16:9 say that God has determined ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Who is the maid in Proverbs 30:19?
Three verses from Proverbs 30 run as follows:
[18] There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
[19] (1) The way of an eagle in the air; (2) the way of a ...
0
votes
0answers
18 views
The word wisdom [duplicate]
In the book of proverbs the word wisdom is feminine in french ,teaching and the word light as well,while the sun is singular and the son of light is feminine.Is it the same in English for it doesn't ...
7
votes
5answers
8k views
What does “an apple of gold in a picture of silver” represent in Proverbs of Solomon?
What does "a word fitly spoken is like an apple of gold in a picture of silver" (Proverbs 25:11) mean?
I know that an apple is a fruit but the apple of gold in a picture of silver part I can't ...
3
votes
1answer
917 views
Proverbs 26:10 - Are modern translations right to involve an 'archer'?
I'm trying to interpret Proverbs 26:10, but as I've attempted to cross-reference more and more sources, I keep finding radically different translations:
"Like an archer who wounds at random, so is ...
6
votes
2answers
849 views
What is the relationship between the prostitute and the loaf of bread in Proverbs 6:26a?
The first phrase of Proverbs 6:26 is translated in several different ways by major translations:
for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread [ESV]
For on account of a harlot one is ...
9
votes
3answers
3k views
What is the proper translation of Proverbs 22:6?
I've read that the translation, which implies a promise to "right parenting" of
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
is not accurate ...
3
votes
1answer
82 views
What is the purpose of listing two different birds in the curse of Proverbs 30:17?
Proverbs 30:17 describes the fate of those who disobey their parents, concluding they will have an unnatural death and be eaten by birds of prey:
The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a ...
2
votes
4answers
5k views
What are the “security” and “pledge” of Proverbs 27:13?
Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress. (ESV)
What does it mean to "put up security" and to "hold it ...
2
votes
2answers
582 views
The blessing and the sorrow in Proverbs 10:22
In Proverbs 10:22 it reads:
The blessing from the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow to it.
(Proverbs 10:22, NET, emphasis mine)
The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of a ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
How to interpret Proverbs 6:16-19, in view of “Numbered Parallelism”
Question 1: How would one interpret, (not translate), Proverbs 6, in view of the linguistic construction: "Numbered Parallelism." How does "Numbered Parallelism", here, affect the interpretation of ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
Concealing & revealing in Proverbs 25:2
My question is about the intended meaning of this proverb:
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
--Prov. 25:2, NASB
I see three ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Proverbs: differences between the LXX and the MT
What is the origin of the differences in the order of some verses in the book of Proverbs between the LXX and the MT?
Here are two examples:1 the verses 30:1—14 are after 24:22 and the verses 30:15—...
6
votes
3answers
13k views
What's the difference between a “lying tongue” and a “false witness” in Proverbs 6?
In Proverbs 6 is there a difference between a lying tongue and a false witness?
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a ...
