Proverbs Chapter 1
1:1. The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for proverb is "comparison," but it came to stand for a wide range of
wise pronouncements including the byword (Jer. 24:9), lament (Mic. 2:4), and thought-provoking saying (Ezek.12:
22; 18:2). In the Book of Proverbs the word is used to refer to an aphorism, or concise statement of a principle (10:
1ff.), or to a discourse (1:8-9:18).
1:2. Wisdom is the key word of the book and basically means "skill in living." It is used in the Old Testament to refer
to a physical skill such as tailoring (Ex. 28:3), metalwork and woodwork (Ex. 31:3-6), spinning (Ex. 35:26), engraving
and designing (Ex. 35:35), and warfare (Is. 10:13). Used metaphorically, as in Proverbs, it refers to the skill to live
life successfully. Instruction refers to moral discipline of one's life, not to classroom instruction. Understanding
means the capability to distinguish between true and false, good and bad, what matters most and what does not
matter at all.
1:3. Wisdom, a different Hebrew word from that used in verse 2, means "wise behavior," "wise dealing," "good
sense." Justice is the same word as the righteousness and refers to conformity to God's law. Judgement is a legal
term used of a judge's verdict and refers to right behavior. Equity is fairness in one's dealings with others.
1:4. The simple are naive young people open to any influence, among the chief addresses in the book. Knowledge
means the apprehension of reality, including an experiential knowledge of God. Discretion refers to the power of
formulating and carrying out the right measures.
1:5. The wise as well as the untaught can learn from this book.
1:6. Dark sayings is the term for "riddles," or those thought-provoking sayings of the wise.
1:7. The fear of the Lord means submission to the Lord and His revelation. When one is afraid of something, he
either runs from it or submits to it. The latter idea is in view here. It is a healthy fear, like the fear of electricity or the
fear of one's parents, which causes one to act in an appropriate manner. The beginning does not mean that "the
fear of the Lord" is left behind in the course of acquiring wisdom, but that it is the controlling principle of wisdom.
1:8. My son begins the first of 10 similar discourses in which the father appeals to the son to listen to his counsel
and choose wisdom over folly. The mention of the mother shows that the original setting of the book was the home,
not the court or school.
1:9. Chains about thy neck, that is, an adornment or thing of beauty in one's life.
1:10. Occasionally the expression my son occurs within a discourse. The wise son rejects the invitation of criminals
who promise wealth without work (v. 13). The verse stresses the individual's responsibility to avoid the tempter's
snare (cf. James 1:14, 15).
1:20-33. Wisdom is personified here as a prophetess calling in public places to everyone to come to her and learn.
Three groups are especially singled out in the appeal: the simple ones, or untaught; the scorners, or scoffers; and
the fools, or morally dull (v. 22). The consequences of rejecting wisdom are immense (vv. 26-28).
Proverbs Chapter 2
2:1-22. The conditions for obtaining wisdom are given first; one must earnestly seek it, as a prospector would
search for gold (vv. 1-4). It is not an undirected search, however, since the parent's instruction is the basis. The
consequences of obtaining wisdom are then listed (vv. 5-22): knowledge of God (vv. 5-8) and right conduct (vv. 9-
22).
2:16-19. This is the first of five passages in chapters 1-9 in which the son is warned to avoid sexual sin (cf. 5:1-23; 6:
23-35; 7:4-27; 9:13-18). The strange woman means a foreigner, because most often the harlot was an alien.
Proverbs Chapter 3
3:1-12. This passage may be divided into six sections, each containing a command and a reason to obey that
command.
3:3. About thy neck: The teachings should be made as much a part of one's adornment as a necklace. The table of
thine heart, that is, the mind.
3:5, 6. Three commands are given; trust, meaning "rely on, depend on"; lean not, meaning do not depend on your
own native instincts; and acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in all of life. The result of
such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.
3:11, 12. God's correction shows His love (cf. Heb. 12:5, 6).
