The Book of Proverbs is a book of the Tanach/Old Testament. It is a collection of moral and philosophical maxims on a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth a philosophy of practical life, and is a compilation and adaptation of common sayings. It is clear that the author of the book gathered and recast many proverbs which sprang from human experience in preceding ages and were floating past him on the tide of time, and that he also elaborated many new ones from the material of his own experience. In particular, there is strong evidence that some of the proverbs were adapted from earlier Egyptian wisdom literature. And it is very possible that the book of Proverbs developed somewhat over time, with latter editors adding sayings as they went along.

This book is usually divided into three parts:

1. ch. 1 – 9, which contain an exhibition of wisdom as the highest good.
2. ch. 10 – 24, a collection of "the proverbs of Solomon"
3. ch. 25 – 29, another collection of "proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied"

These are followed by three supplements

1. "The words of Agur" (ch. 30); and
2. "The words to king Lemuel" (ch. 31,1–9).
3. The praise of the good wife (ch. 31,10–31)

The tradition ascribing some proverbs to Solomon, described as "without valid foundation" in the Jewish Encyclopedia, 1901-06, continued nevertheless to be uncritically accepted among many Christians, who aver that Solomon is said to have written three thousand proverbs, and those contained in this book may be a selection from these (1 Kings 4:32).

Jewish tradition attributes the entire book to "the men of Hezekiah", as attested by the word "too" in the verse, "these too are the proverbs of Solomon which" etc. (25:1). (Source: Babylonian Talmud, tractate Bava Bathra 15a).

In the New Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it.

Quotes:

`I am Wisdom,I am better than jewels,Nothing you want can compare with me.(8:11)

External links

• Jewish translations:
  • Mishlei - Proverbs (Judaica Press) translation with Rashi's commentary at Chabad.org

• Christian translations:
  • Proverbs at The Great Books (New Revised Standard Version)
  • Proverbs at Bible Gateway (Various versions)
  • Proverbs at Wikisource (Authorised King James Version)

Related article:

• Jewish Encyclopedia: Proverbs, with dates of compilation and manuscript traditions