Read Proverbs 1 at Bible Gateway.
The paragraph divisions and chiastic structures of Pro 1 are found here.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: Pro 1:1
PROVERB Strong’s H4912 mashal, an abstract concept meaning, “similitude, parable, proverb, parallelism;” from Strong’s H4910 משל mashal, a primitive root meaning, “to rule, to have dominion.”
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
shin ש = two front teeth, thus sharp, press, eat, two, again
lamed ל = shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
The parable: Mighty (mem) pressure (shin) or coercion to bring under authority (lamed).
“Learned men have made many attempts to reconcile the significations of making like, and ruling; However I have no doubt but that from the signification of making like, is derived that of judging, forming an opinion (compare מעם).” – Gesenius
To state a proverb is to make a comparison, “making like;” and the same is brought out in similitude, a “counterpart, likeness;” and parable, in which Yeshua always said, “The kingdom of heaven is like …”. The parallelism or chiastic structure is a characteristic of Hebrew literature, in which reverse elements repeat or compare to each other.
The A pair of the Pro 1:1-7 chiastic structure:
1A) 1:2A To know WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION;
2A) 1:7 {p} The fear of YHVH is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise WISDOM AND DISCIPLINE.
TO KNOW Strong’s H3045 ידע yada, a primitive root meaning, “to know, to teach:” the Hebrew root word parable.
WISDOM Strong’s H2451 chokmah, an abstract concept meaning, “wisdom,” from Strong’s H2449 חכם chakam, a primitive root meaning “to be wise:” the Hebrew root word parable.
INSTRUCTION Strong’s H4148 muwsar, an abstract concept meaning “discipline, chastening, correction,” from Strong’s H3256 יסר yasar, a primitive root meaning, “to chasten, discipline, instruct, admonish.”
yud י = the closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
sin ס = the thorn, thus grab, hate, protect
resh ר = the head of man, thus head, first, top, beginning, man
The parable: To take ahold (yud, as the hand closes upon something to grasp it) and turn (sin) the head (resh) to go in a different direction. The yud implies the active involvement from the one doing the correcting, as well as the concept of work or punishment for the one being corrected.
FEAR Strong’s H3374 yirah, an abstract concept meaning, “reverence,” the feminine of Strong’s H3373 yare, an adjective meaning, “fearful;” from Strong’s H3372 ירא yara, a primitive root meaning , “to fear:” the Hebrew root word parable.
KNOWLEDGE Strong’s H1847 da’ath, an abstract concept meaning, “knowledge, intelligence;” from Strong’s H3045 ידע yada, a primitive root meaning, “to know, to teach:” the Hebrew root word parable.
FOOLISH Strong’s H191 eviyl, an adjective meaning, “foolish impiety,” the opposite of prudence; from an unused primitive root meaning, “to be perverse.” Gesenius identifies the root as אול: the Hebrew root word parable.
TO DESPISE Strong’s H936 בוז buwz, a primitive root meaing, “to hold in contempt.”
bet ב = the house, thus house, household, family, in, within
vav ו = the tent peg, thus add, secure, hook
zayin ז = the mattock, thus tool, food, cut, nourish
The parable: The house (bet) which is (vav, as a conjunction) attacked (zayin, in the sense of a tool that cuts, i.e., a weapon). In ancient days, when invaders or intruders attacked a house, they carried off everything of value as spoils. Thus, that which is spoiled (as a house attacked) is that which has no value (as all its value was carried off, with nothing left). This is where our English word “spoil” comes from, to mean, food or character which is ruined. When someone despises something, they treat it as if it has no value.
The WISDOM and DISCIPLINE of vs. 7 are the same words as WISDOM and INSTRUCTION of vs. 2. Right away we see the Scriptures teaching us that instruction and discipline are intertwined. Our modern idea that we can instruct children without requiring any self-discipline from them is completely false. Children cannot learn in an environment with no boundaries.
The B pair of the Pro 1:1-7 chiastic structure:
1B) 1:2B TO COMPREHEND THE WORDS OF UNDERSTANDING;
2B) 1:6 TO UNDERSTAND a proverb, and a figure; THE WORDS OF THE WISE, and their dark sayings;
TO COMPREHEND Strong’s H995 בין biyn, a primitive root meaning, “to discern or understand.”
bet ב = the house, thus house, household, family, in, within
yud י = the closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
nun ן ,נ = the seed, thus continue, heir, son
In the era of the patriarchs, from the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon:
The tent was usually divided into two parts, one for the females and the other for the male[s]. The wall makes a distinction between the two sides.
The house or tent (bet) was closed off (yud) according to the genders determined by the seed (nun). “To understand” is the ability to discern between two things.