3:19, 20.Wisdom is so important that God Himself used it in creating the world.
3:27-35. The needy neighbor is to be helped (vv. 27, 28); the innocent neighbor is to be respected and left alone
(vv. 29, 30); and the wicked neighbor is not to be envied (vv. 31-35).
Proverbs Chapter 4
4:3, 4. Three generations are linked together in the transmission of wisdom. Note that it is transmitted by personal
influence, especially in the home.
4:10-19. Here is a good summary of the theology of the entire book: two paths to choose from (cf. v. 16 with Matt. 7:
13, 14).
4:22. Life in Proverbs often means "full life, abundant life," and the absence of such life is frequently called "death."
4:23. Heart could often be translated "mind" in the book. Since the Hebrews had no separate word for "mind," the
word "heart" often served to represent the seat of intellect. The key to the whole man is his mind. Whatever
captures the mind captures the man.
Proverbs Chapter 5
5:1-6. The son must incorporate the values of the father into his life before the temptation described actually occurs.
More stability prior to the temptation is the prerequisite for successful resistance.
5:9-14. The price of unchastity is immense: the loss of wealth (v. 10); the loss of health, a possible reference to
venereal disease (v. 11); and self-regret (vv. 12-14). God tells the believer ahead of time what he will say if he gets
involved in this sin.
5:15-18. The divine answer to sexual desire is fidelity within the material bond. Sexual virility is here described as
running waters that must be preserved for legitimate relationships.
5:19. Ravished means "intoxicated, exhilarated." This verse shows that the sexual relationship in marriage exists for
pleasure as well as procreation.
5:21-23. Another reason for rejecting sexual temptation is that the Lord see all and will punish the wrongdoer. He
shall die does not necessarily mean a physical death, but it refers to an absence of life. The adulterer will miss out
on the full and joyous life that God intended.
Proverbs Chapter 6
6:1-5. Surety for thy friend means to put on security for someone else's loan. This is a foolish act that can be
remedied only by immediately pleading release by the friend (v. 3).
6:6-11. The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. he is admonished to learn two important lessons from the ant: (1)
the ant has no guide, overseer, or ruler (v. 7), meaning that the ant does not have a taskmaster standing over it to
make it work; it is a self-starter. (2) The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances (v. 8). Two
questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (v. 9). His answer is given in verse 10: "Just a little bit more sleep!"
The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber (v. 11).
6:12-15. The wicked person winketh with his eyes, and so on. It must be understood that the evil man is winking,
shuffling his feet, and pointing with his fingers for evil purposes. Frowardness refers to moral perversity (v. 14).
6:16-19. The seven things the Lord hates are listed, the first five being described poetically under parts of the body
associated with a particular sin: (1) a proud look, (lit., "proud eyes"); (2) a lying tongue; (3) hands that shed
innocent blood; (4) a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; (5) feet that be swift in running to mischief; (6) a false
witness; and (7) he that soweth discord among brethren. It is clear from the last two items in the list that God is
describing people whom He hates. The word hate should not be taken in an absolute sense, however, because it
means "to reject from one's fellowship." These are the kinds of people whom God rejects.
6:20-35. A third warning against adultery.
6:21. Thine heart, better, "mind," The first thing to protect against the adulteress is not the body, but the mind.
6:27-35. Two comparisons are used to demonstrate the folly of adultery: (1) Just as fire burns clothing and coals
burn feet, so adultery inevitably brings punishment; and (2) the punishment for adultery in unending in a sense. A
thief may satisfy his victim with an appropriate payment, but an offended husband cannot be bought off (v. 35).
Proverbs Chapter 6:16-19 (7 deadly sins)
Proverbs 6:16-19
The seven things the Lord hates are listed, the first five being described poetically under parts of the body
associated with a particular sin: (1) a proud look, (literally “proud eyes”); (2) a lying tongue; (3) hands that shed
innocent blood; (4) a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations: (5) feet that be swift in running to mischief; (6) a false
witness: and (7) he that soweth discord among brethren. It is clear from the last two items in the list that God is
describing people whom He hates. The word hate should not be taken in an absolute sense, however, because it
means “to reject from one’s fellowship.” These are the kings of people whom God rejects.
