Proverbs (Bible)

Proverbs contains both short sayings and longer passages, intended to teach us how to live wisely (rather than foolishly or simple-mindedly).

The main focus is on moral issues. But these issues are not abstract "principles," "theories" or "dry doctrine." Rather, they are expressions of life - concrete examples of how to live. (In some cases, they are descriptions of how the wicked live, or explanations of various issues, such as the issue of injustice.) These issues not only influence the blessings we may experience; but they often have an affect on others around us - and even on the environment in which we live. (Example: Proverbs 12:10 describes the way a righteous person treats his animals.)

In the Proverbs, there is a lot of emphasis on issues such as:

1. One's attitude toward others.
2. One's treatment of others.
3. Lifestyle issues.
4. Justice.

Most Proverbs teach about values, or the relationships between different, often conflicting, values. (See: Values Hierarchy.) Concepts will often be associated together, either as opposites (values that do not go together) or complements (values that do go together).

Understanding such issues is important, when trying to evaluate the values promoted by society around us. Quite frequently, seemingly good values are linked to evil concepts or actions, because of the way the relationships between values and concepts have been wrongly defined. (An example would be the association of the concept "Abortion" (the evil concept) with "Choice" (a seemingly good value), rather than with "Murder of the Unborn" (an accurate definition of the issue, and totally abhorrent as a value).

The majority of the proverbs focus on human relationships. Yet many of them deal with moral issues that also have an impact on the environment - some directly, but more often indirectly. In such cases, the verses would have a greater focus on one's impact at the local level of the environment - the area where the individual can have the most influence.

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.