Proverbs 25–29

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Chapters 25 to 29 of the Book of Proverbs in the Hebrew Bible are treated by commentators as the fifth part of the book,[1] or the "second Solomonic collection".[2] This section of Proverbs is introduced within the text as "[the] proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied".[3] Hezekiah was the 13th king of Judah from 726 BCE to 697 BCE,[4] who is spoken of favourably in 2 Kings 18:3.

Aberdeen theologian Kenneth Aitken interprets "the men" as meaning the royal scribes.[2] The Jewish Encyclopedia suggests that the attribution to the men of Hezekiah is not based on historical facts.[4]

Aitken argues that chapters 25-27 and 28-29 were originally separate collections,[2] while Methodist minister Arno Gaebelein argues that chapters 27-29 as a unit constitute "instructions given to Solomon".[5]

Chapter 25[]

Verses 2 to 7 consist of a series of sayings regarding the king, followed by advice in verses 6 and 7 directed to royal officials.[2] David Brown notes that Jesus' parable in Luke 14:7–11 includes "a reproduction" of verses 6 and 7.[6]

Chapter 26[]

The first twelve verses, except verse 2, "Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight",[7] form a series of sayings on the 'fool'.[2]

Chapter 27[]

My son, be wise[]

The New King James Version adopts verse 7 as a sub-heading for this chapter,[8] reflecting Gaebelein's argument that this section represents "instructions given to Solomon".[5] Verses 23 to 27 are distinct and commend the life of a shepherd "as providing the best and most enduring kind of wealth".[2]

Verse 1[]

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.[9]

Perowne notes that the Septuagint refers to "the day" (Greek: ἡ ἐπιοῦσα, hē epiousa), meaning the next day, but he considers "a day", meaning " a future day", to be a preferable translation.[10]

Chapter 28[]

Verse 2[]

Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.[11]

The Hebrew in this verse is obscure and the New Revised Standard Version attempts a more intelligible reading:[2]

When a land rebels,
it has many rulers;
but with an intelligent ruler
there is lasting order.[12]

The reign of Hezekiah is associated with attempts to restore the union of Judah and Israel by political and religious means, which both proved unsuccessful.[13]

In the Septuagint, this verse is presented as a saying about quarrelling:[2]

By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.[14]

Verse 8[]

One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.[15]

Usury is banned under the Mosaic law, by Exodus 22:25 and Leviticus 25:36–37.[2]

Chapter 29[]

Verse 14[]

The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.[16]

Methodist commentator Joseph Benson makes the point that a king who judges the poor "faithfully" (the word used in the King James Version) also judges the rich "faithfully", but he argues that the proverb "names the poor, because these are much oppressed and injured by others, and least regarded by princes, and yet committed to their more especial care".[17]

Verse 27[]

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.[18]

This final verse of chapter 29 has additional words in the Latin Vulgate, Verbum custodiens filius extra perditionem erit, which appear in some versions of the Septuagint after Proverbs 24:22,[19] and are translated in the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition as "The son that keepeth the word, shall be free from destruction".[20]

References[]

  1. ^ Perdue, L. G. (2012), Proverbs, pages x–xi
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Aitken, K. T., 19. Proverbs in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary, p. 419-421
  3. ^ Proverbs 25:1: New King James Version
  4. ^ a b Jewish Encyclopedia, HEZEKIAH (Hebr. = "my strength is Jah"; Assyrian, "Ḥazaḳiau"), accessed 7 May 2021
  5. ^ a b Gaebelein, A. (1919), Gaebelein's Annotated Bible: Proverbs 27, accessed 5 May 2021
  6. ^ Brown, D., Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Luke 14, accessed 3 May 2021
  7. ^ Proverbs 26:2: NKJV
  8. ^ Sub-heading at Proverbs 27:1, NKJV
  9. ^ Proverbs 27:1: NKJV
  10. ^ Perowne, T. T., Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: Proverbs 27, accessed 5 May 2021
  11. ^ Proverbs 28:2: NKJV
  12. ^ Proverbs 28:2: NRSV
  13. ^ Mathys, H. P., 1 and 2 Chronicles in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary, p. 302
  14. ^ Brenton's Septuagint Translation: Proverbs 28, accessed 6 May 2021
  15. ^ Proverbs 28:8: NKJV
  16. ^ Proverbs 29:14: NKJV
  17. ^ Benson, J., Benson Commentary: Proverbs 29, accessed 7 May 2021
  18. ^ Proverbs 29:27: NKJV
  19. ^ Pulpit Commentary, Proverbs 29, accessed 7 May 2021
  20. ^ Proverbs 29:27: DRA
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