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One can consider the Book of Proverbs to have had significant value in the Early Church. However, one might have been mislead into thinking that the Book of Proverbs did not bring about the unification of church faith and life. Though the Book of Proverbs does not concentrate primarily on the church dogmas, it does focus on the pious behavior which in turn, relates to the faith. It is this pious behavior, in the Early Church’s view, that is a practical translation of the living faith and the fellowship with God. St. Clement of Alexandria, who was a philosopher didn’t separate philosophy, knowledge, faith and daily life. Thus, he was interested in the Book of Proverbs. With the same spirit St. Athanasius of Alexandria assures the close relation between faith and godliness, saying: "For faith and godliness are allied to each other, and are sister. He who believes in Him is godly, and he also who is godly, believes the more1." A contemporary believer finds in this book a divine guide to translate his faith into life. Fr. Tadros Y.Malaty 1 Paschal Epist. 11: 9. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 4 Introduction to the book of PROVERBS THE SAPIENTIAL OR WISDOM BOOKS2 There are two types of wisdom writings in the Old Testament. The first type is comprised of practical, effective sayings on how a believer lives a spiritual and social life that grants him a satisfaction, and a kind of rewarding. It is this kind of wisdom that makes up much of the Book of Proverbs. The second type of wisdom writings deals with wrestling with the ambiguities of life. It explores such questions as:  Does life as we know it make any sense?  Can we arrive at any rational conclusions as to the meaning of life?  How are we to respond to the contradictions of life in a real world? It is this type of wisdom writings that we find in the Book of Ecclesiastes, as well as in the Book of Job. Among the books of the wisdom group are the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, which are attributed to the King Solomon. The three books are rich in the use of metaphors. Proverbs presents simple assurances and firm warnings. Moral questions are answered in clearness and firmness. It never accept the half way, but often distinguishes between black and white, shade so far away. Ecclesiastes acknowledges that things are not often as they seem. Learning, riches, fame, and satisfaction are not always signs of God’s blessings, they can be empty and meaningless. Ecclesiastes incites us with its questions, making us probe deeper . The Song of Songs sanctifies love, and matrimony courtship as a shadow of the supernatural unity between Christ and His Church, or between Him and the human soul.. The focus of each of these books is different. Proverbs aims at the holy will, Ecclesiastes is directed at the holy mind, and the Song of Songs is written to the holy heart. According to the Jewish tradition, King Solomon wrote these books at different ages of life. The Song of Songs was composed in his youth, Proverbs was a product of his middle years, and Ecclesiastes was written in the disillusionment of his old age. However, there are some important features that each of these have in common. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are both classic examples of a class of literature that probably appeared on the scene during Solomon’s reign and continued to flourish after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile. Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs share distinction of being known as festal scrolls. According to the Jewish tradition they are two of five scrolls that were read at the annual feasts. The other three scrolls were Ruth, Esther, and Lamentations. Solomon as a “sage” and had a great experience of life, an important message for all of us. It is simply this: Life, if we look at it long and hard, is not without meaning and accurate plan. There is a deep satisfaction in a life that we receive from God and is committed to His divine hands. He is a God of justice (Proverbs) and love (Song of Songs), and it is He alone that makes sense of life (Ecclesiastes). Because this is true, we can follow 2 Cf. The Guideposts Bible Study Program, Discovering Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, 1989, Publisher’s Introduction, and Preface. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 5 with confidence the advice of the wisdom writer, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6)3. THE LANGUAGE OF EXPERIENCES Some scholars see that Book of Proverbs as a book that contains a collection of human experiences presented in a form of proverbs, to be a guide for a believer in his present life, to practice piety, and to be successful in all aspects of life. This we can’t ignore, but we should know that it is a practical book that touches our faith, inspired by the Holy Spirit, using the language of human experiences. In other words, God in His love, wants to speak with us, and instruct us by many means, so that we may meet Him, and share His life, in order to grow up, and be successful in this world, and be glorified in the world to come. We can say that God used the following means of speech to teach us: 1.The divine commandments, as God did with Adam and Eve. Truly God loved us at first, but we are in need to find the chance to express his love towards God practically by obeying Him. Through the commandments, man tastes the mutual love between him and God. As the first parents broke the divine commandment, God grants man natural law or commandments, then He gave the commandments to Moses, the first leader of His people, written on stone tablets by the fingers of God. 2.The nature:: Man became in need to learn from irrational creatures, plants, animals, and insects, even from an ant (Prov. 6:6). 3.The written word of God: According to St. John Chrysostom, before the fall man was not in need of the written word to hear the divine voice, because He used to speak with Him face to face. Because of the fall and weakness of man, there was a need of the written word. 4.The visions and dreams: God spoke with the patriarchs and prophets through visions and dreams as divine revelations. The majority of them were a shadow and preparation of the incarnation of the Word Himself, as it happened when Moses beheld the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). 