The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
Read it in contextIntroduction and Exhortation to Wisdom
Start reading at Proverbs 1:1 (Proverbs 1:1 to Proverbs 1:33).
This passage begins the book of Proverbs, establishing its authorship and purpose, and immediately launches into the initial exhortations regarding the pursuit of wisdom and the dangers of folly.
1:1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
1:2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
1:3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
1:4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
1:5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
1:6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
1:9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
1:10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
1:11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
1:12Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
1:13We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
1:14Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
1:15My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
1:16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
1:17Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
1:18And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
1:19So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
1:20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
1:21She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
1:22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
1:23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
1:24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
1:25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
1:26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
1:27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
1:28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
1:29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
1:30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
1:31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
1:32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
1:33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 1:1–9:18): The teacher or parent addresses a son or pupil; Wisdom and the opposing seductive voices are personified within the instruction. These speeches train hearers rather than narrate a gathering of every person used as an example. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme introduced is the pursuit of wisdom and instruction, the understanding of proverbs, and the foundational principle that 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.' It also warns against the enticement of sinners and personifies wisdom calling out to humanity.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the path to a wise and righteous life, the importance of fearing Him as the source of all knowledge, and the dire consequences of rejecting His wisdom and instruction.
What is the literary style? The literary style is wisdom literature, characterized by proverbs, instructions, warnings, and the personification of abstract concepts like Wisdom.
When
When was it written? The book of Proverbs was written between approximately 950 and 700 B.C.
When does the event take place? The 'events' in Proverbs are not specific historical occurrences but rather timeless principles and observations about life, wisdom, and folly, applicable across various times.
Where
Where did it happen? The principles and teachings of Proverbs are universal, but the setting for wisdom's call is described as the 'streets,' 'chief place of concourse,' 'openings of the gates,' and 'city,' indicating public spaces within Israelite society.
Where was the author located? The author, Solomon, was located in Jerusalem when he wrote these proverbs.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Introduction and Exhortation to Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1 to Proverbs 1:33).
Start reading at Proverbs 1:1. This passage begins the book of Proverbs, establishing its authorship and purpose, and immediately launches into the initial exhortations regarding the pursuit of wisdom and the dangers of folly.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Proverbs 1:1 serves as the title and introduction to the entire book, identifying the primary author and immediately setting forth the book's purpose: to impart wisdom, instruction, and understanding to its readers, especially the young. It lays the groundwork for the subsequent collections of wise sayings and moral exhortations. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? Solomon, as 'king of Israel,' foreshadows Jesus Christ, the greater King who reigns with perfect wisdom and justice. Furthermore, the personification of Wisdom crying out in the streets (Proverbs 1:20-23) can be seen as a prophetic type of Christ, who is the very 'wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:24, 1:30) and in whom 'are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossians 2:3). Jesus publicly called people to Himself, offering true wisdom and life. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers should actively seek God's wisdom and instruction, recognizing that true knowledge begins with a reverent 'fear of the LORD' (Proverbs 1:7). We must heed the warnings against sinful influences and choose the path of righteousness, trusting that genuine safety and peace are found in obedience to God's Word and His wisdom (Proverbs 1:33). interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.