ILLC Sunday School 2004ILLC Sunday School 2004
The ProverbsThe Proverbs
ILLC 8ILLC 8thth Grade Sunday School Grade Sunday School
ILLC Sunday School 2004ILLC Sunday School 2004
The ProverbsThe Proverbs
VocabularyVocabulary Proverb – A saying that conveys a specific truth Proverb – A saying that conveys a specific truth
in a pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is in a pointed, meaningful way. A proverb is drawn from much experience. drawn from much experience.
The Hebrew word for “proverb” means parallel, The Hebrew word for “proverb” means parallel, “similar” or “a comparison”.“similar” or “a comparison”.
Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in Knowledge- is the apprehension of truth in one’s mind. one’s mind.
Wisdom – The application of truth to one’s life.Wisdom – The application of truth to one’s life.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Three main points of our lessonThree main points of our lesson We will learn who authored the We will learn who authored the
Proverbs.Proverbs. We will learn some of the background We will learn some of the background
for Proverbsfor Proverbs We will become familiar with the content We will become familiar with the content
of some of the Proverbs and how they of some of the Proverbs and how they apply to our lives.apply to our lives.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs is classified as one The Book of Proverbs is classified as one of the Books of Poetry.of the Books of Poetry. The other Books of Poetry are Job, Psalms, The other Books of Poetry are Job, Psalms,
Eccelesiates, and the Song of Solomon.Eccelesiates, and the Song of Solomon. As Psalms is the worship and hymn As Psalms is the worship and hymn
book of the Old Testament, Proverbs is book of the Old Testament, Proverbs is its teacher’s manual. Proverbs are its teacher’s manual. Proverbs are maxims which can easily be memorized, maxims which can easily be memorized, and thus used as advice for daily living.and thus used as advice for daily living.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Who was the author of Proverbs?Who was the author of Proverbs? The Book of Proverbs was largely composed and The Book of Proverbs was largely composed and
complied by king Solomon.complied by king Solomon. Chapters 1-24: Complied by SolomonChapters 1-24: Complied by Solomon Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiah’s scribes copied the Chapters 25-29: King Hezekiah’s scribes copied the
material in these chapters from Solomon’s repertory of material in these chapters from Solomon’s repertory of proverbs.proverbs.
Chapter 30: Composed by AgurChapter 30: Composed by Agur Chapter 31: Composed by LemuelChapter 31: Composed by Lemuel
How many proverbs did Solomon write?How many proverbs did Solomon write? 1 Kings 4:32 “And he spake three thousand 1 Kings 4:32 “And he spake three thousand
proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five”proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five”
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
When was Proverbs written? Before the When was Proverbs written? Before the death of Solomon in 931. They were edited death of Solomon in 931. They were edited by Hezekiah’s scribes in about 700 BC.by Hezekiah’s scribes in about 700 BC.
To whom was Proverbs written?To whom was Proverbs written? To the “wise man” vs 1:5To the “wise man” vs 1:5 To his “son” verse 1:8, 2:1To his “son” verse 1:8, 2:1 The book tells a story, it is a picture of a young The book tells a story, it is a picture of a young
man starting out in life. man starting out in life.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Why was Proverbs written?Why was Proverbs written? To give a young person a sound To give a young person a sound
foundation from which to make wise foundation from which to make wise decisions in life.decisions in life.
To provide a listing of time honored To provide a listing of time honored truths which can serve as a guide in life.truths which can serve as a guide in life.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Why was it written? (continued)Why was it written? (continued) Historical purpose – It served as a kind of Historical purpose – It served as a kind of
teacher’s manual for the wise men of Israel. teacher’s manual for the wise men of Israel. The proverbs are easy to memorize and The proverbs are easy to memorize and provide guidance for life.provide guidance for life.
Doctrinal purpose – True wisdom is based in Doctrinal purpose – True wisdom is based in the fear of God. the fear of God.
Christological purpose – Christ is presented in Christological purpose – Christ is presented in the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the wise the Proverbs as the Wisdom for which the wise man aspires. man aspires.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
The Structure of the ProverbsThe Structure of the Proverbs Literary form – Couplets: Two clauses of Literary form – Couplets: Two clauses of
the couplets are generally related to each the couplets are generally related to each other by parallelism. other by parallelism.
Several kinds of parallelism are used in the Several kinds of parallelism are used in the Proverbs. Four of them are:Proverbs. Four of them are: Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism Antithetic ParallelismAntithetic Parallelism Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism Emblematic ParallelismEmblematic Parallelism
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Synonymous Parallelism Synonymous Parallelism Here the second clause restates what is Here the second clause restates what is
given in the first clause.given in the first clause. Example: “Judgments are prepared for Example: “Judgments are prepared for
scorners, scorners, and stripes for the back of fools” and stripes for the back of fools”
Proverb 19:29Proverb 19:29
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Antithetic (contrast) ParallelismAntithetic (contrast) Parallelism Here a truth, which is stated in the first Here a truth, which is stated in the first
clause, is made stronger in the second clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrast with an opposite clause by contrast with an opposite truth.truth.
