Proverbs Monthly

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 1:1 The final formulation of the Book of Proverbs—which took place in the fifth or fourth century B.C.—represents the end of a lengthy process. This set of collections in which very diverse maxims and sayings are piled up, often without any order, requires an introduction. This has been composed by a writer whose concern is to emphasize the value of wisdom for the life of the people of his time.
   In accordance with an ancient custom in the matter of wisdom, the masters who taught it placed it under the patronage of a sage; our author chooses Solomon and attributes the whole Book of Proverbs to him (see 1 Ki 4:32; Eccl 1:1; Song 1:1). The sapiential reflection of Israel certainly did not cease after this exceptional king, whose prestige was based first and foremost on his balanced and sound discernment. It was perhaps in his time (tenth century B.C.) that the line of these teachers of morality, the sages, began.
   Wisdom is an ancient value, and it is handed over only to the person who knows how to listen and study and to become a disciple: “Listen, my son” is a formula that recurs endlessly. This conception of things has been formed in the experience of life, the reflection of schools, and the consciousness of a people. In making use of ancient sayings, one is initiated not into formulas but into an act of doing and thinking, into a way of life that is both human and religious. Wisdom is certainly knowledge but not one that is theoretical; rather, it is a knowledge of how to act, a teaching and understanding of life. It can find its deepest source in the fear of the Lord, i.e., in faith and devotion, in fidelity to the law, in a word, in the certainty that the Lord is present in one’s life.
   Wisdom is ancient but it is also a treasure! For everyone is invited to learn it, i.e., to experience the values that give true meaning to a person’s life.
2. Proverbs 1:1 Solomon: the First Book of Kings (5:12) mentions the wisdom of Solomon as well as his creation of proverbs and songs. He also appears in the headings of Proverbs in 10:1; 25:1 (see also Eccl 1:1, “son of David”; Song 1:1).
3. Proverbs 1:2 Wisdom: i.e., skill in living, in accord with God’s plan. The Book of Proverbs advises its readers to obtain wisdom (4:5), for it is more valuable than silver or gold (3:13-14). In the New Testament, Christ is called the wisdom from God (1 Cor 1:30; see Col 2:3). Discipline: a way of forming people that eliminates ignorance and leads them away from evil.
4. Proverbs 1:4 Prudence: right judgment and good sense (see Prov 15:5; 19:25). Simple: those lacking in maturity and experience and hence easily persuaded for good or evil (see Ps 19:8).
5. Proverbs 1:7 This verse sets forth the foundation of all religion and the theme of the Book (see Prov 9:10; 31:30) as well as the motto of the Wisdom Books (Job 28:28; Ps 111:10; Eccl 12:13; Sir 1:18, 24; 19:17). Fear of the Lord: reverential respect for God that leads to submission to his lordship and obedience to his commands (Eccl 12:13). Fools: those who oppose knowledge (Prov 1:22), resent any kind of correction (Prov 12:1), get into quarrels (Prov 20:3), give in to anger (Prov 29:11), are complacent (Prov 1:32), and trust in themselves (Prov 28:26) rather than in God (Ps 14:1).
6. Proverbs 1:8 My son: in the sapiential literature, the relationship of master-disciple is expressed by that of parent-child.
7. Proverbs 1:10 The values dear to the heart of our author are uprightness, sincerity, docility, good behavior, and, above all, fear of God, i.e., the believer’s upright life in relation to God, to himself or herself, and to others. And the evils opposed to these are also set forth: falsehood, suffering, bad company, and violence. It is the catalogue of virtues and vices that the Book of Proverbs regulates endlessly in the history of Israel. Here, one evil is flogged more particularly: adultery, possibly because it was more prevalent than others at that time.
   These first nine chapters are on the whole the work of a fairly recent author, probably in the fifth century B.C. He is not satisfied to string together widely different maxims, but seeks to think about them in a more coherent way. A clear line is drawn between the followers of wisdom and the slaves of folly; by the latter the author means the foolish or senseless persons who let themselves be duped by the appearances of the moment. The author aims, above all, to influence the decisions of the simple and the careless who have not yet made a choice.
   In this fine address, Wisdom herself comes on the scene as a person who directs her invitation to men and women in the squares of the city and who calls to each in the depths of their hearts.
8. Proverbs 1:10 The author does not use the demanding or upsetting tone of the Prophets. He excels in counseling and putting on notice, indicative of a moralist attentive to the realism of daily life. He is keenly aware of the temptations that lie in wait for people from the moment they let themselves be drawn into participation in evil. He sets forth an appeal to resist the pressure exerted by entourages of evil.
9. Proverbs 1:13 Riches of every sort: Proverbs teaches that, contrary to the belief of sinners, it is wisdom that gives people the greatest riches they could ever have (see Prov 3:14-16; 16:16; see also Job 28:12-19).
10. Proverbs 1:16 This verse is the same as the first two lines of Isa 59:7, and part of it is cited in Rom 3:15. See Prov 6:17-18.
11. Proverbs 1:17 When birds see a hunter spread out his net, they do not fall into it. In the same way, the young person who understands the dangers facing those who follow sinners will be able to avoid them.
12. Proverbs 1:20 Here and in three other places in Proverbs (3:15-18; 8:1-36; 9:1-12), Wisdom is personified. People think of Wisdom as confined to palaces and schools, but she is present in public squares. Like the Prophets, she has a strong voice to preach, threaten, and encourage. Indeed, it is right in the middle of the daily affairs that one must listen to the call to conversion. We are called to state our views clearly; if we fail to do so, our days will slip away into meaninglessness. False securities cannot bring about the changes necessary in an existence devoid of deep attention.
13. Proverbs 1:22 Mockers: i.e., those who are haughty (Prov 21:24), filled with insults, hatred, and strife (Prov 9:7-8; 22:10; 29:8), and reject correction (Prov 13:1; 15:12) that is due them (Prov 19:25; 21:11). Another name for them is “scoffers.”
14. Proverbs 1:26 Wisdom laughs in reaction to the foolishness of the mockers who have rejected her warnings and brought ruin on themselves. They suffer the same fate as the scoundrel (Prov 6:12-15).
15. Proverbs 1:28 When they are in trouble, the foolish will search for wisdom—but without success (e.g., see Jn 7:34; 8:21).
16. Proverbs 1:29 Fear the Lord: see note on verse 7.
17. Proverbs 1:31 Sinners reap the consequences of their actions (see Wis 11:16), and those who do find wisdom find life and blessing (see Prov 1:32; 3:13; 8:17, 35; 14:14). “A person will reap only what he sows” (Gal 6:7).