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Study Lesson 11: Proverbs - continued

11:1 Connect

Proverbs 10:1 begins a new section titled simply, “the proverbs of Solomon,” and stretches
through 22:16. The first verse in the next section is about the “sayings of the wise” (22:17).
Up to this point, the reader does not have too much trouble understanding the material.
Like most books one paragraph can be distinguished from the next. Chapter nine begins
with a description of lady wisdom (9:1-6), progresses through a paragraph highlighting the
difference between mockers and the wise (9:7-12), and ending on a description of lady folly (9:13-18).
The paragraph breaks are clear as is the topic chapter.

In these next chapters we do not find such neat paragraphs. Many commentators have described this
section as not having organization. “The 375 proverbs which are classed together in this part … are
without any comprehensive plan, but only according to their more or fewer conspicuous common
characteristics…, consist all and every one of distichs [couplets].” 167 The verses are made up of two
statements in contrast to one another often divided by the word “but.” “A wise son brings joy to his
father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother (10:1).” As verse follows verse, the form is the same
but the topic changes. A son’s effect on his parents in verse one shifts to money in verse two. “Ill-gotten
treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death (10:2).” Is there a connection?

11.2 Objectives

1. You will learn some terms for writing forms that help to interpret individual proverbs.

2. You will note the different sections in Proverbs including those written by people other than
Solomon.

3. You will see how the end of Proverbs repeats the beginning through an emphasis on Lady Wisdom.

11.3 Terms for Interpretation

Older commentators reflect on the verses devotionally with little effort to see larger
patterns. They pull much good spiritual truth out of each verse or even half-verse. We can
learn much from them. Their wisdom speaks to all ages. Note how George Lawson (1749-
1820) a Scottish clergyman, handles 10:3b, “The Lord…casteth away the substance of the
wicked (KJV).”

But the wicked are not so. While the righteous are sure of being satisfied in days of
famine, they are near to ruin in their greatest abundance; for the Lord casts away that
which they call their substance. Many of them will take care not to spend it upon riotous

167 F. Delitzsch, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1975), 15.
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