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Bible Commentaries
Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes Bullinger's Companion Notes
Introduction to Wisdom; Benefits of Listening.Chapter 2
Wisdom's Value; Protection from Evil Paths.Chapter 3
Trust in God; Blessings of Wisdom.Chapter 4
Pursuit of Wisdom; Avoiding Wicked Paths.Chapter 5
Warning against Adultery and its Consequences.Chapter 6
Warnings about Laziness, Deceit, and Folly.Chapter 7
The Seduction of Folly; Embracing Wisdom.Chapter 8
Wisdom's Call and its Divine Origin.Chapter 9
Invitation to Wisdom and its Contrast with Folly.Chapter 10
Proverbs Contrasting the Righteous and the Wicked.Chapter 11
Virtues of Honesty, Righteousness, and Generosity.Chapter 12
Contrast between the Righteous and the Wicked.Chapter 13
Wisdom's Rewards and Folly's Consequences.Chapter 14
Wisdom's Ways versus Folly's Paths.Chapter 15
Impact of Speech; Righteousness versus Wickedness.Chapter 16
Divine Sovereignty; Wise Living and Humility.Chapter 17
Wisdom, Relationships, and Avoiding Quarrels.Chapter 18
The Power of Words and Wisdom.Chapter 19
The Consequences of Folly and Integrity.Chapter 20
Wise Behavior; Consequences of Dishonesty.Chapter 21
Divine Justice and Righteous Living.Chapter 22
Teachings on Righteousness, Wealth, and Relationships.Chapter 23
Warnings against Indulgence and Seeking Wisdom.Chapter 24
Admonitions about Wisdom, Diligence, and Justice.Chapter 25
Further Proverbs; Wise Leadership and Speech.Chapter 26
Folly and Wisdom Contrasted; Various Proverbs.Chapter 27
Advice on Relationships, Work, and Self-Awareness.Chapter 28
Righteousness, Leadership, and the Fate of the Wicked.Chapter 29
Leadership, Justice, and the Power of Discipline.Chapter 30
Agur's Wisdom; Reflections on Life's Mysteries.Chapter 31
The Virtuous Woman and Her Qualities.
- Proverbs
by E.W. Bullinger
Pro THE PROVERBS. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE. INTRODUCTION. Proverbs 1:1-6 . Proverbs 1:6-8 . "THE WORDS OF THE WISE". FOR SOLOMON. FOR A PRINCE AND A KING. SECOND PERSON ("MY SON", "THY", "THEE", "THOU", "THINE"). THE "MOTHER". Proverbs 10:1 - Proverbs 19:19 . PROVERBS BY SOLOMON. FOR ALL. THIRD PERSON ("HE", "HIS", "HIM", "THEY", "THEM"). Proverbs 19:20 - Proverbs 24:34 . PROVERBS FOR SOLOMON. FOR A PRINCE AND A KING. SECOND PERSON ("MY SON", "THOU", "THY"). Proverbs 25:1 - Proverbs 26:28 . PROVERBS BY SOLOMON. FOR ALL. "COPIED BY MEN OF HEZEKIAH". THIRD PERSON ("HE", "HIM"., "HIS"). Proverbs 27:12 - Pro 9:27 . PROVERBS FOR SOLOMON. FOR A PRINCE AND A KING. SECOND PERSON ("MY SON", "THEE", "THY"). Proverbs 30:1 - Proverbs 31:31 . "THE WORDS OF AGUR" AND "THE WORDS OF LEMUEL". FOR SOLOMON. FOR A PRINCE AND A KING ("MY SON", "THY"). THE "MOTHER". For Introduction and Analysis explanatory of the above Structure, see Appendix 74. TITLE. The Proverbs. Heb. Mishlai; Greek, Paroimiai = any dark sententious saying; Vulg. Proverbia. Whence the English name. Heb. Mishlai is from Mashal = to rule (Genesis 1:18 ; Genesis 3:16 . Exodus 21:8 , &c). Hence applied to words which are to rule and govern the life. Not a collection of human wisdom, but of Divine rules from heaven for earth. The book is quoted in the N.T.: Proverbs 1:16 in Romans 3:15 . Proverbs 3:11-12 in Hebrews 12:5 , Hebrews 12:6 . Revelation 3:19 . Proverbs 3:34 in James 4:6 . 