📖 The Book of Proverbs

Who wrote Proverbs?

Mostly Solomon's, with sections by Agur (ch. 30) and Lemuel (ch. 31), compiled by Hezekiah's men.

Why Proverbs was written

A collection of wise sayings teaching how to navigate work, relationships, speech, money, and character in a way that reflects the fear of the LORD — the beginning of all wisdom.

Outline of Proverbs

1. 11–9: The long poems — a father's instruction; Lady Wisdom vs. Lady Folly
2. 210–22: The proverbs of Solomon — short, pithy contrasts
3. 322–24: The sayings of the wise
4. 425–29: More proverbs of Solomon, collected by Hezekiah's men
5. 530–31: The words of Agur and Lemuel; the virtuous woman

Key verses

How Proverbs points to Christ

The personified Wisdom of chapters 1–9, present at creation (8:22-31), is identified in the NT with Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 2:3). Jesus is the wisdom of God made flesh.

How Proverbs begins

1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;