We look to the first book ascribed to Solomon and officially recognized as "a book of Wisdom" - that is, Proverbs, the first of the five books traditionally seen by the Church part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.
Handout posted below.
Listen online [here]!
---------------------------
Wisdom Literature
Session 3, The Book of Proverbs and Lady Wisdom
The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
I. Course Outline
August 11th - Introduction, and the Life of King Solomon
August 18th - Books of Wisdom Literature, and the Deuterocanon, and Job
August 25th - Proverbs
September 1st - Ecclesiastes and Solomon’s final conversion
September 8th - Song of Songs, and prophetic foreshadowing
September 15th - NO CLASS
September 22nd - Book of Wisdom, and facing persecution
September 29th - Sirach, part 1
October 6th - Sirach, part 2
October 13th - Sirach, part 3 and Conclusions
II. A note on Solomon, as the wise author
King Solomon is called by three names in the Bible: Solomon (meaning peaceful), Qohelet (the preacher), and Jedidiah (beloved by God).
From Cornelius a Lapide: “St. Jerome notes that the Author was distinguished by three names: for he was called first Solomon, that is, "the peaceful"; second, Cohelet, that is, "the Ecclesiast" (Preacher); third, Jedidiah, that is, "beloved of the Lord"; and according to these three names of his, he likewise produced three volumes, namely Proverbs, in which he chiefly instructs beginners in the study of wisdom and virtue; Ecclesiastes, in which he instructs those who are progressing; and the Song of Songs, in which he forms the perfect.”
According to the traditional view, Solomon is the author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs; and Wisdom is also considered as being from him (in some sense).
Haydock: “He also wrote the two next works [after Proverbs], besides many other things, which have been lost. This [Proverbs] is the first of those five, which are called “sapiential,” giving instructions how to direct our lives, by the dictates of sound reason. --- It is the most important of Solomon’s works, though collected by different authors.”
III. The name of the Book
This book is called, in Hebrew, Mishle which means “Proverbs” - however, the Greek Septuagine called it Paroimiai which would be closer to “Parables”. Hence, in some old decrees and versions it is “Parable of Solomon” and others “Proverbs of Solomon”. In English, we call it “Proverbs”. As already noted in earlier classes, at Mass this book was simply identified as “A book of Wisdom” - together with the books of Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, and Sirach.
From the Haydock Commentary: “This book is so called [Proverbs], because it consists of wise and weighty sentences, regulating the morals of men; and directing them to wisdom and virtue. And these sentences are also called Parables, because great truths are often couched in them under certain figures and similitudes.”
IV. The Purpose of the book of Proverbs, and Its Excellence
Cornelius a Lapide: “St. Basil at the beginning of Proverbs: "First of all, he says, the book of Proverbs is a certain instruction in morals, and also a correction of the disturbances of the soul; in short, a comprehensive guide for life, containing frequent and brief precepts for what ought to be done.
“In the same place, St. Basil teaches that Solomon in Proverbs discourses exactly on each individual virtue, none omitted; and therefore he hands down not only Ethics properly so called, but also Economics and Politics, which are the three parts and species of Ethics taken in its general sense. For here Solomon instructs not only the private individual — how to govern himself — but also the head of a household — how to govern his family — and the prince — how to govern and rule the commonwealth. For some virtues befit the private person, others the head of a household, others the prince.”
Again, from Cornelius a Lapide: “The aim and purpose of these Proverbs is to prescribe for every age, sex, station, and class of people, in every circumstance, laws for right action and a norm for an honest life, by which they may please God, so that after the brief labors of this short age they may be endowed by Him with eternal happiness and happy eternity, and may lead those subject to them — whether in the home and family, or in the commonwealth and kingdom — to the same. This purpose the Author indicates at the beginning of the book, saying: "The Proverbs of Solomon, for knowing wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of prudence, and for receiving the instruction of doctrine, justice, and judgment, and equity."
Therefore scarcely any other book among the books of Sacred Scripture is more suited than this one for speaking, for preaching, for persuading, and ultimately for forming and reforming the morals of men.”
V. Outline of Proverbs
Proverbs 1-9, Speeches from a father to a son, and poems from Lady Wisdom.
Proverbs 10-29, Hundreds of short proverbs.
Proverbs 30-31, Reflections from Agur and from the mother of King Lamuel.
The book can be divided into a more specific outline as follows:
Part I, Proverbs 1-9, A commendation of wisdom, an exhortation to seek wisdom.
Part II, Proverbs 10-22:16, Under the heading “Proverbs of Solomon”, “is made up of disconnected sayings in couplet form, arranged in no particular order, so that it is impossible to give a summary of them” (Catholic Encyclopedia).
Appendix to Part II, Proverbs 22:17-24:22, Two short appendices to the second part, titled “Words of the wise”.
Part III, Proverbs 25-29, “These are also Proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.” Similar to part II, in that there is not an easily recognizable order to these proverbs which are given in couplet form as before.
Part IV, Proverbs 30, A minor collection titled “The words of Agur, son of Jakeh” and which focuses on the divine transcendence.
