Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

1:1 Solomon is the foremost authority on Israelite wisdom (see 1 Kgs 3:1-28; 4:32). Many proverbs are ascribed to Solomon, but he did not write all of them (see Prov 22:17; 24:23; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1).

Verse 2

1:2-7 This prologue explains the purpose of the book and identifies the different readers to whom it is addressed.

1:2-3 Wisdom is practical knowledge that involves ethical choices. Words such as right, just, and fair are associated with biblical wisdom. Gaining wisdom involves discipline, an active, intentional training of energy toward wisdom and away from folly. The book of Proverbs encourages us to resist our natural sinful tendencies toward wrong behavior.

Verse 4

1:4 The simple are like empty containers. Wisdom and folly compete to fill their minds and hearts (see 9:1-18).

Verse 6

1:6 Proverbs help the wise person to understand riddles. Here the Hebrew word (khidoth) indicates enigmas or paradoxes—difficult sayings that require interpretation (cp. Judg 14:14).

Verse 7

1:7 Fear of the Lord recognizes total dependence on God for everything, including knowledge and wisdom (9:10). It is not just a mental attitude but involves service, love, and obeying God’s laws (see Deut 10:12-13). Fear of the Lord is the basis of all knowledge. How can we understand life without knowing the most fundamental truth about it—that it is God’s creation?

Verse 8

1:8–9:18 My child (Literally My son): Like other wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, much of chs 1–9 is a father’s (and occasionally, a mother’s) instruction to a son. Because the son is being trained to follow in his father’s profession, much of the teaching concerns the son’s occupation. The NLT usually translates the term as child, since the lessons are applicable to both sons and daughters.

1:8-19 There are two paths (1:15) in the book of Proverbs: a wise, just way and a foolish, evil way. The parents represent the wise way and encourage their child to follow it.

Verse 9

1:9 crown you . . . chain of honor: Ornaments often represent wisdom and its rewards (see also 3:22; 4:9). This imagery inspires readers to pursue wisdom with diligence.

Verse 10

1:10-19 The father warns his child not to join a gang of sinners in their plan to pounce on the innocent, for their evil actions will rebound on themselves (see 28:10; Pss 9:15; 35:8). The evil way is a path of violence and robbery.

Verse 12

1:12 like the grave: Hebrew like Sheol. In the Old Testament, Sheol is the abode of the dead. It is not necessarily associated with punishment.

Verse 17

1:17-19 Birds will not go into an obvious trap, but greedy people will. By resorting to violence and robbery, they will be violently robbed of life. They might be killed in the attempt or executed when caught. Even if sinners prosper until the end of their lives, they will find judgment in death, while the righteous will be in God’s presence (see Ps 1).

Verse 20

1:20-33 The author personifies wisdom as a woman (the Hebrew noun translated wisdom, khokmah, is grammatically feminine) and encourages his son to embrace her (see 3:18; 8:1–9:6).

Verse 22

1:22 Three main words in Proverbs describe those who lack God’s wisdom. Simpletons (Hebrew pethim) have not hardened themselves against God’s wisdom and are most open to correction (see 1:4). Fools (Hebrew kesilim) have heard God’s wisdom but resist it. Mockers (Hebrew latsonim) not only resist wisdom but even ridicule it.

Verse 23

1:23 Wisdom invites all three groups (1:22) to come so she can make them wise. An intimate relationship with Wisdom means entering an intimate relationship with God, the foundation of true knowledge (1:7; see Job 28).

Verse 24

1:24-27 You ignored my advice—i.e., the call of God himself (see Ps 14). God calls to us through creation (Ps 8; Rom 1:18-20) and Scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21).

Verse 28

1:28 I will not answer: If a person has not sought wisdom before calamity strikes, it is often too late to learn.

Verse 29

1:29-30 they hated knowledge: There is no middle ground in the language of Proverbs. One either loves and embraces Wisdom or hates and rejects her.

Verse 31

1:31 Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:9).

Verse 33

1:33 Truly wise people are untroubled by fear. They know that God is in control, and wisdom guides them in dealing with every situation.