A collection of wisdom and insight attributed to four authors. One of the wisdom books of the Old Testament—along with Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Presents “wisdom” (חָכְמָ֣ה, chokhmah) as rooted in God and the key to a successful and righteous life.
The title comes from Proverbs 1:1 and the word “proverb” (מָשָׁל, mashal), a term “applied to a great range of utterances, from one-line adages to extended poems” (Fox, Proverbs 1–9, 54).
—Faithlife Study Bible, Lexham Press
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Expository Preaching Kits are curated resources all focused on helping you teach a single book of the Bible—keeping you prepared without weighing you down.
The Job & Proverbs Expository Preaching Kit (S) helps you plan an expositional sermon series by curating a trifecta of the best Bible study materials on Job and Proverbs you need to prep and preach. It includes resources like Job and Proverbs from The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings, and A Handbook on Proverbs.
The Job & Proverbs Expository Preaching Kit (M) helps you plan an expositional sermon series by curating a trifecta of the best Bible study materials on Job and Proverbs you need to prep and preach. It includes everything in Job & Proverbs Expository Preaching Kit (S) plus resources like Finding Favour in the Sight of God: A Theology of Wisdom Literature (New Studies in Biblical Theology, vol. 46 | NSBT), Job from the Holman Old Testament Commentary, and Proverbs–Ecclesiastes (Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary).
The Job & Proverbs Expository Preaching Kit (L) helps you plan an expositional sermon series by curating a trifecta of the best Bible study materials on Job and Proverbs you need to prep and preach. It includes everything in Job & Proverbs Expository Preaching Kit (S) and Job & Proverbs Expository Preaching Kit (M), plus resources like A Messianic Commentary on Proverbs: Proverbial Wisdom & Common Sense, Proverbs (Mentor Commentary), and Bruce Waltke’s two volumes on Proverbs from The New International Commentary on the Old Testament.
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By: Tremper Longman III
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In Proverbs, Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III offers an accessible commentary on one of Scripture’s most frequently quoted and visited books. With his deft exegetical and expositional skill, the resulting work is full of fresh insight into the meaning of the text.
By: Derek Kidner
Proverbs--a book full of wisdom, and yet a book demanding all one's wisdom to understand. Derek Kidner has not only provided a running commentary on the whole of Proverbs, but has also included two helpful study aids: a set of subject guides that bring together teaching scattered throughout the book, and a short concordance that helps locate lost sayings (in territory notoriously hard to search) and encourages further subject studies. In short, this volume is a wise person's guide to wisdom.
By: Roland E. Murphy
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Roland Murphy approaches Proverbs as “a collection of collections.” The long poems of chapters 1–9 introduce the collections of short sayings in chapters 10-31. With this division Murphy accepts “the unproven but likely assumption” that during the postexilic period chapters 1-9 set the tone for the mostly pre-exilic collections in chapters 10–31. Murphy cautions his readers to consider the limitations of proverbial sayings. The Israelite sages sought in their optimistic teachings to express “the mystery that surrounds all human action: not only self-knowledge, but knowledge of the mysterious role of God.” Much of the wisdom of Proverbs points out the ambiguities of life. Yet the Proverbs do not provide the final word; "rather they act as a goad, a prod to further thought." The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough...
By: Michael V. Fox
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In Proverbs 1–9, Bible scholar Michael V. Fox translates and explains the meaning of the first nine chapters of this profound, timeless book, and examines their place in the intellectual history of ancient Israel. This thorough study of Proverbs includes a survey of the collections of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, as well as innovative and insightful comments. In addition to the translation and commentary proper, Fox includes several extended thematic essays on Proverbs 1–9, covering such themes as the origins of personified wisdom, what wisdom is, and where wisdom can be heard, plus an appendix of textual notes. The format of the commentary makes it accessible to the general reader and also provides materials of special interest to scholars. This is the first of a two-volume commentary that accords Proverbs the depth of study it deserves.
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By: R. N. Whybray
In this book, R. N. Whybray presents his classic exposition on the book of Proverbs. Readable yet academic, he outlines the entire book of Proverbs, with the purpose of tracing the development of composition. Much attention is given to the intended audience, the many authors of the book, and purpose of the book itself.
By: R. N. Whybray
Biblical scholar, R. N. Whybray, examines the presented views of poverty and riches in the book of Proverbs. Believing that the Bible provides social relevance for today, he focuses on chapters within Proverbs that address this issue. Whybray does not provide a sociological commentary, but one that relies purely on the texts themselves.
By: Johnny E. Miles
This study focuses on a reading of Proverbs 1–9 as satire and argues that it alludes to two points of critique against Solomon: his political policy of socio-economic injustice and his numerous sexual (in)discretions. That Solomon abandoned his divinely proscribed duty only evinces his lack of “fear of Yahweh.”
By: Friedemann W. Golka
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Golka revisits three traditional ideas which have dominated current Old Testament scholarship: the claim that there were schools in ancient Israel; that in these schools a professional class of “wise men” taught; and that their teaching consisted of the moral standards of the civil service.
By: Craig G. Bartholomew, Ryan P. O’Dowd
The books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are rooted in the order created by the one true God. Their steady gaze penetrates to the very nature of created reality and leads us toward peace and human flourishing. Craig G. Bartholomew and Ryan O'Dowd tune our ears to once again hear Lady Wisdom calling in the streets. Establishing the books in the context of ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and literature, the authors move beyond the scope of typical introductions to discuss the theological and hermeneutic implications of this literature.
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Tremper Longman opens up the book of Proverbs with this comprehensive study. Longman gives a big picture view of Proverbs, discussing critical ANE background texts, the nature of wisdom, the identification of Woman Wisdom, how to read proverbs Christologically, and the different types of proverbs and teaching found in the book. He includes a helpful comparison with two other Old Testament Wisdom books, Job and Ecclesiastes.
In Preaching Proverbs, Dr. Tremper Longman III provides a thorough overview of the book of Proverbs and answers essential questions about the text. He begins by looking at the context of ancient Sumerian and Egyptian proverbs, and he then considers the structure of the biblical book of Proverbs. Dr. Longman covers the practical, ethical, and theological nature of this text and provides an in-depth look at wisdom. He addresses issues such as contradictions, repetition, and reliability, and he provides tips on how to preach a book that may appear to be disorganized.
Join David W. Baker on a whirlwind tour, looking at the Old Testament from many different angles and at how it relates to ancient Near Eastern literature. From creation accounts and stories of destruction to Wisdom literature, discover different biblical literary genres that have parallels in ancient Near Eastern literature. Explore extrabiblical historical texts that mention key events and figures from the Old Testament. Understand how Israel fits into and is impacted by its ancient Near Eastern environment, but also how it is separate and unique, mainly on a theological level, but also by its distinct worldview.
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This course provides a practical foundation for reading the poetry and prophecy of the Old Testament. Dr. Baker begins by discussing poetic writing in general, then the elements specific to both Hebrew and English poetry. Applying these elements to the text, he examines the content, structure, and themes of the Psalms, Proverbs, Lamentations, Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Dr. Baker then turns to the prophetic books, providing historical background, theological motifs, and the structure and content of specific books. He shows that these ancient messages remain relevant in modern life.