Example: “The light of the righteous Example: “The light of the righteous rejoiceth,rejoiceth,
But the lamp of the wicked shall be put But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out” Proverbs 13:9out” Proverbs 13:9
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism Here the second clause develops the Here the second clause develops the
thought of the first.thought of the first. Example “The terror of a king is as the Example “The terror of a king is as the
roaring of a lion;roaring of a lion; He that provoketh him to anger sinneth He that provoketh him to anger sinneth
against his own will” Proverbs 20:2against his own will” Proverbs 20:2
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Emblematic ParallelismEmblematic Parallelism Here the first line is an emblem, Here the first line is an emblem,
illustration, type or example drawn from illustration, type or example drawn from nature or daily life.nature or daily life.
Example: “A man that beareth false Example: “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow” 25:18and a sword, and a sharp arrow” 25:18
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
General Outline of the Book of ProverbsGeneral Outline of the Book of Proverbs I.I. Wisdom and Folly Contrasted Wisdom and Folly Contrasted
(Chapters 1-9)(Chapters 1-9) II.II. Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set Proverbs of Solomon, Written and Set
in Order by Himself (Chapters 10-24)in Order by Himself (Chapters 10-24) III.III. Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by Proverbs of Solomon, Set in Order by
Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29)Men of Hezekiah, (Chapter 25-29) IV.IV. Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30)Oracle of Agur, (Chapter 30) V.V. Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel, Proverbs of a Mother to Lemuel,
(Chapter 31)(Chapter 31)
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
A summary of each chapterA summary of each chapter Words to the wiseWords to the wise
Chapter 1 – Wisdom respects God and Chapter 1 – Wisdom respects God and parents. It rebukes sins and evil.parents. It rebukes sins and evil.
Chapter 2 – It rewards its seekers Chapter 2 – It rewards its seekers morally.morally.
Chapter 3 – It rewards is seekers Chapter 3 – It rewards is seekers physically.physically.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Chapter 4 – It redirects one’s life from evil.Chapter 4 – It redirects one’s life from evil. Chapter 5 – It rejects sensuality.Chapter 5 – It rejects sensuality. Chapter 6 – It reactivates the slothful. It Chapter 6 – It reactivates the slothful. It
represses the desires of lust.represses the desires of lust. Chapter 7 – It resists the evil womanChapter 7 – It resists the evil woman Chapter 8 – It rejoices in God who begat it.Chapter 8 – It rejoices in God who begat it. Chapter 9 – It reproves the righteous who Chapter 9 – It reproves the righteous who
use it.use it.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Word of the WiseWord of the Wise Chapter 10 – It is riches from God.Chapter 10 – It is riches from God. Chapter 11 – It is the righteousness of life.Chapter 11 – It is the righteousness of life. Chapter 12 – It is righteousness in its Chapter 12 – It is righteousness in its
languagelanguage Chapter 13 – It has regard for reproof.Chapter 13 – It has regard for reproof.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Chapter 14 – It is the road of rewardChapter 14 – It is the road of reward Chapter 15 – It exhibits regulation of the Chapter 15 – It exhibits regulation of the
tonguetongue Chapter 16 – It rests in the purpose of God.Chapter 16 – It rests in the purpose of God. Chapter 17 – It refrains from strife.Chapter 17 – It refrains from strife. Chapter 18 – It finds refuge in GodChapter 18 – It finds refuge in God Chapter 19 – It responds to poverty by giving.Chapter 19 – It responds to poverty by giving. Chapter 20/21 – It responds to poverty by Chapter 20/21 – It responds to poverty by
working.working.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Chapter 22 – It provides a reward to Chapter 22 – It provides a reward to the poor.the poor.
Chapter 22b – Wisdom is pleasant.Chapter 22b – Wisdom is pleasant. Chapter 23 – Wisdom is worthwhile.Chapter 23 – Wisdom is worthwhile. Chapter 24 – Wisdom is prosperous.Chapter 24 – Wisdom is prosperous.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Wisdom from the wiseWisdom from the wise Chapter 25-29 – Words from SolomonChapter 25-29 – Words from Solomon Chapter 26-27 – The foolChapter 26-27 – The fool Chapter 28 – The wickedChapter 28 – The wicked Chapter 29 – The stubbornChapter 29 – The stubborn
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Words from Agur and LemuelWords from Agur and Lemuel Chapter 30 – Truth and thingsChapter 30 – Truth and things Chapter 31 – Wine and womenChapter 31 – Wine and women
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Read Proverbs 1:8 Read Proverbs 1:8 What are the two parts of the couplet or What are the two parts of the couplet or
parallelism?parallelism? 1. My, son, hear the instruction of thy father,1. My, son, hear the instruction of thy father, 2. And forsake not the law of thy mother.2. And forsake not the law of thy mother.
How do we apply it in our life?How do we apply it in our life? Students answer.Students answer.
Bonus: What kind of parallelism do you think it is? Bonus: What kind of parallelism do you think it is? I think it is a synthetic parallelism in that the two parts I think it is a synthetic parallelism in that the two parts
are put together to form a whole idea.are put together to form a whole idea.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
Review QuestionsReview Questions Who wrote and/or complied most of Who wrote and/or complied most of
the Proverbs?the Proverbs? SolomonSolomon
How many proverbs did Solomon How many proverbs did Solomon write?write? 30003000
To whom was it written?To whom was it written? ““Wise man” or “son”.Wise man” or “son”.
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The ProverbsThe Proverbs
What does the Hebrew word for What does the Hebrew word for proverb mean?proverb mean? Parallel, similar, or comparisonParallel, similar, or comparison
How can we apply the book of How can we apply the book of Proverbs in our life as a Christian?Proverbs in our life as a Christian?