Tyndale Open Study NotesProverbs 10

This section is called The Proverbs of Solomon. It mostly contains short pieces of advice and observations. These sayings often use antithetical parallelism to compare wisdom and righteousness with foolishness and wickedness. The proverbs seem to be arranged randomly, similar to Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature. Some proverbs repeat:

• Proverbs 6:10–11 and 24:33–34

• Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25

• Proverbs 18:8 and 26:22

• Proverbs 19:24 and 26:15

• Proverbs 20:16 and 27:13

• Proverbs 21:9 and 25:24

• Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12

Sometimes, a group of proverbs shares a similar theme (for example, Proverbs 16:1–11).

Godly parents feel joy or grief based on how well their child follows wise principles.

Ill-gotten treasures...righteousness: The book of Proverbs values good behavior more than money (see also Proverbs 11:18; 13:11, 22).

This proverb can be misused if people think outward results show someone's godliness. Job's three friends, for example, wrongly thought Job must have sinned to deserve his suffering (see Job 22:6–11).

Lazy people make unwise choices, but hard workers make wise decisions (see also Proverbs 10:26; 26:13–16).

the name of the wicked will rot: In ancient Israel, as in today's Middle East, honor and shame were strong motivators.

Paths symbolize life (see Proverbs 1:15).

• To ignore wrongdoing suggests approval of bad behavior instead of addressing it.

• foolish lips will come to ruin: The Berean Standard Bible follows the Hebrew version (the Masoretic Text). Some scholars think this wording might have been influenced by Proverbs 10:8. Instead, they follow the Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), which says, "the one who rebukes with confidence makes peace."

Like a fountain gives water to support life, the words of good people give life to listeners. In contrast, the hidden violent intentions in the words of bad people lead to death (see also Proverbs 10:6; James 3:1–12).

rod is for the back: People without sense harm themselves with their words. For information on physical discipline, see Proverbs 23:13–14.

While wealth can protect against problems, it can also cause them (Proverbs 13:8) and give a false sense of security (Proverbs 18:10–11).

Wise people welcome corrections to their thoughts or actions. They see discipline as a chance to become wiser.

People who talk too much often reveal their lack of knowledge and cause problems for themselves (see also Proverbs 10:17; 13:3; 17:28).

Words express what is in the heart.

The wicked may enjoy life's material blessings, but only for a short time, unlike the godly. Jesus also explained this truth (Matthew 7:24–27).

This saying relates to God's covenant promises to Israel (see Deuteronomy 28:1–14, 63–68). These connections are uncommon in Proverbs.