Sisters and brothers, I am led by the Holy Ghost to speak on subjects that are prevalent today. Remember God is
the same yesterday, today and forever. He is a God that changes not. However, God expects us to change when we
repent and say that we are now, a child of God and on the path of righteousness. As a spiritual leader, I have been
in the presence of those that intentionally lie on each other, those that bare false witness against each other and
those that waist no time sowing discord among the church congregations. I have sat with spiritual leaders in the
pulpit who are prideful, arrogant, jealous, contentious, mean and cruel. Those things in which God speaks of
concerning his pastors in Jeremiah chapter 23.
I don’t claim to be self-righteousness because my righteousness is of God. I do not claim to be the holy one, but my
holiness comes through the Holy Ghost that Jesus sent on earth that we might be endued with the power from
heaven (on high).
We must be on one accord. There are churches on every corner, yet sickness is rampid. There are churches that
believe in divine healing, prophecy etc. And there are those that state these things discontinued with the death of
the Apostles.
Not So. I being a cancer survivor (terminal) having received no chemotherapy, no radiation treatment, just prayer in
accordance to James chapter 5, and I am healed. No Cancer can be found throughout my body. And I have had
every test known to man. Sin and God cannot abide in the same place.
You figure my healing out.
Proverbs Chapter 7
Proverbs 7:1-27 A fourth warning against immorality consumes the entire chapter. The victim in this case is a young
man (v.7) who is naïve and untaught in moral discipline. He is at the wrong place at the wrong time (vv. 8, 9). The
description of the harlot is vivid: she has the attire of a harlot (v.10) which gives her intentions away; her character is
loud and stubborn (v. 11); and her movements are all about town (v.12). She uses shock treatment (v. 13); tells him
that the time is ideal, a religious holiday (v. 14); and the place is ideal, a luxurious bedroom (vv. 16. 17). Finally, the
Goodman (husband) is not at home (v. 19) so there is nothing to fear. The one who so yields is as an ox goeth to
the slaughter (v. 22). Since the father realizes that his sons before the time of temptation occurs. The destiny of
those who commit such a sin is death (v.27), or else a missing out on the real joy of married love. The real intimacy
and pleasure that God intended in the marital act is forfeited in the adulterous relationship.
Sisters and brothers, as a consecrated Bishop, a servant of God and servant of humanity, I appeal to you today
regarding the new but not so new sin that is causing marriages to fail and wives and husbands to be killed. God told
Hosea to go marry a prostitute to show Israel that they had gone a whoring after other gods. He did not tell you or I
to do this, but Hosea. Men, you stand before God and you say “I take this woman to be my lawful wedded wife”
meaning, the laws of God and the laws of man. Women you stand and make the same statement. And as soon as
the two of you step aside of the church sanctuary, you flip up your phones and talk to your other lover. The one that
you should be talking to is Jesus. You do not do that. Because Jesus will not condone the sin in the flesh.
Go out to the cemetery you will see headstones but they do not say why this person died. But there is a book called
the book of Life, where every deed is recorded and God is the judge.
Proverbs Chapter 8
8:1-36. In contrast to the evil woman of chapter 7, another "woman" is presented: Wisdom personified again as a
prophetess whose call the son should heed. After calling to all classes of men to come and be wise (vv. 4, 5),
Wisdom praises in the first person her own moral excellence (vv. 6-9) and value (vv. 10-21). Furthermore, the Lord
Himself did not begin to create the universe apart from wisdom (vv. 22-31). The climax of the passage is found in
verses 32-36: whoso findeth me findeth life (v. 35). Only he who is wise is truly and fully alive.
