Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
Read it in contextThe Enticement of Sin
Start reading at Proverbs 1:8 (Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 1:19).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
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.
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 topic of this reading unit? The Enticement of Sin. Read Proverbs 1:8 through Proverbs 1:19 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Enticement of Sin (Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 1:19).
Start reading at Proverbs 1:8. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. 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.