Old Testament

Proverbs

Author Primarily Solomon, with contributions from Agur and Lemuel

Date Written ~970–700 BC

Chapters 31

Theme Practical wisdom for daily living

Summary

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that teach skill in living according to God's moral order. Rooted in the fear of the LORD as the beginning of knowledge, it addresses topics from relationships and work to speech and character.

Outline

Purpose and Theme (1:1–7)
Instructions on Wisdom (1:8–9:18)
Proverbs of Solomon (10:1–22:16)
Sayings of the Wise (22:17–24:34)
More Proverbs of Solomon (25–29)
Words of Agur and Lemuel (30–31)

Key Verses

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 22:6

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Christ in Proverbs

Personified wisdom in chapters 1–9 as a picture of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 1:30); Christ as the wisdom of God

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