5.The language of Hymns: Through hymns mentioned in the Bible, God teaches us that the aim of His commandment is the joy of the heart, by establishing the joyful inner kingdom of God, and attaining the pledge of heaven. The book of the Song of Songs is a unique example of the divine speech to us through hymns. The Coptic Orthodox Church uses this method of speech, as she changed worship into a kind of hymns contain joyful and rejoicing divine teachings. In the Coptic Orthodox liturgies, the readings from the Bible, are not only read, but also sung as hymns with various tunes, looking to the whole Bible as a book of hymns. 6.The divine parables: The Old and New Testaments are full of the parables, which explain the divine mysteries in a very simple way. For example, the Church is figuratively referred to as a vine in Isaiah 5. 3 Cf. The Guideposts Bible Study Program, Discovering Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, 1989, Publisher’s Introduction, and Preface. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 6 7.The allegories: When the human languages can’t express the heavenly realities God uses allegories, as in the Book of Revelation. The word "allegory," is derived from the Greek "alla," meaning "other," and "agoreuo," meaning "proclaim." It originally referred to a figure of speech that Cicero defined as a "continuous stream of metaphors4." According to St. Augustine, allegory is a mode of speech in which one thing is understood by another5. Some scholars distinguish "allegory," defined as a method in which earthly realities are interpreted symbolically to refer to heavenly realities, from "typology," in which historical reality is interpreted as foreshadowing another, especially the person and work of Christ6. The word “type,”  in Greek has its basic meaning, ‘something struck out; a print, impression of a seal.’ The seal is the New Testament event, which has struck out a prophetic impression of itself in the pages of the Old Testament7. 8. The historical events: God speaks to us not only through the past events, especially what are recorded in the Old and New Testaments, but He also speaks to us through the contemporary events. He speaks with every one personally, through what happens to him, his relatives, friends, foreigners, and among the nations. 9. Proverbs. The Proverbs that express men’s experiences of practicing the divine commandments, or rejecting them, i.e. by examples to convince men that God’s commandments are worth living by. The teachings of this book are not expressed in a “Thus says the Lord,” as in the Law of Moses, where the same things are taught as a direct command of God. Rather they are given as coming out of the experience of a man who tried out and tested just about everything that men can engage in. Thus, we can say that the Book of Proverbs is a divine speech addressed to God’s beloved by the language of man’s experience. 10. At last, God speaks to us through His Incarnate Word, the Logos and Wisdom. St. Paul says, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1,2). The Word bowed the heavens and descended to meet man, and to speak with him by the language of practical love. The Fathers of Alexandria speaks of the Incarnate Word of God as the Teacher, Instructor, or Tutor, saying:  The Word of God, became man just that you may learn from a Man how it may be that man should become god8.  For this He came down, for this He assumed human nature, for this He willingly endured the sufferings of man, that by being reduced to the measure of our weakness He might raise us to the measure of His power9. St. Clement of Alexandria 4 Orator 27.94; Everett Ferguson: Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, N.Y, 990, p. 23. 5 De Trin., 15:9:15. 6 Everett Ferguson: Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, N.Y, 990, p. 23. 7 John MacQueen: Allegory, Methuen & Co, 1970, p. 20. 8 Protrepticus 1:8:4. 9 Quis Dives Salvetur 37. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 7  Within the divinity of the Word is power not only to help and cure those who are sick,... but to show to the pure in body and mind “the revelation of the mystery”... The divine Word was sent as a doctor to sinners, but as a teacher of divine mysteries to the already pure and sinless10.  With the light of the Word we banish the darkness of impious doctrines... Because the Word has opened the eyes of our soul, we see the difference between light and darkness, and choose in every way to stand in the light11. Origen PROVERBS AS AWAY OF TEACHING A proverb is a short saying which stands for a whole discourse or lecture. It has its effect on the hearers, attracts the attention. It concentrates on making comparison or contrast between two things. Using proverbs is an easy and uncomplicated and a very profitable way of teaching, and serves admirably well to realize the end. It is quickly apprehended and easily memorized. This method of teaching was well adapted to the times when books were few and costly, as man could easily memorize proverbs. But even today, in this age of learning, proverbs are household words and exert mighty influence. They have been copied down through generations. We breathe them in like the air and whether we follow their wisdom or not, they are reminders that a life well ordered is a life well lived. Proverbs help men to communicate because they represent the collected thoughts of a certain culture12. In fact, the world is governed by proverbs. We often repeat “As says the proverb of the ancients” (1 Sam. 24:13), or “As the old saying is.” These words are used by the majority, forming their notions, fixing resolves to their problems, and giving answers to their questions. Proverbial teaching is one of the most ancient forms of instruction. From the earliest historical times every nation has had its proverbs. Therefore, proverbs are very abundant in all languages, and among all peoples. No civilization has ever existed that did not, in some way, treasure its common experience in the form of proverbs. As the character of a people gives shape to their proverbs; and the proverbs, in its turn, go to mold the character of the people who use them. Proverbs were used among the Greeks from ancient times. Each of the seven wise men of Greece had one saying that he valued himself upon and made him famous. These proverbs were inscribed on pillars and had great veneration. Many of them, though they seem fresh and full of sap on our lips today, have descended to us from the remote antiquity. 