Proverbs 1:1

TITLE, OBJECT, AND MOTTO, Proverbs 1:1-7.

1. The Proverbs The first sentence is the title or superscription of the book, though not, as in modern usage, set apart as such, but run in to the body of the text. The same usage is found elsewhere, as in many of the Psalms; for example, Psalms 15:0 (in the Hebrew.) Also in the New Testament, Matthew 1:1, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ;” also, Mark 1:1. Compare Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 25:1.

A proverb is a sententious maxim, or a short, comprehensive, and weighty saying, expressed frequently, but not always, in metaphorical language; or the terms are employed in an unusual and peculiar sense, and are, therefore, more or less obscure, requiring some effort of the mind to apprehend them. This seeming disadvantage is compensated by the stronger impression following such mental effort; and, consequently, by an easier and more perfect retention in the memory. The Hebrew word משׁלים , meshalim, from משׁל , mashal 1, to rule; 2, to liken, to make like, or be like involves the idea of an authoritative, influential, or important saying, implying or expressing a comparison, simile, or metaphor of some kind. Hence it is used, in a very general and comprehensive way, for a similitude or parable, Ezra 17:2; 24:3: Judges 9:7, etc.; 2 Samuel 12:1, etc.; 2 Kings 14:9; for a sententious saying or apothegm, such as consists in the ingenious comparison of two things, sentiments, etc., as in many of the proverbs of this book; for a proverb proper, or a byword, as in 1 Samuel 10:12; Ezekiel 12:22-23; for a verse, song, or poem, the members of which, by the laws of parallelism, consist of two hemistichs similar in form and sense, or the one in antithesis with the other. It is specially used of prophecy, Numbers 23:7; Numbers 23:18; of a didactic discourse, Job 27:1; Job 29:1; Psalms 49:5; Psalms 78:2; sometimes of a satirical poem or song of derision, as in Deuteronomy 28:37. Our word proverb, in its more specific sense, (taken as an abbreviation of proverbia, for words, that is, many in one, or a word for many,) is a suitable name for this book, a great portion of which consists of short, comprehensive utterances, giving character to the work. But in the more generic sense of the Hebrew word we have the book completely covered. One word, meshalim, stands for the whole.