Tyndale Open Study NotesProverbs 1

Solomon is the authority on Israelite wisdom (see 1 Kings 3:1–28; 4:32). Many proverbs are attributed to Solomon, but he did not write all of them (see Proverbs 22:17; 24:23; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1).

Wisdom is practical knowledge that involves ethical choices. Words like right, just, and fair are associated with biblical wisdom. Gaining wisdom requires discipline, which means actively and intentionally training yourself toward wisdom and away from foolishness. The book of Proverbs encourages us to resist our natural sinful tendencies toward wrong behavior.

This introduction explains the book's purpose and identifies the different audiences it addresses.

Simple people are like empty containers. Wisdom and foolishness compete to fill their minds and hearts (see Proverbs 9:1–18).

Proverbs help wise people understand riddles. Here the Hebrew word (khidoth) means enigmas or paradoxes—difficult sayings that need interpretation (see Judges 14:14).

Fear of the Lord means relying completely on God for everything, including knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It is not just a way of thinking; it involves serving, loving, and obeying God’s laws (see Deuteronomy 10:12–13). Fear of the Lord is the basis of all knowledge. How can we understand life without knowing its most basic truth—that God created it?

In the book of Proverbs, there are two paths (Proverbs 1:15):

• A wise and just path

• A foolish and evil path

The parents represent the wise path and encourage their child to follow it.

my son: Like other wisdom literature from the ancient Near East, much of Proverbs 1–9 contains a father's (and sometimes a mother's) advice to a son. Since the son is learning his father's job, much of the teaching is about the son's future work. Some translations (like The New Living Translation) often use the term child because the lessons apply to both sons and daughters.

garland of grace… pendant: Ornaments often symbolize wisdom and its rewards (see also Proverbs 3:22; 4:9). This imagery encourages people to seek wisdom with effort.

The father warns his child not to join a group of wrongdoers planning to attack innocent people. Their evil actions will eventually harm them (see Proverbs 28:10; Psalms 9:15; 35:8). The evil path involves violence and theft.

like Sheol: In the Old Testament, Sheol is the place of the dead. It is not always associated with punishment.

Birds avoid obvious traps, but greedy people do not. When they choose violence and robbery, they risk losing their lives violently. They might die during the crime or be punished with death if caught. Even if wrongdoers succeed until they die, they will experience judgment after death, while the righteous will be with God (see Psalm 1).

The author describes wisdom as a woman. In Hebrew, the word for wisdom, khokmah, is grammatically feminine. The author encourages his son to embrace wisdom (see Proverbs 3:18; 8:1–9:6).

Proverbs uses three main words to describe those who lack God's wisdom:

• Simple ones (Hebrew pethim) have not rejected God's wisdom and are most open to correction (see Proverbs 1:4).

• Fools (Hebrew kesilim) have heard God's wisdom but resist it.

• Scoffers (Hebrew latsonim) not only resist wisdom but also ridicule it.

Wisdom invites all three groups to come so she can make them wise (Proverbs 1:22). Having a close relationship with Wisdom means beginning a close relationship with God, which is the basis of true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; see Job 28).

you neglected all my counsel: This is like ignoring God's call (see Psalm 14). God calls us through:

• creation (Psalm 8; Romans 1:18–20)

• Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21)

I will not answer: If someone has not sought wisdom before trouble comes, it is often too late to learn.

they hated knowledge: Proverbs uses strong language. You either love and accept Wisdom or hate and reject her.

People who do wrong will face the results of their actions (see Proverbs 1:15–19). God will make sure that sinners get the proper punishment (see Matthew 25:44–46; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 2:9).

Wise people do not fear. They trust that God is in control, and wisdom helps them deal with every situation.