10 Contra Celsus 3:61,62. 11 Contra Celsus 6:67. 12 The Guideposts Bible Study Program, Discovering Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, 1989, p. 16-17. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 8 THE PROVERBS IN THE DIVINE THOUGHT AND THE HUMAN THOUGHT 1. The proverbs in God’s thought differs than that in human thought, for truly many philosophers and wise men were known by their good proverbs, but they couldn’t present the perfect truth. The Alexandrian fathers state that not only the proverbs, but philosophy in general, is incomplete, for although it is a divine gift, men spoiled it. St. Clement of Alexandria says, "The same God that furnished both Covenants that of the Law and that of Philosophy was the giver of Greek philosophy to the Greeks, by which the Almighty is glorified among the Greeks13." Sometimes Origen praises philosophy and sciences. According to him, "all wisdom is from God14." He states that we can use philosophy as Moses had the advantage of the advice of Jethron, his father-in-law. In his eleventh homily on Exodus, Origen says, "If we too ever find evidence of wisdom in a pagan writer, we should not automatically reject his ideas just because of his name. The fact that the law we follow was given us by God does not entitle us to swell with pride and refuse to listen to the wise. No; as the Apostle says (I Thess. 5:21), we should 'scrutinize it all carefully, retaining only what is good15.'" 2. Philosophers and wise men, not only couldn’t present the truth complete, but also they have their own errors, and couldn’t fulfill what they have said. They also have no power to help others to fulfill their advice. Men of God use the divine proverbs which reveal the truth complete and perfect. They have the power and free grace to practice them and to help others to fulfill them. 3. While the Greek wisdom concerns itself with an abstract and speculative contemplation of unseen realities, the wisdom mentioned in the holy Bible, good or evil, refers to practical skill in the conduct of a believer’s life16.  In Exodus 28:3 The idea of wisdom refers to technical skill, “And you shall speak unto all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest’s office.” Also in Exodus 31:3-6; 35: 30-35, the artisans of the tabernacle in the desert were given wisdom by God for the execution of their work; in them manual dexterity is wisdom.  In 1 kings 2:6, wisdom is used to imply cleverness.  The wisdom which King Solomon received from God is illustrated by the clever judgment he made in the case of two mothers (1 Kings 3:16-28).  The measures which Pharaoh took against the “population explosion” among the Hebrew are styled wise measures in Exodus 1:10.  The “wise men” of Egypt, who could not interpret Pharaoh’s dream, were practitioners of magic and the occult arts (Genesis 40).  In 2 Samuel 13:3, Jonadab is styled a very wise man, because he told Amnon how to seduce his half-sister Thamar.  The widow of Tekoa is characterized as a wise woman for the deception she practiced before King David, thereby persuading him to bring his son Absalom home from exile (2 Samuel 14:1-24). 13 Stromata 6:5. (ANF, 2: 323). 14 In Num. hom 18:3. 15 Jean Daniélou: Origen, NY, 1955, p. 18. 16 Cf. J. Terence Forestell: The Book of Proverbs with a Commentary, Paulist Press, 1960, p.7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 9  In Isaiah 10:13 wisdom is used to describe military arts. 4. The Bible states that divine and supreme wisdom which is the aim of the proverbs is a divine gift, presented to men of God. At the same time it does not ignore the natural wisdom that God grants to all men in common, but it differs from one to the other according to his gifts, circumstances, seriousness, and spirituality. 5. Wisdom, divine or natural, needs to grow up through study, communications with others and through divine grace. In many ancient nations, like Egypt and Mesopotamia, there were especial schools, teaching wisdom. These schools were centered around the kingly courts. Only princes and the children of the courtiers, noblemen and priests were admitted to these schools. They not only gathered and preserved the wise sayings of earlier men, but also reflected and meditated themselves upon their own experience of men and affairs17. When Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter he learned all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22). While Solomon was granted great wisdom and understanding, and a mind with broad interests as a divine gift (1 Kings 4:29). He was a great king, famous for his wisdom. St. Clement states that all Christians who receive baptism are babies in Christ and are in need of constant growth through the teaching and the training of the Paidagogos. The life of the true believer has the characteristic of childhood that grows unceasingly, and flows the knowledge of the truth that never becomes old, nor old, and never has a limit. “Therefore the name ‘childhood’ is for us a life-long season of spring, because the truth abiding in us is ageless and our being made to overflow with that truth, is ageless too. For wisdom is ever fruitful. Ever fixed unchangeable on the same truths, ever constant18.”