ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Proverbs 1

1:1–7 Title, Goal, and Motto. After the title (v. 1), there is an introduction that describes the goal of the whole book (vv. 2–6) and the motto that underlies every instruction in the book (v. 7).

Prov. 1:2–6 These verses give the purpose and benefit of the book: it instills wisdom in the reader. The wisdom offered here is practical (instruction in wise dealing), intellectual (increase in learning), moral (righteousness, justice, and equity), and inquiring (to understand a proverb and . . . riddles). It is for all people, whether they are naive and untaught (the simple . . . the youth) or already experienced (let the wise hear).

Prov. 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This is the core truth of the book: the quest for wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (see 9:10 and Ps. 111:10). “Knowledge” and “wisdom” are closely tied together in Proverbs. “Knowledge” tends to focus on correct understanding of the world and oneself as creatures of the magnificent and loving God. “Wisdom” is an acquired skill in the art of godly living. “Fear of the Lord” means to respect, obey, and worship only God (see Deut. 4:10). Pursuing wisdom by fearing the Lord distinguishes the biblical search for knowledge and wisdom from that of the surrounding cultures. Submission to the Lord is key to the attainment of real understanding (see Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10). By using the covenant name “the Lord” in preference to the more generic “God,” this verse shows that truth is found through Israel’s God alone. In addition, the verse asserts that fools despise wisdom and instruction, thus contrasting the two ways of wisdom and folly. This contrast dominates the entire book.

Prov. 1:8–9:18 A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom. This section describes the two paths implied in 1:7: the wise (grounded in the fear of the Lord) and the foolish (despising such wisdom and instruction). The appeals consist of: (1) a father (and mother in 1:8; 6:20) encouraging a son to seek wisdom (e.g., 2:1–22) and warning him against the ruin that comes from folly (e.g., 6:1–19); (2) Wisdom (personified as a woman) calling on all who will listen to seek her (1:20–33; 8:1–36); and (3) a final contrast of the two paths represented by Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (9:1–18). The purpose of the section is to instruct the young and simple to embrace wisdom and to instill in them the desire to recognize and continue in the path of wisdom.

Prov. 1:8 your father’s instruction . . . your mother’s teaching. The training in wisdom referred to in Proverbs includes instruction in the home by parents (see also 6:20; 23:22; 31:26).

Prov. 1:17–19 A bird that sees a fowler spreading a net is aware of the trap and will flee the danger rather than take the bait. However, those who seek to trap the innocent overlook the fact that they are setting an ambush for their own lives.

Prov. 1:20–33 Wisdom is personified here as a woman. She is pictured appealing to simple ones, scoffers, and fools to pay attention to her words. Wisdom speaks in a way that recalls the words of the Lord (e.g., I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you, v. 23).

Prov. 1:31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way. A person’s actions both reveal the state of the heart and also help to shape a person’s character. Those who refuse to listen to Wisdom’s correction walk in a way that will ultimately produce calamity, terror, and destruction for their own lives. For a similar description of the two paths and their ends, see Jer. 6:16–19.