Proverbs
Author: Solomon and others · Date: c. 970 – 700 BC
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Introduction
Proverbs is the great wisdom anthology of the Old Testament — short, pungent, memorable sayings about how life actually works in God's world. The opening nine chapters are an extended father-to-son appeal to embrace wisdom and shun folly. The middle chapters are a vast collection of pithy proverbs covering speech, money, work, friendship, sex, anger, parenting, and government. The book closes with the magnificent portrait of the virtuous woman in chapter 31.
Outline
- Prologue: a father's appealProverbs 1–9
- Proverbs of SolomonProverbs 10–22
- Words of the wiseProverbs 22:17 – 24:34
- More Solomonic proverbsProverbs 25–29
- Words of Agur and LemuelProverbs 30–31
Key verses
More book introductions
GenesisBeginnings — of the world, of humanity, of sin, of redemption.PsalmsThe inspired prayer book of God's people in every generation.IsaiahSalvation belongs to the Lord — judgment on the proud, comfort for the humble, a Servant who suffers.ExodusRedemption from bondage and the establishment of covenant worship.