“The Educator and Teacher is there naming us little ones, meaning that we are more ready for salvation than the worldly wise who, believing themselves wise, have blinded their own eyes19.” St. Clement assures that no man is perfect in all things at once. "I know no one of men perfect in all things at once, while still human, though according to the mere letter of the Law, except Him alone who for us clothed Himself with humanity... But Gnostic perfection in the case of the legal man is the acceptance of the Gospel, that he that after the Law may be perfect20." We have to struggle to study wisdom, at the same time we have to acknowledge that God still desires to grant all His true believers His wisdom abundantly and freely, but not without their own will, for He sanctifies man’s will. THE TITLE The word "proverb" comes from a Hebrew word “mishal,” which is used of various meanings, such as the following: 1. An allegory: For example, Christ and His Church or man’s soul are allegorized as the Groom and His bride (Ezek. 17:2). 2. A discourse (Num. 23:7-8). 3. A song of triumph (Isa. 14:4). 17 Cf.J. Terence Forestell: The Book of Proverbs with a Commentary, Paulist Press, 1960, p.6. 18 Paidagogos 1:5:20. 19 Paidagogos 1:6:32 (Frs. of Church). 20 Stromata 4:21. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 10 4. An argument (Job 29:1). 5. A type (Heb. 9:9). 6. A lament (Mic. 2:4). 7. A proverb (Prov. 1:1; 1 Kings 4:32; 2 Chron. 7:20; Ps. 44:14; 69: 11; Jer. 24:9), that is a short saying which expresses many meanings. 8. "To rule or to govern" (Gen. 1:18; 3:16: Exod. 21:8). Thus, proverbs are saying designed to rule or govern our conduct, and may be called "Heaven's rules for men on earth21." PURPOSE 1. The Proverbs in fact is an encyclopedia that contains the knowledge of behavior, and life. It contains educational texts, that reveals the true happiness, and how we can attain it. One way to make sure that you are enjoying these “spiritual vitamins” is to read in the Proverbs daily. Lift up your heart to God so that He may reveal its wisdom within our depths. The aim of this book is for the believer to live faithfully so that he may glorify the teachings of God our Savior in everything (Tit. 2:10). Even the non-believer finds a type of life in the Proverbs to be successful,and to discover his need for the grace of God to help him. It is no wonder that this book contains 31 chapters so that man enjoys a chapter evey day of every month. 2. To know wisdom, and practice it (Prov. 1:2). St. Clement of Alexandria explains how we must thirst after wisdom till we rested in God Himself. “The desire for wisdom,” as he says, “grows when it is inspired and fed by habits of study, and it grows in proportion to the growth of the student’s faith22.” “He, who therefore has God resting in him, will not desire to seek elsewhere. At once leaving all hindrances, and despising all matters which distract him, he cleaves to heaven by knowledge, and passing through the spiritual essences, and all rule and authority, he touches the highest thrones, having to that alone for the sake of which he alone knows... For works follow knowledge, as the shadow follows the body23.” 3. To receive instruction, and understanding in wisdom (Prov. 1). TO WHOM Proverbs, more than any other, is the young people’s book of the Bible. As used here, “youth” does not mean merely children and teen-agers. The ancient Greeks considered youth lasting until the age of forty. KEY THOUGHT The key word is "wisdom," mentioned 104 times. Probably the best-known verse in Proverbs is, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (9:10), that we have to learn in the school of God. All true wisdom leads to God. Wherever it is found, the key which unlocks its secret rests with Him. He says, “the fear of the Lord,” and not “the fear of God.” He uses the Hebrew title “Jehovah,” and not “Elohim.” The latter expresses God as the “Almighty,” as in the creation. But the first title is used to refer to God who is present among His people, offering 21 Henrietta C. Mears: What the Bible is all about, 1983, p. 173. 22 Cf. R. Cadiou: Origen, Herder, 1944, p. 11. 23 Stromata 7:13. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 11 His covenant to them as His own beloved people. Thus, he connects fear with God who desires to dwell among His people and enter into a covenant with them, and not the Almighty One who gives orders. Thus, the fear of the Lord that grants us wisdom, does not mean fear that perplexes man, nor causes a kind of depression, but grants him peace and joy. The fear of the Lord means to be interested in God that we may not wound His feelings, but respond His love with our love, and His faithfulness towards us with our faithfulness towards Him. ITS DATE ITS CHARACTERISTICS 1.Practical book: When this book refers to faith, it translates it into practical behavior. And when it mentions wisdom, knowledge, understanding or discretion, it does not mean merely intellectual knowledge, but it is interested in practical life. The Hebrew word chokmah, “wisdom,” is mentioned more than 40 times in the Book of Proverbs, and 27 times in Ecclesiastes, which means something like “the skill of living.” The wisdom is practical, not theoretical, or esoteric. It is more spiritual ethics than it is philosophy. It means that a person knows how to act wisely, and live in a responsible, productive, prosperous, and righteous way. St. Clement of Alexandria states that the goal of Christian education is "practical, not theoretical and its aim is to improve the soul, not to teach, and to train it up to a virtuous, not an intellectual, life24." 2. What is implicit in this book is that God is active and concerned with all the affairs of His children: their thoughts, words, and behavior, for He is our God, Creator, and Savior 25. 5. The Book of Proverbs divides men into wise and foolish. Every man can transfer from one group to another and can grow in the same group. The wise are those who love knowledge and seek it, and practice it. The fools are many kinds, such as the following: I. The ignorant or the simple: They have no discretion, therefore, they cannot acknowledge the difference between truth and falsehood, and have no serious desire to attain the true knowledge..  They love ignorance or simplicity (1:22).  They are void of understanding (7:7).  They believe in every word (14:15).  They will die from turning away from wisdom [32], and are destined for folly (14:18, 24) II. The scoffers: They know the truth and falsehood, but they laugh at wisdom and toy with wickedness, because they seek at the carnal pleasures. They have the knowledge, but for the sake of evil desire they are not wise, and refuse to translate their knowledge into practice. Warned of the consequences of pursuing evil, they say: “It won’t happen to us.”  