Proverbs 1

Question 1

מָשָׁל

Answer 1

(The) proverbs mâshâl H4912

Question 2

שְׁלֹמֹה

Answer 2

Solomon shelômôh H8010

Question 3

What is the authorship of the book of Proverbs according to 1:1?

Answer 3

מָשָׁל (The) proverbs mâshâl H4912
שְׁלֹמֹה (of) Solomon shelômôh H8010
Son of David, King of Israel

Question 4

How many listed aims are there in the introduction to the book of Proverbs?

Answer 4

Six. The seventh is an exhortation, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Question 5

What is the 1st listed aim of Mishlei? משלי

Answer 5

To know wisdom and instruction
* יָדַע know yâda‛ H3045 (c.f. Genesis 3:5, 4:1)
* חָכְמָה wisdom chokmâh H2451, used to refer to knowledge of what good to do in service of God (c.f. Ex 35:35, Ex 36:1-2, Deut. 4:6)
* מוּסָר instruction mûsâr H4148, correction and rebuke, chastisement and warning (Ps. 50:17)

Question 6

יָדַע

Answer 6

know yâda‛ H3045 (c.f. Genesis 3:5, 4:1)

Question 7

חָכְמָה

Answer 7

wisdom chokmâh H2451, used to refer to knowledge of what good to do in service of God (c.f. Ex 35:35, Ex 36:1-2, Deut. 4:6)

Question 8

מוּסָר

Answer 8

instruction mûsâr H4148, correction and rebuke, chastisement and warning (Ps. 50:17)

Question 9

What is the 2nd listed aim of Mishlei? משלי

Answer 9

To be taught how to exercise righteousness (tsedeq), justice/judgement (mishpâṭ) and equity(mêyshâr).

Question 10

צֶדֶק

Answer 10

righteousness tsedeq H6664, moral uprightness (Lev. 19:15, Lev. 19:36)

Question 11

מִשְׁפָּט

Answer 11

justice/judgement mishpâṭ H4941, to correctly pronounce a verdict (Gen 18:19, “to do justice and judgement”, Gen 18:25, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”)

Question 12

מֵישָׁר

Answer 12

equity mêyshâr H4339, to be equal and upright in exercising justice, without fear or favour (Ps 96:10, “he shall judge the people righteously”)

Question 13

What is the 3rd listed aim of Mishlei? משלי

Answer 13

To give the simple (pethı̂y) prudence (‛ormâh).

Question 14

פֶּתִי

Answer 14

Simple pethı̂y H6612, a foolish, silly one who cannot discern right from wrong and is easily deceived.

Question 15

עָרְמָה

Answer 15

prudence/subility/guile/discretion ‛ormâh H6195, refers to craftiness which can be used for good or evil, Prv 8:12 “I wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.”

Question 16

What is the 4th listed aim of Mishlei? משלי

Answer 16

To give youth knowledge (da‛ath) and discretion (mezimmâh).

Question 17

דַּעַת

Answer 17

knowledge, referring to knowledge of God, knowledge of a skill or idea, da‛ath H1847

Question 18

מְזִמָּה

Answer 18

discretion machinations (usually crafty or evil, but also slyness and sagaciousness) mezimmâh H4209

Question 19

What is the 5th listed aim of Mishlei? משלי

Answer 19

The wise (châkâm) will hear and increase their learning (leqach) and those who are understanding (bı̂yn) will get guidance (tachbûlâh).

Question 20

חָכָם

Answer 20

wise châkâm H2450, intelligent, skillful, artful with cunning (Ex 7:11, Pharaoh’s wise men, Ex 28:3 the “wise-hearted” who are filled with the spirit of wisdom to make Aaron’s garments)

Question 21

לֶקַח

Answer 21

learning leqach H3948, properly received teaching such as doctrine, but can also refer to inveiglement (deception)

Question 22

בִּין

Answer 22

understanding bı̂yn H995, to separate mentally, to distinguish, to discern, to be informed, Gen 41:33 “there is none so discreet and wise as thou art (to Joseph)”

Question 23

תַּחְבֻּלָה /תַּחְבּוּלָה

Answer 23

guidance/wise counsels tachbûlâh H8458, steerage, guidance, good advice, Prov 11:14 “Where no counsel is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety.”

Question 24

What is the 6th listed aim of Mishlei? משלי

Answer 24

To understand the riddles and dark sayings of the wise.

Question 25

What is the key exhortation of Proverbs?

Answer 25

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom (חָכְמָה chokmâ H2451) and instruction (מוּסָר mûsâr H4148).” (Proverbs 1:7)

• יִרְאָה fear refers to moral reference yir’âh H3374 (Ex 20:20 “his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not”)
• יְהֹוָה the LORD yehôvâh , the covenant name for God

Question 26

What is the contents of the 1st Paternal Appeal? (vs. 8-19)

Answer 26

1. Listen (and obey) your parents, do not be enticed by sinners, who ask you to join them in their endeavours for unjust gain.
   “Hear, my son, you father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” (vs. 8-9)
   * שָׁמַע hear shâma‛ H8085, to hear intelligently to consider and obey
2. Do not be greedy for unjust gain, it will cost you your life.
   “For vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.” (vs. 17-19)

Question 27

What is the contents of Wisdom’s 1st Appeal? (vs. 20-33)

Answer 27

If you listen to and obey wisdom, she will protect you, if you despise and disobey her, you will be destroyed by the fruit of your folly in time.

“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (vs. 29-33)

• מְשֻׁבָה or מְשׁוּבָה turning away, meshûbâh H4878, backsliding, apostasy
• שַׁלְוָה complacency/ abundance/ prosperity or peace (can be genuine or false) shalvâh H7951
• רָעָה or רַע evil/wickedness/great distress râ‛âh

Question 28

יִרְאָה

Answer 28

fear refers to moral reference yir’âh H3374 (Ex 20:20 “his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not”)

Question 29

יְהֹוָה

Answer 29

the LORD yehôvâh , the covenant name for God

Question 30

שָׁמַע

Answer 30

hear shâma‛ H8085, to hear intelligently to consider and obey

Question 31

מְשֻׁבָה or מְשׁוּבָה

Answer 31

turning away, meshûbâh H4878, backsliding, apostasy

Question 32

שַׁלְוָה

Answer 32

complacency/ abundance/ prosperity or peace (can be genuine or false) shalvâh H7951

Question 33

רָעָה or רַע

Answer 33

evil/wickedness/great distress râ‛âh