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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In Proverbs 8:30, does "Amon" mean "Beloved Child" or "Master Craftsman"?
There is great controversy surrounding this particular word. Many scholars say "amon" is translated as "master workman", but others say that it means "beloved child" or &...
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Why do some Bible translations differ on how Proverbs 16:31 is translated?
Some translations state that “gray hair is a crown of glory; it is found in the path of righteousness”, but other translations word it as “gray hair is a crown of glory if it is found in the path of ...
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Proverbs 5:2-3 - Does the LXX preserve a dropped line or make an editorial addition?
The Masoretic Text and NRSV versions of the opening verses of Proverbs 5 are as follows (the MT follows the Aleppo Codex and is taken from the Mechon-Mamre website):
MT
NRSV
א בְּ֭נִי לְחָכְמָתִ֣י ...
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Help identifying this Hebrew word: "lesh," meaning "narcissistic"?
I am trying to track down a Hebrew word mentioned by Rabbi Rami Shapiro in his book The Divine Feminine in Biblical Wisdom Literature:
There are two types of people according to Proverbs: those who ...
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Is the ESV's rendering of Proverbs 14:1 at odds with the common rendering from other translations?
Proverbs 14:1 (ESV):
The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Meanwhile in other versions (For example, NASB and NKJV respectively)
The wise woman builds ...
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Does the KJV translate Proverbs 16:1 as having a different meaning than the other translations? If so, which is the correct translation ? And Why? …
The KJV seems to indicate that both the plans in man’s hearts and the answers on their tongues come from the Lord, is this a correct interpretation?
Proverbs 16:1 KJV
The preparations of the heart in ...
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Is it purely an embrace that is being discussed?
There is so much to unpack in this verse and not everything is clear cut and obvious for the English reader.
Proverbs 5:20
“Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and ...
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What kind of parallelism is Proverbs 18:22 and how is it translated?
There are different kinds of parallelism in the book of Proverbs and I would like to know which one is in Proverbs 18:22 and how it is translated in terms of its original audience and present ...
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In Proverbs 30:11-14, which is more accurate, the NKJV "there is a generation" or the NASB20 "there is a kind of person"?
In Proverbs 30:11-14, which more accurately conveys the sense of the Hebrew (and optionally, the Koine texts)? The NKJV "there is a generation" or the NASB20 "there is a kind of person&...
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In Proverbs 6:13, what is meant by the phrase, "he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers"?
Proverbs 6:13 KJV
He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers;
The context is speaking of the characteristics of an evil, perverse person who continually devises ...
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Translation error? Does Agur in Proverbs 30:3 have knowledge of the Holy or not?
In Proverbs 30:3 most translations translate verse 3 as Agur not having knowledge of the Holy.
In some interlinear translations, the text states that Agur does have the knowledge of the Holy.
See ...
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What is the context of Proverbs 7:17?
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (Proverbs 7:17 NRSVCE)
Forgive my over-literalness, but this seems like it's describing something really stupid: the impudent woman is pouring ...
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Does Proverbs 14:9 mention God?
I found it interesting that all three popular Vietnamese Bible translations say something like this (translated back to English):
The fool mocks at sin but the righteous has God's favor.
Kẻ ngu dại ...
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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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