They delight in scorning (1:22).  They shame and hate those who try to correct them (9:7-8; 15:12). 24 See Carl A. Volz: Life and Practice in the Early Church, Minneapolis, 1990, p. 103, 222; Paidagogos, 1:1. 25 Cf. Robert L Alden: Proverbs, Baker book House, Michigan, 1995, p. 12,13.. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 12  They refuse to listen to rebuke (13:1).  They search for wisdom on their own, in vain (14:6).  They are proud and haughty (21:24).  They cause contention and strife (22:10).  They will receive God’s scorn (3:34); will inevitably face judgment (19:29); and are detested by others (24:9). III. The arrogant: They willfully ignore wisdom. They have no interest in whether something is good or bad. All that matters is, “What’s in it for us?”  They hate knowledge (1:22).  They make a sport out of doing evil (10:23).  They proclaim foolishness to others (12:23; 13:16).  They rage at instruction and self-confident (14:16)  They despise their parents (15:20).  They are more dangerous than angry bears (17:12).  They like to give their opinions rather than learn (18:2).  They despise wisdom (23:9).  They are wise in their eyes (26:5).  They will be destroyed through their self-absorption (1:23), and are destined for a beating (19:29; 26:3). IV. The rebel: Those who actually hate wisdom, so that they could be said to be aggressive unbelievers.  They despise wisdom and instruction (1:7).  They are sure that they are right (12:5).  They mock the idea of sin (14:9).  They despise their parents’ instruction (15:5).  They try self-correction that is folly (16:22).  They quarrel easily (20:3).  They cannot be separated from their foolishness (27:22).  They are destined to fall (10:8, 10), and will die for lack of wisdom (10:21). PROVERBS AND THE NEW TESTAMENT More than twenty quotations and allusions to the Book of the Proverbs is found in the New Testament. [Rom. 3:15 (Prov. 1:16); Heb. 12:5-6 (Prov. 3:11-12); Rev. 3:19 (Prov. 3:11-12); Jas. 4:8 (Prov. 3:34); 1 Pet. 5:5 (Prov. 3:34); 1 Pet. 4:18 (Prov. 11:31); Rom. 12:20 (Prov. 25:21-22); 2 Pet. 2:22 (Prov. 26:11)]. The Epistle of St. James is called “The Proverbs of the New Testament,” for it concentrates on the behavior of the believers. CHRIST IN THE PROVERBS In this book, wisdom is personified, as a person who in her (or his) love goes about the streets and gates of the city, and ascends to the high places, calling all men to partake of her banquet table, which she has prepared, so that they may enjoy the blessed life and attain success and happiness. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 13 When you read the book of Proverbs, if you put Christ instead of the word "wisdom," you will see a wonderful power in the book. He is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother (18:24). The wisdom as mentioned in this book has the same characteristics and work of the Word of God, as mentioned in the Gospel of St. John.  Wisdom exists before creation (Prov. 8:22-26; John 1:1).  Wisdom rejoices always before God (Prov. 8:30; John 1:1).  Wisdom’s delight was with the sons of men (Prov. 8:31; John 1:14).  Wisdom dwells with prudence, and seeks knowledge (Prov. 8:12-14; John 1:14).  Wisdom fills us with treasures (Prov. 8:21; John 1:16). The same thing happens in the writings of St. Paul:  Wisdom exists before the creation (Prov. 8:22-26;Col. 1:17).  Wisdom is the Firstborn (Prov. 8:22;Col. 1:15).  Wisdom is the Beginning and the Head (Col. 1:18).  Wisdom is the Creator (Prov. 8:22-30;Col. 1:16).  Wisdom grants us her eternal treasuries (Prov. 8:12-14;Col. 1:16). Our Lord Jesus Christ is theWisdom and the Instructor:  The Word... has appeared as our Teacher, He by whom the universe was created. The Word who in the beginning gave us life when He fashioned us as Creator, has taught us the good life as our Teacher, that He may afterwards, as God, provide us with eternal life. Not that He now has for the first time pitied us for our wandering; He pitied us from old, from the beginning. But now, when we were perishing, He has appeared and has saved us26. St. Clement of Alexandria WISDOM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Most cultures in the world have storehouses of collected wisdom, either in their literature or in word-of-mouth tradition. Robert Lee states, “Without doubt, the East is the original home of proverbs. Nearly all the proverbs of Europe can be traced to the East, so our men declare27.” When Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter he learned all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts 7:22). The flowering of Israel’s wisdom came with Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-9). He became the prodigy of the his world because of his intellectual attainments.28 The features of Solomon’s wisdom are the following: 1. A concern with nature (1 Kings 4:33), which teaches that mankind has to learn to relate to the created world around him, including animals and insects. He has to discover the nature, and to learn from it, even from the ant (Prov. 6:6). 2. The whole Bible is the divine wisdom. 3. God is the Source of all truth. 26 Protrept. 1:7. 27 Robert Lee: The Outlined Bible, Analysis No. 20. 28 Henery H. Hallet: Halley’s Bible Handbook, 1965, p. 269. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 14 4. The book of the Proverbs clearly declares the need of the believer to unceasingly seek for knowledge and wisdom (16:16). 5. Truth is revealed in Jesus Christ. He claimed to be the Truth (John 14:6). To know truth is to be really free (John 8:32). In Christ we attain the Truth and inner freedom. 6. Wisdom goes hand in hand if we attain God’s righteousness. 7. There is no dualism in the believer’s life: spiritual life and secular life. It is one life in Christ, who is the Truth and Life. 8. Although we cooperate with an unbelieving society, nevertheless we recognize that we never see things in quite the same way as unbelievers do (compare Prov. 4 with Rom. 8:35-39). 9. Proverbs illustrates this and directs us to the way to live responsibly in an alien world. THE PROVERBS, THE ECCLESIASTES, AND THE SONG OF SONGS 1. 