Tyndale Open Study NotesProverbs 22

A wise person will not risk their reputation for money.

Remembering that the Lord created both rich and poor helps stop the exploitation of the poor.

The idea of being careful appears in several proverbs (Proverbs 14:8, 15; 21:29). See the parallel passage in Proverbs 27:12.

Fear of the LORD (see Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) is closely linked with humility. A humble person understands he is not the center of the universe. Humility is more valuable than wealth (Proverbs 16:19; see also 11:2; 15:33; 18:12).

Living by deceit is risky. Corrupt people never know when others will discover their treachery or when it will backfire.

This warns against borrowing. Other proverbs advise against guaranteeing others' debts (Proverbs 6:1–2; 20:16).

Even a bad ruler wants advisers with a pure heart, meaning they are completely loyal and speak kindly.

This proverb reminds wise people (those with knowledge) that the Lord controls everything.

Among the many proverbs about laziness (Proverbs 10:4–6, 26; 12:11; 13:4; 14:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25; 26:13), this one is the funniest. Lazy people will invent any wild excuse to avoid working.

An immoral woman uses flattery and seduction to lure a young man into committing a sin.

We learn wisdom; it is not inherited or natural. Discipline is needed to turn foolishness into wisdom.

A person advances through hard work, not by taking advantage of the poor or bribing the wealthy (compare Proverbs 22:29).

Like the prologue in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:2–7) and the introductions to the individual discourses (see Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–11), this section starts by encouraging listening. This wisdom goes beyond practical advice; it aims to inspire trust in the Lord.

This section is attributed to a group known as the wise, but their identity is unknown. There is a mention of thirty sayings (Proverbs 22:20). The wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections. These sections are similar to an Egyptian work called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters.

thirty sayings: Early scribes observed that the Hebrew word for thirty was written in an unusual form (shlshwm) instead of the usual form (shlyshym). All early translations of the Old Testament, such as the Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, and Syriac Peshitta, interpret it as thirty. However, some choose to translate the word as excellent sayings.

Saying 1: God protects the weak, including the poor. Those who are wealthy should be generous to the poor (Proverbs 11:24–26; 21:13; 22:9, 16; 28:27).

Saying 2: An angry or hot-tempered person cannot control their emotions and shows anger at the wrong times.

This proverb's message is also found in Proverbs 6:1–5; 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 27:13.

Saying 4: In ancient times, stones marked property boundaries. Moving these markers was a serious offense (see also Proverbs 23:10; Deuteronomy 19:14).

Saying 5: People who improve their skills and work hard will get the best jobs and work for the best employers.