Although some have associated verses 22-31 with the creative work if the preincarnate Christ (cf. John 1:1-3; Col. 1:
15-17) who is revealed as the Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24; Col. 2:3), the major emphasis of the context is on God's
own use of wisdom in creating the universe. Those who would urge a reference to Christ here sometimes go on to
point out that the Hebrew word translated "possessed" (v. 22) is rendered "created" in the Greek translation of the
Old Testament, thus inferring that Christ is less than fully eternal God. However, although the Hebrew word (qanah)
can at times be pressed to bear such a meaning (e.g., Ps. 139:13), it basically means "acquire," or "possess" (that
which has been acquired). The translation "possess" is clearly the meaning elsewhere in Proverbs and best fits the
context here. Thus, the point is that in setting out to create the universe. God utilized wisdom as a basic principle of
procedure.
Proverbs Chapter 9
9:1-18. Chapter 9 serves as an epilogue to the 10 exhortations of the first eight chapters.One last time the father
sets before the son the ultimate choice the son must make between wisdom and folly. Wisdom invites the son to her
feast (vv. 1-6), but Folly. pictured as the foolish, adulterous woman, likewise invites the listener to her feast (vv. 13-
18). The latter passage is the fifth and final warning against sexual immortality. The response to these two
invitations can be that of scoffer or mocker (vv. 7, 8) or that of the wise man (vv. 9-11). To listen to Wisdom is to live
(v. 6), or gain abundant life; to listen to Folly is to die (v. 18), or tragically miss out on what life is all about. The
father has properly taught the son. It is now the the son's decision as to whom to follow. One way leads to life, the
other, to death.
Proverbs Chapter 10
10:1. The second Solomonic collection begins here and goes through 22:16. It consists of 375 individual proverbs,
each of which expresses a complete idea. This is one of the few places in Scripture where context is little or no help.
Each proverb represents in a practical way the choice one must make between the way of Wisdom and the way of
Folly. Since these proverbs are unconnected, the best way to study them is by topics (see Introduction).
10:2. A stark contrast int he profits of wickedness and the profits of righteousness: nothing versus life.
10:11. One of the favorite topics of Proverbs is the tongue. Life-giving words come from a righteous heart and
violent words come from a wicked heart.
10:26. A sluggard is as irritating as vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes.
Proverbs Chapter 11
11:1. A false balance refers to dishonest measures, for example, selling grain at less weight than the sellers states.
11:14. The wise man gets advice from many people of good judgement before making a decision.
11:22. Discretion is more important than outward beauty.
11:24. Scattereth means to be generous in your giving. It can lead to prosperity, but miserliness can lead to poverty.
11:25. Made fat means "prosperous".
Proverbs Chapter 12
12:4. A virtuous woman (cf. 31:10-31) elevates her husband, but the shameful wife brings ruin to him.
12:10. A righteous man is kind to animals, but the wicked is cruel.
12:11. Hard work brings the reward of plenty to eat.
12:18. Words have the power to penetrate where now sword can touch, for good or for evil. A wise man uses his
tongue for constructive purposes.
12:25. A good word is a kind word that cheers the heart.
Proverbs Chapter 13
13:3. The reward of cautious speech is fuller life and the avoidance of unnecessary trouble.
13:12. Hope deferred depresses, but its fulfillment revitalizes.
13:20. Wisdom, as well as folly, can be transferred by association.
13:24. Love and discipline go together. The rod does not necessarily mean a spanking but simply whatever physical
discipline is reasonable for the offense. The rod refers to a branch or switch. It is a small object that stings, but does
not inflict serious bodily harm. The use of the rod for spanking is clearly taught in Scripture in preference to
spanking with one's hand (cf. 10:13; 22:15; 23:14, 15; 29:15). Hateth is used comparatively. The parent who does
not discipline does not really love is child properly. While the popular adage: "Spare the rod, spoil the child" is not a
direct biblical quotation, it certainly expresses a biblical idea.