2. According to Origen, Proverbs refers to the literal, historical, and grammatical method of interpreting of the Bible. Ecclesiastes refers to the moral method, and the Song of Songs refers to the allegorical or spiritual method. PROVERBS AND PSALMS 29 1. In Psalms we find the believer on his knees to enter into a dialogue with his God, asking for His grace, while the Proverbs are for him on his feet, to walk in the Royal way, practicing the divine grace. 2. The Psalms are for the believer's devotions and worship, through which he asks for acknowledging God’s will, while the Proverbs are for his activities and practical ethics according to God’s will. It is a textbook for practical living according to God’s will. 3. We find in Proverbs that godliness is practical. Every relationship in life is mentioned. We find our duty to God and to our neighbors, the duty of parents and children, and our obligations as citizens. Through the Psalms, the believer finds the way to ask God that he may have the power to fulfill that. THE PROVERBS AND THE HOUSE OF GOD The Jews likened Proverbs to the outer court of the Temple, Ecclesiastes to the Holy; the Song of Songs to the Holy of Holies. Remember that the altar of burnt-offering and the basin of cleansing were in the outer court. If we come to the book of Proverbs the believer can be cleansed and be purified. There also he finds the altar, where he can offer sacrifices of love to God. The book of Proverbs takes us out into the court of the congregation where the people are. Here they live their daily lives and jostle each other in the highways of life. This is a book for everyday instruction. It deals with the practical affairs of life30. THE PROVERBS AND THE ASCETIC LIFE St. John Cassian in his “Conferences” refers to the three Solomonic books as a symbol of the three degrees of the ascetic life: 29 Boyd's Bible Handbook, 1983, p. 250. 30 Henrietta C. Mears: What the Bible is all about, 1983, p. 173. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 15  The Proverbs refers to the first degree of the ascetic life, in which man leaves his land for the sake of God.  The Ecclesiastes refers to the second degree of the ascetic life, in which man leaves his people, that is his customs and habits that he had learned from his society.  The Song of Songs refers to the third degree of the ascetic life, in which man leaves his father’s house, to accept God’s love, and practice his sonship to Him. THE AUTHORSHIP Several names are given in Proverbs regarding its authorship: 1. Solomon: From the most ancient times since Solomon’s day, the Book of Proverbs has been received by the Jews as work done by him. The whole work has been received as inspired by the Sprit of God, and therefore, as Scripture. There has scarcely been any dispute concerning either the author or Divine authority of this book, either in the Jewish or Christian Church. Some scholars believe that Solomon collected a part of these proverbs from those who had preceded him, whether Hebrews or Gentiles. But this supposition has very little weight; for the holy Scriptures does not despise God’s gift even to the unbelievers. What Solomon was according to the Spirit of God, so that he might embrase what is true and divine,even even these were uttered by Gentiles. Solomon did not record all what he had collected, but by a divine inspiration chose what was in accordance with the divine thought,depositing it in the hands of thebelievers. Scattered proverbs were collected during Israel's history and were probably complied by King David and used by him either directly, or indirectly through a tutor, in the education of his son. 2. Some proverbs are attributed to the wise (22:17; 24:13). 3. Some proverbs are collected by the Scribes of Hezekiah's time and contained in chapters 25 to 29. This part is distinguished by being a selection of Solomon’s Proverbs, made by the men of Hezekiah, conjectured to be Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, who all flourished under that reign. 4. Agur (30:1), who may have been among the “wise.” 5. Lemuel (31:1): These proverbs passed on to the king by his mother; whether she was the writer or merely the repeater of them we do not know. These two last chapters may be considered a kind of Appendix to the book of Proverbs: SOLOMON, THE WISE MAN SOLOMON’S MARRIAGE WITH FOREIGNERS SUBJECTS OF THE PROVERBS 1. Anger: 14:17,29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11. 2. Chastity: 3. Cheerfulness: https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 16 4. Consideration of the poor: 5. Correction of Children: Many of the Proverbs were originally addressed to young men as wisdom from fathers to their sons (Prov. 1:8; 2:1; 3:1, 11, 21; 4:1). This reflects the nature of ancient Hebrew culture, in which sons were expected to inherit leadership of the family and nations. In other words these proverbs are addressed to the new generation, not to restrict their lives, but to help them to be good leaders.(Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 22:6,15; 23:13,14). These youth are warned about many of the traps that commonly ensnare young men:  Sexual temptation (Prov. 5:15-20; 7:1-27)  Foolishness (Prov. 12:15-16).  Ill-gotten gain (Prov. 10:2; 13:11).  Verbal abuse (Prov. 13:2-3; 15:1).  Strong drink (Prov. 31:4).  Pride or selfish ambition (Prov. 16:1-9). 6. Cosigning for Loans (Prov. 6:1-5): Proverbs warns would-be cosigners that the risk can sometimes be too great to accept, even for a friend 7. Counsel (Prov. 24:6): Proverbs stresses the need for counsel for every person who wants to honor God in life. It offers a number of helpful principles for making wise use of wise counsel. 8. Fear of God: 1:7; 3:7; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26,27; 15:16,33; 16:6; 19:23; 23:17; 2421. 9. Fools: 10:18,21,23; 12:15,16;14:9,16; 15:2; 17:10,12,24; 20:3; 23:9; 27:22; 28:26; 29:11. 10.Friendship: It is one of the most troubling developments in urban life today is the rapid growth of gang activity among young people. Proverbs warns us that man can be lost in a gang (Prov. 1:10-19): 3:27-29; 6:1-5; 11:12; 12:26; 14:21; 16:28; 17:9, 17; 18:17, 24; 21:10; 22:24, 25; 24:17, 19; 25:8, 9, 17, 20, 21, 22; 26:18, 19; 27:6, 9, 10, 14, 17; 28:23; 29:5. 