Appropriately, the verse few verses of Proverbs 1 act as an introduction to the book.
The proverbs of Shlomo (Solomon) the son of David, king of Isra’el, are for learning about wisdom and discipline; for understanding words expressing deep insight; for gaining an intelligently disciplined life, doing what is right, just and fair; for endowing with caution those who don’t think and the young person with knowledge and discretion.
vs. 1-4
Shlomo/Solomon
Shlomo (Solomon) was considered to be the wisest man alive (1 Kings 4:29-31 KJV, 5:9-11 CJB). We are also told that he composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. I honestly can’t say if all of them are within Scripture. I would certainly love to read what he may have written if they are not. Nonetheless, we do have much of his history, Proverbs, Songs, and what are believed to be his final thoughts before death in Ecclesiastes. They are all certainly worth the time looking over and internalizing.
Shlomo’s (שְׁלֹמֹה) name in Hebrew essentially means peace with the root being Shalom (שלום). It was appropriately given when he was born after David’s first child with Bathsheba (conceived out of wedlock) was stricken ill and died. When Shlomo was born, he was given a name meaning peace because of what I believe to be because David and Bathsheba’s time of trouble had come to an end.
Careful Consideration
As we take a look at these first few verses, it is important to note that when Scripture was first written, there were no chapters or verses. They were added much later with chapters being added in the 12th century and verses being added in the 16th century. With that said, when reading any book, chapter, or verse, we need to discern the context and know when it is important to include a thought or to separate them. That is why I start these studies into the Proverbs with only the first 6 verses.
It has been said that there is a chapter for every day of the month (31 in total). While I do support someone choosing to read a Proverb a day, I would suggest this practice after first carefully studying each individual Proverb one by one. And no, each verse is not always it’s own Proverb nor is one chapter.
Let’s go back and take a look at Shlomo’s introduction. He explains that these proverbs are for learning about “wisdom and discipline.” This is an excellent method of learning to live a disciplined life; by reading these proverbs. It is most beneficial for learning justice, righteousness, fairness, and for growing into maturity. These are qualities that each person should strive for in their lives. Imagine if someone asked to describe you and they said, “they are wise, disciplined, just, righteous, and fair.” What an incredible honor to be called such things! And these proverbs are where you can learn to live in that way.
The First Proverb
I enjoy reading in the CJB for various reasons. Some of which is because of the use of the original Hebrew words and names (i.e. Shlomo instead of Solomon), but also because certain sections are spaced out differently. However, I take some small issue with the CJB’s decision to place verses 5-6 along with the introduction. I understand why it does, but these two verses are an almost “blink and you miss it” proverb – Shlomo’s first proverb of the book.
Someone who is already wise will hear and learn still more; someone who already understands will gain the ability to counsel well; he will understand proverbs, obscure expressions, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
vs. 5-6
It’s actually quite genius how Shlomo wrote this because while it is part of the introduction, it is also a proverb all on it’s own. Now, as you read this on your own, you should practice understanding the meaning for yourself. It has meaning that I think we can agree on collectively, however (as is with the majority of Scripture), there can be other meanings derived for each of us individually that others man not get for themselves.
As I read this passage, my understanding is that a well experienced and learned person always continues to gain more experience and to learn more than they already know. It is the quality of a good judge, teacher, or leader. Such a person can hear or read something obscure or profound and make sense of it in various ways which is to the benefit of them and others. It’s so simple, but it is also worth more than gold and riches. It’s one thing to read them, but another to put into practice. That is why I prefer to take time to observe each individual proverb; if you read them in chapter-long portions, it is too easy to miss the depth of these sayings because you are attempting to absorb too much all at once. I like to call this “taking a moment to selah.”
Selah (a word with meaning that is heavily debated) is a word that can mean to “stop and think about that”, to “pause a moment”, or to “pile/stock up.” All possible meanings are useful because of what we’ve already seen in this first proverb which is to “continue to gain knowledge.” Likewise, as we are taking these one proverb at a time, it is to pause and ponder the depth of each one.
Proverbs In Action
As we bring this to a close, let’s look at this particular proverb in action.
In the Gospels, Yeshua speaks a parable commonly known as “the Farmer scattering seed.” This event is a rather long read, so I would recommend reading the whole account found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.
To break it down, Yeshua was teaching a crowd of people and, in his common fashion, he did so using parables. This particular parable involved a farmer that went out to “sow his seed.” Some fell alongside the path where birds came and ate them, others fell on rocky patches where there was little soil and the sun dried them up, some among thorns where their plants were chocked out, and then some that fell into “rich soil” that produced plenty.
He finishes the parable by saying, “Those who have ears, let them hear!” To me, this sounds very much like the proverb in this study where Shlomo said that an already wise person “will understand proverbs, obscure expressions, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”
Someone who is not wise may hear this and, like in the parable, the seed Yeshua planted with the parable itself would not sprout or produce. But a wise person will seek out the deeper meaning, just as his disciples do shortly after Yeshua had finished speaking. Though he quotes Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) in his explanation, what he says is profoundly similar to Shlomo’s proverb.
In closing, I will leave you with his teaching for you to compare and consider:
“So listen to what the parable of the sower means. Whoever hears the message about the Kingdom, but doesn’t understand it, is like the seed sown along the path — the Evil One comes and seizes what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is like a person who hears the message and accepts it with joy at once, but has no root in himself. So he stays on for a while; but as soon as some trouble or persecution arises on account of the message, he immediately falls away. Now the seed sown among thorns stands for someone who hears the message, but it is choked by the worries of the world and the deceitful glamor of wealth, so that it produces nothing. However, what was sown on rich soil is the one who hears the message and understands it; such a person will surely bear fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:18-23
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