Proverbs 1:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 1:1-6

We have here an introduction to this book, which some think was prefixed by the collector and publisher, as Ezra; but it is rather supposed to have been penned by Solomon himself, who, in the beginning of his book, proposes his end in writing it, that he might keep to his business, and closely pursue that end. We are here told, I. Who wrote these wise sayings, Prov. 1:1. They are the proverbs of Solomon. 1. His name signifies peaceable, and the character both of his spirit and of his reign... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:1

The proverbs of Solomon ,.... Who is said to make three thousand proverbs, 1 Kings 4:32 ; but whether any of them are contained in this book cannot be said: however, it is certain that they are not all in it, since, if you except the first "nine" chapters, which are the introduction to the Proverbs, there are but six hundred and fifty-nine verses in it; and if they are taken in, they make but nine hundred and fifteen, which are not a third part of the proverbs said to be made by him:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:2

To know wisdom and instruction ,.... That is, these proverbs were made, and written, and published, to make known or to teach men wisdom and knowledge; not only in things moral, and therefore these proverbs are by some called Solomon's "ethics"; and indeed they do contain the best system of morality in the whole world; nothing like it is to be extracted out of all the writings of the Heathen poets and philosophers: nor only in things civil; for which reason they may be called his "politics",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:3

To receive the instruction of wisdom ,.... Or "prudence" F8 השכל "prudentiae", Munster, Vatablus. ; of wise and prudent men; and especially of Christ himself, who bears those names, whose instructions this book is full of; and the design of which is to engage the attention of men to them, and prevail upon them to receive them, and act conformably to them. Which instructions respect the following things; and which are added by way of illustration and amplification, viz. justice,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:1

The proverbs of Solomon - For the meaning of the word proverb, see the introduction; and the dissertation upon parabolical writing at the end of the notes on Matthew 13: Solomon is the first of the sacred writers whose name stands at the head of his works. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:2

To know wisdom - That is, this is the design of parabolical writing in general; and the particular aim of the present work. This and the two following verses contain the interpretation of the term parable, and the author's design in the whole book. The first verse is the title, and the next three verses are an explanation of the nature and design of this very important tract. Wisdom - חכמה chochmah may mean here, and in every other part of this book, not only that Divine science by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:3

To receive the instruction - השכל haskel , the deliberately weighing of the points contained in the teaching, so as to find out their importance. Equity - משרים mesharim , rectitude. The pupil is to receive wisdom and instruction, the words of wisdom and understanding, justice and judgment, so perfectly as to excel in all. Wisdom itself, personified, is his teacher; and when God's wisdom teaches, there is no delay in learning. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:1

The proverbs of Solomon. The word which is here translated "proverbs" is the original mishle ( מִשְׁלֵי ), the construct case of mashal ( מָשָׁל ), which, again, is derived from the verb mashal ( מָשַׁל ), signifying The radical signification of mashal is "comparison" or "similitude," and in this sense it is applied generally to the utterances of the wise. In Numbers 23:7 , Numbers 23:8 it is used of the prophetic predictions of Balaam; certain didactic psalms, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:1-6

Part I. THE TITLE AND SUPERSCRIPTION . The superscription of the Proverbs, which extends from verse 1 to verse 6, furnishes us with an epitome in short and concise language of the general scope and bearing of the book, and points out its specific utility, both to the inexperienced and to those already wise. Thus The title of the book embodied in the text is, 'The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, King of Israel,' but the shorter designation by which it was and is known... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:1-6

Design and character of proverbial wisdom We may regard the opening words as a general index of the contents, as a designation of the object, and a statement of the value and profit of the teaching, of the book. I. ITS DESIGN IS TO IMPART PRACTICAL SENSE . 1 . And first, this in general includes the information of the understanding and of the memory by wisdom. This Hebrew word ( chokmah ) denotes, strictly, all that is fixed for human knowledge. We may render it... read more

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