Wisdom Literature and Proverbs

Wisdom Literature
and
The Proverbs
Wisdom Literature
Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, (Song of Solomon)
• Wisdom Refers to the Skill of Applying Knowledge.
• Other O.T. Literature Establishes God’s Salvation
History.
• Wisdom Lit. Assumes Salvation History as
Foundational.
– It does not seek to add to the chronological
happenings of the nation of Israel/ God’s covenants.
– It addresses the human desire and quest for finding
“order” and “meaning” in the world.
Two Types of
Wisdom Literature
1. Proverbial Wisdom
– Short sayings stating rules for personal happiness & welfare
– Sayings that condense experiential wisdom making acute
observations about life.
2. Contemplative or Speculative Wisdom
– Monologues, dialogues, essays, or stories which delve into
basic problems of human existence
• The meaning of life
• The problem of pain and suffering
• The path to success
Proverbs
Structure and Outline
• The Appeal to Wisdom Chapters 1—9
• The Proverbs of Solomon Chapters 10—22
• The Sayings of the Wise Chapters 22—24
• Hezekiah’s Collected Proverbs Chapters 25—29
• The Sayings of Agur Chapter 30
• The Sayings of King Lemuel Chapter 31:1—9
• The Excellent Wife Chapter 31:10—31
Proverbs
• What Is Proverbs?
Proverbs is one of four Old Testament books
commonly referred to as “wisdom literature,” along with
Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (although Ecc. &
S.O.S. are part of the Megilloth). It is a collection of
wisdom sayings for those who “fear the Lord” (1:7). The
first nine chapters are actually extended wisdom poems
meant to exhort the reader to pursue wisdom. Chapter
10 marks the beginning of the standard proverbs, which
are short, pointed statements of two or three lines,
making for easy memorization.
Proverbs
• Who Wrote Proverbs?
King Solomon is either the author or collector of the
majority of the book of Proverbs, which is consistent with
his description in 1 Kings 4, which says that he “spoke
3,000 proverbs.” Scripture also reveals, “God gave
Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure,” so
that his wisdom “surpassed all the wisdom of the east and
all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:29-32).
Some portions of the book, however, are attributed
to “the wise,” to Agur, and to an otherwise unknown King
Lemuel. All or most of the content of the book can be
dated to within Solomon’s reign, around 971-931 B.C.
Proverbs
• Why Was Proverbs Written?
The purpose of Proverbs is stated clearly in the
opening verses: to instruct and exhort God’s people in
wise living. The wisdom advocated originates in the “fear
of the LORD,” and is lived out in everyday situations and
relationships. The book’s sayings should not be seen as
individual, automatic promises to be claimed by God’s
people. It must rather be seen as general rules of applied
knowledge meant to equip those who might earnestly
seek this wisdom in order to have skill for living Godly
lives.
Proverbs
7 Clues for Understanding Proverbs
As It Was Intended
1. Common Sense is required
2. Individual Proverbs Are Always Ultimately True
– They were written with eternity in mind
3. Individual Proverbs Are Normally True Now
– There are/ can be exceptions within normal life experiences
4. Individual Proverbs Employ Poetic Imagery
– Every saying and term cannot always be taken literally
5. Individual Proverbs Are Partial in Themselves
– The reader cannot pick and choose which wisdom to employ
6. Individual Proverbs Are Sometimes Obscure
– Readers must seek to understand original context/ culture/ meaning.
7. As a whole, the Proverbs are Religious
– Its wisdom is for godly living and not merely secular success
Proverbs
Key Themes and Theology in Proverbs
• Wisdom for Godly living
• The fear of the LORD is Foundational to Real

Knowledge
• Godly Living is Practical, Not Merely Theoretical

Proverbs
The Three Types of Proverbs
1. Instructional commands (ex. 1:8)
2. Wisdom Sentences stand close or parallel to

other verses (ex. 10:1)
3. Numerical Sayings lists different items

(ex. 6:16—19)
The PROVERBIAL
Logical Argument for Wisdom
(Prov. 1:7)
• IF… knowledge begins with the proper view of
the LORD.
• AND… wisdom is the skill of applying

knowledge.
• THEN… wisdom is the skill of applying the

proper view of the LORD.

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Wisdom Literature and Proverbs

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Wisdom Literature

• The fear of the LORD is Foundational to Real

• Godly Living is Practical, Not Merely Theoretical

2. Wisdom Sentences stand close or parallel to

3. Numerical Sayings lists different items

• AND… wisdom is the skill of applying

• THEN… wisdom is the skill of applying the

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