11.Diligence: 21:5; 22:29; 27:18, 23-27; 28:19a. 12.Faithfulness. 13.Idleness and Indolence: 6:6-11; 10:4,5 ;12:27; 13:4; 15:9; 18:9; 19:15,24; 20:4,13; 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-16. 14.Justice and injustice: 13:23; 17:15, 26; 18:5; 21:15; 22:8, 16; 24:23, 24. 15.Kindness to enemies: 16.Knowledge: 17.Materials: The Greeks emphasized the soul of man and saw all material things as evil. The Bible reveals the goodness of God’s material creation. God does not want us to pull out of the world. He encourages us to be human, not sinfully human, but human God created us to be. 18.Mothers: The book repeatedly urges youth to pay attention to the instruction of their mothers ((Prov. 1:8; 6:20; 10:1; 30:7). 19.Mortality: 20.The righteous man and the wicked man contrasted: 3:32, 33; 10:3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 16, 24, 25, 28, 29-32; 11:3-11, 17-21, 23, 27, 31; 12:2, 3, 5-8, 12-14, 20, 21, 26, 28; 13:2, 5, 6, 9, 21, 25; 14:2, 9, 11, 14, 22, 32; 15:8, 9, 26; 24:15, 16; 28:1, 12. 21.Strife and contention: 3:30; 10:12; 12:18; 13:10; 15:1-4, 18; 16:27, 28; 17:1,14,19; 18:6-8; 21:9, 19; 28:25. 22.Temperance: 20:1; 21:17; 23:1-3,20; 23:29-35; 25:16; 31:4-7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 17  Temper and patience: 14:17, 29; 15:18; 16:32; 19:11.  Temperance and self-control: 23:1-3; 25:28. 23.Tithes: Honoring God with our whole Paycheck (Prov. 3:9-10). 24.Tongue and speech: 4:24; 10:11-32; 12:6,18,22; 13:3; 20:19; 21:23; 26:28; 30:32. 25.Wealth and richness: 10:2,15; 11:4,28; 13:7,11; 15:6; 16:8; 18:11; 19:4; 27:24; 28:6,22. 26.Wisdom: Wisdom has practical benefits for everyone, even those who do not know God (Prov. 30:25-28). 27.Women: The woman of Proverbs 31 is a model, for both women and men, of a way of living that brings fulfillment and contentment. She exhibits a lifestyle of work and love, based on godly wisdom. OUTLINES 1. Counsel for young men ch. 1-9. 2. Counsel for all men ch. 10-20. 3. Counsel for kings and rulers ch. 21-30. 4. The virtuous woman ch 31. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 18 2. The literary form: In the Hebrew origin of the Book of Proverbs, it is written in poetry, which always more difficult to read than prose. In addition it contains a number of words which appear only once in the Bible and it is these words which usually cause problems in translation31. Dr. A. C. Gaebelein has written this helpful analysis of he literary structure of Proverbs32. The literary form of these Proverbs is mostly in the form of couplets. The two clauses of the couplet are generally related to each other by what has been termed arallelism, according to Hebrew poetry. Hebrew poetry does not have rhyme or meter as our poetry does. Hebrew poetry consists of parallelism of ideas. Three kinds of parallelism have been pointed out: 1. Synonymous Parallelism. Here the second clause restates what is given in the first clause. It expresses the same Yought in a different way. "Judgements are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools" (Prov. 19:29). 2. Antithetic (Contrast) Parallelism. Here a truth, which is stated in the first clause, is made stronger in the second clause by contrats with an opposite truth. "The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out" (Prov. 13:9). You can see that the second statement is stating the same truth but from the opposite point of view by way of contrast. 3. Synthetic Parallelism. The second clause develops the Yought of the first. "The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; He that provokes him to anger sins against his own life" (Prov. 20:2). 1.This book is part of the wisdom literature of the Hebrews. It is not simply a collection of witty and wise sayings, but there is in it a distinct philosophy of life that depends on the grace of God. 1. Proverbs bears no unscientific statement or inaccurate observation. For example, "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). This is a remarkable statement because it was about 2,700 years later that Harvey found that the blood circulates and that the heart is the pump. In contrast, so-called the Epistle of Barnabas, mention is made of the mythical pheonix, a bird that consumes itself by fire and rises in resurrection. Such a fable does not appear in the Book of Proverbs nor anywhere else in the Bible. It is strange that this is an ancient book containing hundreds of proverbs and not one of them is unscientific today. That in itself ought to alert any thinking person to the fact that the Book of Proverbs is God-inspired33. 2. Proverbs is a book on a high moral plane. You simply will not find in its pages the immoral sayings which occur in other writings. Justin Martyr said that Socrates was a Christian before Christ - which, of course, would be an impossibility. And his admirers say that he portrays a high conception of morals. However, Socrates also gave instructions to harlots on how to conduct themselves! The best that can be said of him is that he was amoral34. 3. The Proverbs do not contradict themselves, while man's proverbs are often in 31 Cf. Robert L Alden: Proverbs, Baker book House, Michigan, 1995, p. 13, 14.. 32 Cf. J. Vernon McGee: Proverbs, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1991 p. x. 33 J. Vernon McGee: Proverbs, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1991 p. viii. 34 J. Vernon McGee: Proverbs, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1991 p. ix. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 opposition to each other. For example: "Look before you leap" contrasted with "He who hesitates is lost." "A man gets no more than he pays for" contrasted with “the best things in life are free!' "Leave well enough alone" has over against it, "Progress never stands still!' "A rolling stone gathers no moss" versus "A setting hen does not get fat!' The proverbs of man contradict each other because men's ideas differ. But there is no contradiction in the Book of Proverbs because it is inspired by God35. 