WORD Strong’s H561, emer, an abstract concept meaning, “answer,” from Strong’s H559 אמר amar, a primitive root meaning, “to say:” the Hebrew root word parable.
UNDERSTANDING Strong’s H998, biynah, an abstract concept meaning, “discernment, understanding,” from Strong’s H995 בין biyn, above.
TO UNDERSTAND in vs. 6 is the same word in Hebrew as TO COMPREHEND, Strong’s H995 בין biyn, above; and PROVERB is the same as Strong’s H4912 mashal from vs. 1.
FIGURE Strong’s H4426 meliytsah, an abstract concept meaning, “an aphorism (a concise statement of a principle), an interpretation;” from Strong’s H3887 לוץ luwts, a primitive root meaning, “to stammer, deride, scoff:” the Hebrew root word parable.
The connection of an interpretation to derision, is that when one speaks in a foreign language, he is said to speak barbarously, as seeming to be doing nothing more than babbling. He needs an interpreter. Someone who derides, scoffs, or mocks, is speaking barbarously to someone with common sense.
A figure, an aphorism, is not a bad thing, it is merely a thing which may not occur to most people until a wise man has stated it.
WORDS Strong’s H1697 dabar, an abstract concept meaning, “word,” from Strong’s H1696 דבר dabar; a primitive root meaning, “to speak (literally, to set in order):” the Hebrew root word parable.
THE WISE Strong’s H2450 חכם chakam, an adjective meaning, “wise, skillful;” from Strong’s H2449 חכם chakam, a primitive root meaning “to be wise:” the Hebrew root word parable.
DARK SAYING is not necessarily something negative. Something can be in a dark room and still be positive. But when it is dark, you just can’t see it. A dark saying is an ENIGMA, Strong’s H2420 chiydah, an abstract concept meaning, “riddle, difficult question;” from Strong’s H2330 חוד chuwd; a primitive root meaning, “to tie a knot,” that is, to propound a riddle.
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
vav ו = the tent peg, thus add, secure, hook
dalet ד = the door, thus enter, move, hang
The cognate words of “unite” and “join” help us to find the parable. When a riddle is proposed, it divides (chet, as a wall divides two parties) the teller from the listener. When the solution is proposed, it joins (vav) the teller and the listener together in understanding, as the door (dalet) in the wall unites the two formerly divided parties.
The C pair of the Pro 1:1-7 chiastic structure:
1C) 1:3 TO RECEIVE THE DISCIPLINE (instruction) OF WISDOM, justice, and right, and equity;
2C) 1:5 That THE WISE MAN MAY HEAR, and INCREASE LEARNING, and a man of understanding may attain unto wise counsels;
TO RECEIVE Strong’s H3947 לקח laqach, a primitive root meaning, “to take in hand:” the Hebrew root word parable.
DISCIPLINE Strong’s H4148 muwsar, the same as INSTRUCTION from vs.2.
TO BE WISE (WISDOM) Strong’s H7919 שכל sakal, a primitive root meaning, “to be prudent, circumspect.” The shin was transposed from an original sin, according to the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon.
sin ס = the thorn, thus grab, hate, protect
kaph כ ך = the open palm, thus bend, open, allow, tame
lamed ל = the shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
According to the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, sakal is the ability to consider a situation with comprehension in order to be successful or prosperous. So, the parable: To grab (sin) the benefits (kaph) in a situation due to learning (lamed).
JUSTICE Strong’s H6664, tsedeq, an abstract concept meaning, “righteousness, justice,” from Strong’s H6663 צדק tsadaq, a primitive root meaning, “to be right, just.”
tsadey ץ ,צ = the trail, thus a man concealed, journey, chase, hunt
dalet ד = the door, thus enter, move, hang
quph ק = sun on the horizon, thus condense, circle, time
The path (tsadey) that is straight (as when a hung door (dalet) is measured against the plumb line) in perpetuity (quph), as the setting sun is the biblical symbol of the seventh day Sabbath marking the close of the week, and thus the endless cycle of time and completion of time. Thus absolute truth applies across all cultures and all times, rather than what a culture considers an ethical custom, but which only applies to a narrow place or time.
JUDGMENT Strong’s H4941 mishpat, an abstract concept meaning, “a judgment (the act of deciding a case);” from Strong’s H8199 שפט shaphat, “to judge or govern:” the Hebrew root word parable.
EQUITY Strong’s H4339 meyshar, an abstract concept meaning, “evenness, agreement, equity;” from Strong’s H3474 ישר yashar, “to be straight:” the Hebrew root word parable.
WISE (MAN) Strong’s H2450 חכם chakam, the same as THE WISE in vs. 6.
