Proverbs 1:1-6 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:5

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning. The change of construction in the original is reproduced in the Authorized Version, but has been rendered variously. Thus Umbreit and Elster, regarding the verb יִשְׁמַע ( yishema ) as conditional, translate, "if the wise man hear;" on the other hand, Delitzsch and Zockler take it as voluntative," let the wise man hear," ete. The principle here enunciated is again stated in Proverbs 9:9 , "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:6

To understand a proverb. This verse carries on the idea which is stated in Proverbs 1:5 . The end of the wise and intelligent man's increase in learning and prudence is that he may be thus enabled to understand other proverbs. Schultens, followed by Holden, takes the verb לְהָבִין ( lehavin ) as a gerund, intelligendo sententias. This rendering does not represent the end, but points to the proverbs, etc; as means by which the wise generally attain to learning and prudence. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:6

Proverbs It is not surprising to see that proverbs, which are found more or less in the traditional lore of almost all nations, and flourish most abundantly in the East, also enter into the circle of the inspired literature of the Jews. The general characteristics of this portion of the sacred Scriptures are well worthy of our study. I. THE PROVERBS ARE ALL CONCISE UTTERANCES . In the present age, when time is more precious than ever, it is to be wished that public teachers... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:1

The long exhortation Proverbs 1–9, characterized by the frequent recurrence of the words “my son,” is of the nature of a preface to the collection of the “Proverbs of Solomon” Proverbs 10:1. On Proverbs 1:1-7, see the introduction to Proverbs. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:2

The writer’s purpose is to educate. He is writing what might be called an ethical handbook for the young, though not for the young only. Of all books in the Old Testament, this is the one which we may think of as most distinctively educational. A comparison of it with a similar manual, the “sayings of the fathers,” in the Mishna, would help the student to measure the difference between Scriptural and rabbinical teaching.Wisdom - The power by which human personality reaches its highest spiritual... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:3

Wisdom - Not the same word as in Proverbs 1:2; better, perhaps, thoughtfulness.Justice - Rather, righteousness. The word in the Hebrew includes the ideas of truth and beneficence as well as “justice.”Judgment - The teaching of the Proverbs is to lead us to pass a right sentence upon human actions, whether our own or another’s.Equity - In the Hebrew (see the margin) the plural is used, and expresses the many varying forms and phases of the one pervading principle. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:4

This verse points out the two classes for which the book will be useful:(1) the “simple,” literally the “open,” the open-hearted, the minds ready to receive impressions for good or evil Proverbs 1:22; and(2) the “young,” who need both knowledge and discipline.To these the teacher offers the “subtilty,” which may turn to evil Exodus 21:14 and become as the wisdom of the serpent Genesis 3:1, but which also takes its place, as that wisdom does, among the highest moral gifts Matthew 10:16; the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:5

But it is not for the young only that he writes. The “man of understanding” may gain “wise counsels,” literally, the power to “steer” his course rightly on the dangerous seas of life. This “steersmanship,” it may be noted, is a word almost unique to Proverbs (compare “counsel” in Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 12:5; Proverbs 24:6). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:6

The book has yet a further scope; these proverbs are to form a habit of mind. To gain through them the power of entering into the deeper meaning of other proverbs, is the end kept in view. Compare Matthew 13:0.The rendering “interpretation” spoils the parallelism of the two clauses, and fails to express the Hebrew. In Habakkuk 2:6, it is rendered “taunting proverb.” Here “riddle” or “enigma” would better express the meaning. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:1

Proverbs 1:1. The proverbs of Solomon “Solomon is the first of the sacred writers whose name appears at the head of his works. The name alone of so wise and so great a prince is a sufficient recommendation to engage men to hear and to read. For we naturally love to see and to listen to persons of illustrious name and extraordinary capacity, particularly when those qualities are joined with sovereign power. The style of this work, the brevity of his sentences, and the parabolical turn,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:1

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