Part V, Proverbs 31:1-9, Another short collection of “The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.” The queen mother warns her son against various pitfalls and vices, especially sensuality and drunkenness and injustice.
Conclusion, Proverbs 31:10-31, An acrostic poem (alphabetical) in praise of the virtuous woman.
Haydock: “Wisdom is introduced speaking in the nine first chapters. Then to ch. xxv. more particular precepts are given. --- Ezechias caused to be collected what comes in the five next chapters, and in the two last. Some other, or rather Solomon himself, under different titles, gives us Agur’s and his mother’s instructions, and his own commendations of a valiant woman, which is prophetical of the Catholic Church.”
From Cornelius a Lapide: “There are two primary parts of this book. The first, from chapter I to chapter IX, contains an exhortation to wisdom.
The second part, from chapter IX to the end of the book, contains the actual doctrines and precepts of wisdom.
This second part, however, can be subdivided into two or three sections. For its first section runs from chapter IX to chapter XXV, where Solomon speaks intermittently, putting forth his proverbs like oracles.
The second runs from chapter XXV to chapter XXX [that is, to the end of chapter XXIX], where are placed the proverbs of Solomon gathered and arranged by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.
The third, from chapter XXX to the end, comprises the enigmas and maxims "of the Gatherer, son of the Vomiter" — that is, as the Hebrew has it, the aphorisms of Agur son of Jakeh – and of King Lemuel.”
VI. Question of Authorship
As noted above, there are three “authors” credited with the proverbs contained in this book: Solomon (the vast majority), Agur (Chapter 30), and King Lamuel or rather his mother (Chapter 31).
Of those ascribed to Solomon, we are told that Chapter 25-29 were collected by King Hezekiah and copied out to be arranged in this book; seeming to indicate that Solomon did not actually write that portion of Proverbs, even if all the proverbs contained therein are originally from him.
Traditional Catholic scholars would maintain that these others are actually just pseudonyms used by Solomon after a late-life conversion. Agur the son of Jakeh, literally means “The Gatherer, son of the Vomiter”. This could mean that Solomon “gathered” the wisdom of all ages, as his father David “vomited” (not in a negative way, but as in pouring forth from his mouth) the psalms. And Lamuel (or Lemuel) means “he who belongs to God” - such that his mother (i.e. Bathsheba) spoke these proverbs to Solomon in his youth. In this case, the poem of the good woman would be about Bathsheba.
Other traditional scholars say that these two (Agur and Lamuel) are introduced as interlocutors - almost like a dialogue. In this case, it would still be Solomon who is writing under these names.
However, even before Vatican II, most Catholic scholars considered Agur and Lamuel to be different people - and that these last chapters are not from Solomon but are from these other wise men, and were added to Solomon’s proverbs. Furthermore, even the passages considered as appendices to the first major collection of proverbs (we mean Proverbs 22:17-24:22) may have come from other “wise men”.
In fact, nearly all modern scholars would doubt whether hardly any of the proverbs are actually from Solomon – but we really see no reason to be so skeptical.
Remember that Solomon is credited with speaking 3,000 proverbs, according to 1 Kings 4:29-32. It seems entirely reasonable that the best of these were collected into this book, by divine inspiration.
VII. How many proverbs are in Proverbs?
There is no single, exact number of proverbs agreed upon, because many biblical verses contain multiple poetic sayings, while other longer poems span several verses. However, the book contains 915 verses, which host an estimated over 800 to 900 individual proverbs.
Scholars generally break down the total number of proverbs by looking at the distinct collections within its 31 chapters:
Chapters 1–9 (The Introduction): This section does not contain proverbs in the normal sense (as in, short maxims). Instead, it consists of roughly 15 longer, essay-like poems exhorting the reader to seek wisdom.
Chapters 10:1–22:16 (The Proverbs of Solomon): This is the main core of the book. It features exactly 375 brief, two-line couplet proverbs. A fun fact: In Hebrew gematria (alphabetic math), the numerical value of the name "Solomon" (Shlomo) is exactly 375.
Chapters 22:17–24:34 (Sayings of the Wise): This section contains about 30 distinct precepts or admonitions heavily modeled after ancient near-eastern wisdom literature.
Chapters 25–29 (Hezekiah's Collection): This section contains 128 verses featuring over 130 proverbs compiled by the scribes of King Hezekiah.
Chapters 30–31 (Agur and Lemuel): This final section includes five numerical epigrams by Agur and the famous 22-verse acrostic poem dedicated to the Virtuous Woman (where each verse starts with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet).
A "numerical epigram” is an “x+1 poem or proverb”.
1. The Four Insatiable Things (Proverbs 30:15–16)
"There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!'"
The Grave: Sheol, which always demands more souls.
The Barren Womb: The intense, unfulfilled desire for children.
The Parched Earth: Land that drinks up rain and immediately dries out.
The Fire: A blaze that never stops consuming fuel on its own.
2. The Four Incomprehensible Things (Proverbs 30:18–19)
"There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand:"
The way of an eagle in the sky: How such a heavy bird flies so effortlessly.
