FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Proverbs 22:11
KJVHe that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
Read it in context
A Good Name
Start reading at Proverbs 22:1 (Proverbs 22:1 to Proverbs 22:16).
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.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
- 22:1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
- 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
- 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
- 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
- 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
- 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
- 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
- 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
- 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
- 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
- 22:11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
- 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
- 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
- 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
- 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
- 22:16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
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 22:1–24:34): The words of the wise address the learner, often as a son, concerning conduct, relationships, and judgment. 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? A Good Name. Read Proverbs 22:1 through Proverbs 22:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community. 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 A Good Name (Proverbs 22:1 to Proverbs 22:16). Start reading at Proverbs 22:1. 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
Cited: Proverbs 22:1, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- that Prov 16:13 Ps 101:6 Matt 5:8
- for the grace of his lips Ps 45:2 Luke 4:22
- the king Gen 41:39-57 Ezra 7:6-11 Neh 2:4-6 Esth 10:3 Dan 2:46-49 Dan 3:30 Dan 6:20-23
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 22
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.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Thirty Sayings of the Wise / Saying 1
Proverbs 22:17–21FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Saying 2
Proverbs 22:22–23FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Saying 3
Proverbs 22:24–25FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Saying 4
Proverbs 22:26–27FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Saying 5
Proverbs 22:28–28FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Saying 6
Proverbs 22:29–29FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. This collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
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.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.