1 Peter 5:5 . Proverbs 11:31 in 1 Peter 4:18 . Proverbs 25:21-22 in Romans 12:20 . Proverbs 26:11 in 2 Peter 2:22 . And also allusions, as in Romans 12:16 , &c. The Structure (p. 864) distinguishes the main divisions of the book, marked by such expressions as "My son"; "The words of the wise"; and the pronouns "thy", "thee", &c.; and the Proverbs "for"; and Proverbs "by" Solomon. Some proverbs are for a ruler, others are general, and for all men. Mashal is used of an Allegory (Ezekiel 17:2 ); a discourse (Numbers 23:7 , Numbers 23:8 ); a taunt (Isaiah 14:4 ); an argument (Job 29:1 ); a byword (Jeremiah 24:9 ); a lament (Micah 2:4 ):all Proverbs are distinguished by parallelism of lines, synonymous, or gradational, or synthetic (i.e. constructive), or antithetic (i.e. contrastive). These again are arranged (as to order) either in alternate or introverted lines. Proverbs 1:6 - Proverbs 9:18 . "THE WORDS OF THE WISE". FOR SOLOMON (FOR A PRINCE AND A KING). SECOND PERSON ("MY SON", "THY", "THEE, "THINE"). THE "MOTHER". Proverbs 1:6 - Proverbs 2:15 . Wisdom Call. Proverbs 2:16-22 . The Foreign Woman. Proverbs 3:1 - Proverbs 4:27 . Wisdom Call. Proverbs 5:1-23 . The Foreign Woman. Proverbs 6:1-23 . Wisdom Call. Proverbs 6:24-35 . The Foreign Woman. Proverbs 7:1-4 . Wisdom Call. Proverbs 7:5-27 . The Foreign Woman. Proverbs 8:1 - Proverbs 9:12 . Wisdom''s Call. Proverbs 9:13-18 . The Foolish Woman. Proverbs 2:16-22 . THE FOREIGN WOMAN Proverbs 3:1 - Proverbs 4:27 . WISDOM''S CALL. Proverbs 5:1-23 . THE FOREIGN WOMAN. Proverbs 6:1-23 . WISDOM''S CALL. Proverbs 6:24-35 . THE FOREIGN WOMAN. Proverbs 7:1-4 . WISDOM''S CALL Proverbs 7:5-23 . THE FOREIGN WOMAN. Proverbs 7:5 . The woman. Proverbs 7:6-9 . The young man. Proverbs 7:10-21 . The woman. Proverbs 7:22-27 . The young man. Proverbs 8:1 - Proverbs 9:12 . WISDOM''S CALL. Proverbs 8:1 Wisdom''s call. Proverbs 8:2-3 . From high places. Proverbs 8:4-6 . To the simple. Proverbs 8:7-9 . Reasons. Proverbs 8:10-31 . Wisdom self-commended. Proverbs 8:32-36 . Wisdom''s call. Proverbs 9:1-3 . From high places. Proverbs 9:4-6 . To the simple. Proverbs 9:7-9 . Reasons. Proverbs 9:10-12 . Wisdom self commended. Proverbs 8:10-31 . WISDOM SELF-COMMENDED. Proverbs 8:10-11 . Wisdom personified. Proverbs 8:12-14 . Prudence. Proverbs 8:15-16 . Rule. Proverbs 8:17 . Recompense. Proverbs 8:18-19 . Riches, &c. Proverbs 8:20 . Righteousness. Proverbs 8:21 . Recompense. Proverbs 8:22-31 . Wisdom personified. Proverbs 8:22-31 . WISDOM PERSONIFIED. Proverbs 8:22 . In eternity past. With Jehovah. Proverbs 8:23-29 . Before the creation of man. Proverbs 8:30 . In eternity past. With Jehovah. Proverbs 8:31 . After the creation of man. Proverbs 8:23-29 . BEFORE CREATION. Proverbs 8:23 . Before the earth. Proverbs 8:24 . Before the seas. Proverbs 8:25-26 . Before the earth. Proverbs 8:27 . When the heavens. Proverbs 8:28-29 -. When the seas. - Proverbs 8:29 . When the earth. Proverbs 9:13-18 . THE FOOLISH WOMAN. Proverbs 9:13 . Her call. Proverbs 9:14 . From high places. Proverbs 9:15 . From the right way. Proverbs 9:16 . Her call. Proverbs 9:17 . To the wrong way. Proverbs 9:18 . To the lowest place. Proverbs 10:1 - Proverbs 19:9 . PROVERBS BY SOLOMON. FOR ALL. Third Person ("HE", "HIM", "THEY"). Proverbs 10:1 - Proverbs 15:33 . The Pious and the Ungodly. With reference to others. Their lots in life. (Chiefly Antithetic.) Proverbs 16:1 - Proverbs 19:19 . The Pious and the Ungodly. With reference to God. Their life and character. (Chiefly Synthetic.) Proverbs 10:1 - Proverbs 15:32 . THE PIOUS AND THE UNGODLY. WITH REFERENCE TO OTHERS. Proverbs 10:1-32 . Their life and conduct. (General.) Proverbs 11:1 - Proverbs 15:33 . Their advantages and dis-advantages. Proverbs 11:1 - Proverbs 15:33 . THE PIOUS AND UNGODLY. THEIR ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES. Proverbs 11:1-31 . With reference to ones neighbours. Pro 12:1-38 . With reference to Domestic and Public vocations. Proverbs 13:1-25 . With reference to Temporal and Eternal good. Proverbs 14:1-35 . With reference to Wise and Foolish; Rich