Main Divisions of the Book of Proverbs
Proverbs 1-9, Solomon addresses the young. His words are
arranged in a series of discourses in praise of wisdom. A
personification of Wisdom speaks as an instructor, warning
against all manner of folly. The proverbs in this section
are arranged with more continuity than is seen in succeeding
chapters.
Proverbs 10-22:16 are the "proverbs of Solomon," and this
section is usually thought to be the original nucleus around
which the remainder of the book was constructed.
Proverbs 22:17-24 :22 contains advice for those in
responsible positions, calling it "the words of the wise."
Proverbs 24:23-29 are designated as "the proverbs of Solomon
which the wise men of Hezekiah copied out." These are in the
form of detached statements, although there are occasional
signs of continuity. There are also sayings on related
subjects such as rulers, sluggards and fools.
Proverbs 30, the sayings of Agur, and Proverbs 31, the great
chapter on womanhood which purports to come from the mother
of King Lemuel which was constructed in acrostic form, the
verses beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew
alphabet. This last chapter completes this book of Hebrew
wisdom.
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