1.The book contains not mere human wisdom, for its subject is the divine wisdom, as a divine grace, apart from it fallen man cannot please God or live a virtuous life. It shows that in all ages God requires men to live a righteous life and to grow into it. This is grace indeed that God grants man His wisdom at his disposition so that he may be an icon of Jesus Christ, and be pleased with the Father. Truly human wisdom are respected, but man’s trust in God is humbly acknowledged throughout. Man is not the sole master of his fate. 2.As the people of the Old Testament were not interested into the life after death in which the just would be rewarded and the wicked punished, the book of Proverbs presents the full possibilities of happiness in this present life. 3.This book closes with a beautiful chapter on women's rights. It also concerned into the role of women in the family to restore the whole society. Wherever Christ goes all human beings - men, women, youth and children - are lifted up. 4.This book divides men into two classes: wise and foolish. The wise have the fear of God as the source of wisdom (9:10). They are very close to God and give heeds to His commandments and obey them. The fools concentrate on their self-will, ignoring God's will. In the book of the Proverbs the opposition between wisdom and foolishness is an opposition between piety and impiety, and between justice and iniquity. To receive instruction in justice (Prov. 1:3). To receive instruction in equity. To give subtility to simple (Prov. 1:4). To give young men discretion (Prov. 1:4). To attract the wise man (Prov. 1:5). To increase learning (Prov. 1:5). Origen learned to see the Church as a long course in the study of religion36. To help attain to wise counsels (Prov. 1:5). To make known the words of the wise in proverbial form (Prov. 1:6). To express dark sayings (Prov. 1:6). That Solomon could have borrowed little from his predecessors is evident from this consideration, that all uninspired ethic writers, who are famous in history, lived after his times. Solomon began to reign A.M. 2989, which was 239 years before the first Olympiad; 479 before Cyrus, in whose time flourished the seven wise men of Greece; 679 before Alexander the Great, under whose reign flourished Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; and 1011 before the birth of Christ. Therefore to the Gentiles he could be but little, if at all, indebted37. 35 J. Vernon McGee: Proverbs, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, 1991 p. ix. 36 R. Cadiou: Origen, Herder, 1944, p. 9. 37 Adam Clark, Proverbs. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Introduction 20 We can also divide the Solomon's Proverbs into two groups:  Those which Solomon himself edited include chapters 1 through 24. Proverbs was uttered by Solomon as a direct gift from God38. The witness of the book itself concerning its contents attests that it is a compilation principally, but not entirely, of Solomonic proverbs (1:1; 10:1; 25:1). He wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:31-32). Solomon was a philosopher, a scientist of no mean ability, an architect of a Temple, ant then , too, he was a king. He is the first sacred writer whose name is at the head of his work. Taking 970 B.C. as Solomon’s date of ascension to the throne, he would have reigned from 440 to 400 years before Cyrus, king of Persia, reigned. It was during Cyrus’ reign that the seven wise men of Greece lived. This was about 640 to 600 years before Alexander the great, during whose reign lived the three greatest early Greek philosophers- Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Since Solomon lived centuries before all uninspired ethnic writers of history began to write, it is evident that he could have borrowed nothing from them! Nor is it likely that he could have gained much from the heathen Gentile world of that day. Although Solomon built the temple, but he was not one of the priests who were the guardians of the Law and of worship. He also was not one of the prophets, who were interested in revealing the will of God, interpreting the contemporary events, and foretelling of the coming of the Messiah. The primary interests of both priests and prophets were religious and national. But we can say that he was attributed to the group which were called the “wise men.” Their concern is believer’s successfulness in this life, having a positive role in the society, and in the world. Solomon was a very rich king, and his dominions were very large, and yet he was a prophet and a prophet’s son. He was one whom God endued with extraordinary measures of wisdom and knowledge, in answer to his prayers at his accession to the throne. His prayer was exemplary: “Give me a wise and an understanding heart;” the answer to it was encouraging: he had what he desired and “all over things were added to him.” None of all the prophets could have written the Proverbs for God is not wont, even in his miraculous interposition, to make a fig-tree bear olive berries, or a vine figs: every creature acts after its kind. The heights of human prosperity he had reached; the paths of human learning he had trodden further than any of his day: the pleasures of wealth, and power, and pomp he had tasted in all their variety. No spring of earthly delight could be named, of whose waters he had not deeply drunk. The man who has drained the cup of pleasure can best tell the taste of its dregs. He who made Saul an apostle did not disdain to use Solomon as a prophet. Very diverse were the two men, and very diverse their life course; yet in one thing they are perfectly alike, together in glory now, they know themselves to have been only sinners, and agree in ascribing all their salvation to the mercy of God. The errors and follies were his own; they were evil. But out of them the All-wise has brought good. Of the three Yousand proverbs which Solomon spoke, we have only those contained in this book and in Ecclesiastes; and of the one Yousand and five songs which he made, 38 Boyd's Bible Commentary, p. 251. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 21 only the Canticles have been preserved: or, in other words, of all his numerous works in divinity, philosophy, morality, and natural history, only the three above mentioned, bearing his name, have been admitted into the sacred canon.