and Poor; Masters and Servants. Proverbs 15:1-33 . With reference to other relations in the righteous sphere. Proverbs 16:1 - Proverbs 19:19 . THE PIOUS AND UN-GODLY WITH REFERENCE TO GOD. THEIR LIFE AND ACTION. Proverbs 16:1-33 . Personal confidence in God. Proverbs 17:1-28 . Personal contentment and peace. Proverbs 18:1-24 . Personal virtues in social life. Proverbs 19:1-19 . Personal character. Humility, meekness, and gentleness. Proverbs 17:1-28 . PERSONAL CONTENTMENT AND PEACE. Proverbs 18:1-24 . PERSONAL VIRTUES IN SOCIAL LIFE. Proverbs 19:1-19 . PERSONAL CHARACTER, HUMILITY, &c. Proverbs 19:20-27 . CALL TO HEAR. Proverbs 19:20 - Proverbs 24:34 . PROVERBS FOR SOLOMON (Proverbs 22:17-24 : Proverbs 22:23 ); FOR A PRINCE AND A KING (Proverbs 20:2 , Proverbs 20:8 , Proverbs 20:26 ; Proverbs 21:1 ). SECOND PERSON Proverbs 19:20-27 . Call to hear. Proverbs 19:28 - Proverbs 21:1 . Personal conduct. Proverbs 21:2 - Proverbs 22:16 . Personal character. Proverbs 22:17-21 . Call to hear. Proverbs 22:22-29 . Personal conduct. Proverbs 23:1-21 . Personal character. Proverbs 23:22-25 . Call to hear. Proverbs 23:26-35 . Personal conduct. Proverbs 24:1-20 . Personal character. Proverbs 24:21-22 . Call to hear. Proverbs 24:23-29 . Personal conduct. Proverbs 24:30-34 . Personal character. Proverbs 19:28 - Proverbs 21:1 . PERSONAL CONDUCT. Proverbs 21:1 - Proverbs 22:16 . PERSONAL CHARACTER. Proverbs 22:17-21 . CALL TO HEAR. Proverbs 22:22-29 . PERSONAL CONDUCT. Proverbs 23:1-21 . PERSONAL HARACTER. Proverbs 23:22-25 . CALL TO HEAR. Proverbs 23:26-33 . PERSONAL CONDUCT. Proverbs 24:1-20 . PERSONAL CHARACTER. Proverbs 24:21 . CALL TO HEAR.. Proverbs 24:22-29 . PERSONAL CONDUCT. Proverbs 24:30-34 . PERSONAL CHARACTER. Proverbs 25:1 - Proverbs 26:28 . PROVERBS BY SOLOMON Proverbs 25:1-28 . Admonition to the Fear of God. Proverbs 26:1-28 . Warning against the Sins of Men. Proverbs 26:1-28 . WARNING AGAINST THE SIN OF MEN. Proverbs 27:1 - Proverbs 29:27 . "WORDS OF THE WISE". FOR SOLOMON (A KING AND PRINCE). Proverbs 27:1-27 . Against self-praise and arrogance. Proverbs 28:1-28 . Against unscrupulous dealing. Proverbs 29:1-27 . Against stubbornness and insubordination. Proverbs 28:1-28 . AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS DEALINGS. Proverbs 29:1-27 . AGAINST STUBBORNNESS AND INSUBORDINATION. Proverbs 30:1-33 . THE WORDS OF AGUR. Proverbs 30:1 -. TITLE. =Proverbs 30:1-3 . Confession. Himself. Proverbs 30:4 . Address. Proverbs 30:5 . Declaration. God. Proverbs 30:6 . Address. Proverbs 30:7-9 . Prayer. Himself. Proverbs 30:10 . Address. Proverbs 30:11-31 . Declaration. Man. Proverbs 30:32-33 . Address. Proverbs 30:9-31 . DECLARATION. Proverbs 30:11 . Parents. Cursing of. Proverbs 30:12 . Impurity. Proverbs 30:13 . Pride. Proverbs 30:14 . Violence. Proverbs 30:15-16 . Insatiableness. Proverbs 30:17 . Parents. Mocking of. Proverbs 30:18-20 . Four things inscrutable. Proverbs 30:21-23 . Four things disquieting. Proverbs 30:24-28 . Four things little and wise. Proverbs 30:29-31 . Four things graceful. Proverbs 31:1-31 . THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL, FOR SOLOMON:A PRINCE AND KING. Proverbs 31:1-9 . Warnings. Women and wine. Proverbs 31:10-31 . Example. The model woman. Proverbs 31:1-9 . WARNINGS. "MY SON" (v. Proverbs 31:2 ) SECOND PERSON. "THY" Proverbs 31:10-31 . THE MODEL WOMAN. Proverbs 31:10-12 . Her husband. Proverbs 31:13-19 . Her occupation. Proverbs 31:20 . Her character. Bounty. Proverbs 31:21 . Her household. Proverbs 31:22 . Herself. Without. Proverbs 31:23 . Her husband. Proverbs 31:24-25 . Her occupation. Proverbs 31:26 . Her character. Wisdom. Proverbs 31:27-28 . Her household. Proverbs 31:29-31 . Herself. Within.