Proverbs 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;… This is the meaning of the term "Proverbs" in the original. A proverb is a weighty sentiment, moral or prudential, expressed in sententious language. It is the recorded verdict of men, sealed by experience, and reserved for future guidance. The proverbs of a people have no small influence upon their character, and sometimes they have a very evil influence. Let one which is erroneous in its morality, or perverted in its application, become current, and it seems to give the sanction of reason, experience, and almost of inspiration to that which is wrong, e.g., "Charity begins at home." This has nourished selfishness and checked benevolence. There is this advantage in a proverb, that it directs the conduct without perplexing the mind or burdening the memory. Proverbs are to the morals of a people what gold coin is to its currency — portable, rich, and always passable. The form in which the Bible proverbs are expressed is usually that of parallelism, or in two parts, the second line repeating the sentiment of the first, or sometimes its opposite. (W. H. Lewis, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;WEB: The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: |
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