Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 10

Verses 1-16

XXII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVERBS

Proverbs 10:1-22:16.

Solomon is the author of Proverbs 10:1-22:16, and the character of this section is noticeable in the change from the direct and continuous appeal of the opening chapters of the book to the short and, for the most part, disconnected maxims, each of them contained, as a rule, in a couplet, or district, formed strictly on the model of Hebrew parallelism.

The one exception to the rule of the couplet is found in Proverbs 19:7 were there is a tristich, or stanza of three lines) which is explained by assuming that the last clause of this verse properly belongs to another proverb, of which one member has fallen out of our present text. This conclusion is in some measure confirmed by the appearance in the Septuagint of two complete distichs, though it does not help toward the restoration of the original Hebrew text.

Maurer calls this section, "Golden saying not unworthy of Solomon, fitted to form and fashion the whole life." There are 376 proverbs in this collection and the parallelism is generally antithetic. A profitable study it would be to take this great section and classify each proverb in it as to the Hebrew parallelism found in it, and then paraphrase it so as to show its application to modern life, but such a plan would require more space than can be given to this discussion. An example of such paraphrase is found in W. J. Bryan’s paraphrase of Proverbs 22:3, thus: A wise man sees the danger and gets out of the way, But the fool rushes on and gets it in the neck.

I give here several proverbs selected from those made by members of the author’s class in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as illustrations of the various kinds of parallelism found in the book of proverbs. Many of them are antithetic, like most of the proverbs found in the great section discussed so briefly in this chapter. The kind of parallelism found in each proverb is indicated by the word following it.

A wise man is as springtime to his neighbor, But the foolish are as the death of winter. Antithetic

A son that honors his father shall be honored in old age, But he that dishonors his parents shall suffer at the last. Antithetic

A wise man chooses his path, But they who Jack wisdom stumble on through life. Antithetic

In the house of the wicked strife prevails, But in the chambers of the righteous peace dwells. Antithetic

Christ is the foundation of religion, And religion is the foundation of the world. Synthetic

Heaven is a place of happiness But hell is a place of torment. Antithetic

What you were will not avail, It’s what you are that counts. Synthetic

Every proverb has encased a jewel, And wisdom is the key to unlock it. Climactic

Teachers impart knowledge, But pupils straightway forget it. Antithetic

Any fool can find fault, But the wise in heart will bridle the tongue. Antithetic

If people would be loved, They must first love others. Progressive

Love getteth to itself friends; While hatred maketh enemies. Antithetic

Duty calls ever and anon, Happy the man who heeds her call. Climactic

If you pay as you go, Your going will be good. Progressive

The bold eat the sweet morsel of victory, But the fearful are put to shame. Antithetic

The rebuke of a friend Is better than the compliment of an enemy. Progressive

As the rudder is to the ship, So is character to the life. Parabolic

A little schooling is a fooling with the looks, But true learning is a discerning of the books. Antithetic

The wicked rejoiceth in health, But calleth on the Lord in distress. Antithetic

The man who has an axe to grind Meets you with a smiling face. Progressive

Tis only noble thoughts Can make a noble man. Progressive

The wheels of time move slowly But they move surely. Climactic

The wicked purpose evil and are brought low, But the righteous purpose good and are exalted. Antithetic

The man who seeks to know the right shall find light. But he who seeks the lusts of the flesh shall find darkness. Antithetic

The going of the wicked is exceedingly crooked, But the path of the righteous is in the straight and narrow way. Antithetic

As a roaring lion in chains by the way, So is the adversary to the heavenly pilgrim. Parabolic

They who take part in others’ troubles Are apt to get into trouble, too. Progressive

QUESTIONS

1. Who is the author of Proverbs 10:1-22:16 and what is the character of this section?

2. What is exception to the rule that these Proverbs are expressed in couplets and how may this exception be explained?

3. What says Maurer of this section?

4. How many proverbs are in this section and what kind of parallelism is most common?

5. What is the suggestion by the author for a profitable study of this section?

6. Select ten of the most striking proverbs in this section and paraphrase them so as to show the application of them.

7. Now try your hand at making proverbs of every kind of Hebrew parallelism and indicate the kind of parallelism in each.