The way of a snake on a rock: How a creature with no legs moves so swiftly.
The way of a ship on the high seas: How a massive vessel navigates chaotic waters.
The way of a man with a young woman: Romantic attraction and courtship.
3. The Four Unbearable Social Upsets (Proverbs 30:21–23)
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:"
A servant who becomes king: Someone unprepared for authority who becomes arrogant.
A godless fool who has plenty of food: A wicked person who becomes comfortable.
An unloved woman who gets married: A bitter, resented wife who brings misery.
A servant girl who displaces her mistress: A maid usurping the wife's position.
4. The Four Small but Exceptionally Wise Creatures (Proverbs 30:24–28)
"Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:" (Note: This is the only one where Agur skips the "three... four" formula and goes straight to the final number).
Ants: Creatures of little strength, yet they wisely store up food all summer.
Hyraxes (Rock Badgers): Creatures without power, yet they safely build their homes.
Locusts: Insects with no king, yet they advance with perfect, military-like organization.
Lizards: Creatures easily caught in the hand, yet they fearlessly reside in the palaces.
5. The Fifth Epigram: Stateliness (Proverbs 30:29–31)
Agur finishes the chapter with one final formula: "There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing:" a lion, a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king secure against revolt.
VIII. A sample of Proverbs
A. Some "humorous" proverbs
1. The Nagging Wife and the Rooftop
"It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." — Proverbs 21:9
2. Gold in a Pig's Snout
"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion." — Proverbs 11:22
3. The Lazy Man and the Imaginary Lion
"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets." — Proverbs 22:13
4. Waking a Neighbor Too Early
"He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him." — Proverbs 27:14
5. Meddling and Dog Ears
"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." — Proverbs 26:17
B. Some of the most well known and quoted proverbs
Trust and Wisdom
Proverbs 3:5–6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
Pride and Humility
Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 11:2, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
Words and the Tongue
Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Life and Conduct
Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
IX. The opening of the book and Lady Wisdom
Wisdom is personified as “Lady Wisdom”. She speaks directly in Proverbs 1:20-33, 8:1-36, 9:1-6, and 9:11-12.
Proverbs 1:20-33 is a warning and a rebuke of fools who reject wisdom.
Proverbs 8:1-36 speaks of the divine origin of wisdom and her value.
In Proverbs 9:1-6, Wisdom makes a banquet and invites all to come.
Finally, Proverbs 9:11-12 speaks of the reward of those who receive wisdom.
Additionally, there are three poems about Lady Wisdom:
Proverbs 3:13–18 (The Tree of Life): She is described as more profitable than silver. Verse 18 famously notes, "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her."
Proverbs 4:5–9 (The Guardian): The narrator exhorts a young son to love Wisdom, promising that she will exalt, honor, and deliver a "crown of glory" to those who embrace her.
Proverbs 7:4 (The Sister): The reader is told to "Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman" as a shield against the temptations of the adulterous woman.
While Lady Wisdom can be understood to symbolize the Blessed Virgin Mary or even the Catholic Church, the primary way that the Church Fathers interpreted these passages was as an allegory of God the Son. It is Jesus himself, the Second Person of the Trinity, who is Lady Wisdom!
The Logos: St. Augustine, St. Athanasius, and other Church Fathers argued that Lady Wisdom is identical to the Logos (the Word) described in John 1.
Co-Creator: Proverbs 8 describes Wisdom as present with God before creation, acting as a master craftsman. Catholic theologians interpret this as Christ, through whom all things were made.
The Eucharistic Banquet: In Proverbs 9, Wisdom builds a seven-pillared house, slaughters her beasts, mixes her wine, and invites the simple to "eat of my bread and drink of the wine." The Church views this explicitly as a prophecy of Christ establishing the Church and instituting the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (the Eucharist).
This interpretation of Lady Wisdom as being God the Son was so strong that it is one of the most important Bible passages in deciding the major debate about whether the Son is truly God. Proverbs 8:22, “The Lord created me at the beginning of his works.” The Church Fathers insist that this could be “created wisdom” in the world which participates in the Divine Word; or another interpretation is the created is not a good translation, St Jerome says “the Lord possessed me at the beginning of his works.” Finally, it could possibly refer to Christ in the incarnation, in his created human nature.
It is interesting that the primary female metaphors for God in the Bible are in reference to God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Both here in Proverbs and when Jesus laments over Jerusalem, calling himself a “mother hen” (Matthew 23:37).
Of course, there are other passages which make some female comparisons in reference to God the Father or the whole Trinity. (Even if a mother forget her child, I will not forget you - Isaiah 49:15)
X. The “Proverbs 31 Woman”
This praise of the virtuous woman is used in the Traditional Latin Mass for female saints who were neither virgins nor martyrs (basically, for wives).
While Protestants often speak of a “Proverbs 31 woman”, Catholics often call her Mulier Fortis or “the valiant woman”. Of course, Catholics then make comparisons to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and to the Catholic Church as a Spiritual Mother.