TO HEAR Strong’s H8085 שמע shama, a primitive root meaning, “to hear, to pay heed:” the Hebrew root word parable.
TO INCREASE Strong’s H3254 יסף yasaph, a primitive root meaning, “to add, to augment.”
yud י = the closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
sin ס = the thorn, thus grab, hate, protect
pey ף ,פ = the mouth, thus open, blow, scatter, edge
The parable: A turned (sin, as one turns away from a thorn to avoid it) lip (pey) is the gathered, as the turned bowl with a lip gathers together whatever it contains. Thus “to increase” is working (yud) which adds to what has already been gathered (sin + pey).
LEARNING Strong’s H3948 leqach, an abstract concept meaning, “learning, teaching;” from Strong’s H3947 לקח laqach, a primitive root meaning, “to take in hand,” the same as TO RECEIVE, above.
(MAN of) UNDERSTANDING Strong’s H995 biyn, the same as TO COMPREHEND in vs. 2.
TO ATTAIN Strong’s H7069 קנה qanah, a primitive root meaning, “to erect, to acquire, obtain, possess.”
quph ק = sun on the horizon, thus condense, circle, time
nun ן ,נ = the seed, thus continue, heir, son
hey ה = man with upraised arms, thus look, reveal, wonder, worship, breath
The concrete noun arising from this root gives us the clue to the parable being told. It is “nest.” Birds gather (quph, as the light is gathered to the sun when it is on the horizon) materials to build the nest for their eggs (nun). Just so, when a man gathers (quph) things for his son (nun), he has acquired an inheritance (hey, that which is looked upon) for him.
(WISE) COUNSEL Strong’s H8458 tachbulah, an abstract concept meaning, “wise counsel, good advice;” from Strong’s H2254 חבל chabal, a primitive root meaning, “to bind by a pledge.”
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
bet ב = the house, thus house, household, family, in, within
lamed ל = the shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
As the wall (chet) of the house (bet) encloses the family, so the pledge binds (lamed) the one who gives it. Wise counsel derives from this root, because counsel surrounds someone with advice as walls surround the home.
The central axis of the Pro 1:1-7 chiastic structure:
CENTRAL AXIS) 1:4 TO GIVE PRUDENCE TO THE SIMPLE; TO THE YOUNG MAN KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION;
PRUDENCE Strong’s H6195 ormah, an abstract concept to mean, “shrewdness, prudence,” from Strong’s H6193 orem, an abstract concept meaning, “a subtlety, a strategem;” from Strong’s H6191 ערם aram, a primitive root meaning, “to be subtle, to be shrewd.” As per the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, the ayin was transposed from an original ghah.
ghah § = rope, thus twisted, goat, dark, negative
resh ר = the head of man, thus head, first, top, beginning, man
mem ם ,מ = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
To twist (ghah) the man (resh) to create an advantage (mem, in that water takes advantage of a path of least resistance for itself).
SIMPLE Strong’s H6612, pethiy, an abstract concept meaing, “simplicity, folly;” from Strong’s H6601 פתה pathah, a primitive root meaning, “to be open, to let oneself be persuaded or enticed:” the Hebrew root word parable.
YOUNG MAN Strong’s H5288 na’ar, a concrete noun meaning, “young man, lad;” from Strong’s H5287 נער na’ar, a primitive root meaning, “to shake out or off.” As per the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, the ayin was transposed from an original ghah.
nun נ ן = the seed, thus continue, heir, son
ghah § = rope, thus twisted, goat, dark, negative
resh ר = the head of man, thus head, first, top, beginning, man
The cognate words will help us find the parable. One is rattle, as a musical instrument that is shaken back and forth. Seeds (nun) inside a dried (ghah, as devoid of life) gourd head (resh) became rattles that were shaken back and forth.
According to Strong’s, this root is identical to Strong’s H5286 נער na’ar, a primitive root meaing, “to roar,” as a young lion. The root word parable is the same, as the lion has the habit of shaking his mane out when he roars. A young man is full of fearless roaring as the young lion.
KNOWLEDGE Strong’s H1847 da’ath, an abstract concept meaning, “knowledge, intelligence;” from Strong’s H3045 ידע yada, a primitive root meaning, “to know, to teach:” the Hebrew root word parable.
DISCRETION Strong’s H4209 mezimmah, an abstract concept meaning, “a plan,” with the negative spin of an evil machination, and the positive spin of wise sagacity; from Strong’s H2161 זמם zamam, a primitive root meaning, “to consider, to purpose.”
zayin ז = the mattock, thus tool, food, cut, nourish
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
A tool (zayin) used to create (mem, in that water is necessary to bring life forth) an advantage (mem, in that water takes advantage of a path of least resistance for itself).
Leave a Reply