Exegeting Proverbs
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Exegeting Proverbs
Proverbs 9:1-6
Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 1. List the units of thought:
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 1. List the units of thought: Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 2. Shape the structure: Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 3. Observe the different parts: Who? OBSERVATIONS Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom (= ?) she has hewn out its seven pillars. W’s maids She has prepared her meat The simple / lack judgement and mixed her wine; What? she has also set her table. W’s house & its 7 pillars She has sent out her maids, W’s meat & wine and she calls from the highest point of the W’s table city. Simple ways The way of understanding “Let all who are simple Where? [When?] come in here!” The city’s highest point she says to those that lack judgement. “Here” (W’s house) “Come Why? and eat my food To live and drink the wine How? that I have mixed. By eating & drinking W’s fare Leave your simple ways By leaving simple ways By walking in the way of and you will live; understanding walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 4. Question the meaning & significance of the parts Wisdom has built her house; Who / what is “wisdom”? she has hewn out its seven pillars. What are the seven pillars? Why She has prepared her meat are they hewn out (of stone)? Why is the wine mixed? and mixed her wine; Why has wisdom done everyshe has also set her table. thing herself in preparation for She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point her guests? Who are the simple that lack of the city. judgement? What are the simple “Let all who are simple ways they must leave? come in here!” What kind of life is promised? she says to those that lack judgement. What is the choice presented? “Come What is the difference between and eat my food “eating & drinking” and drink the wine and that I have mixed. “walking”? Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 5. Suggest some Answers (either by reflection or by referring to commentaries) Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom: she has hewn out its seven pillars. the wisdom of God She has prepared her meat the Creator of a wisely and mixed her wine; ordered universe she has also set her table. Seven: She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point suggests perfection or of the city. simply a mark of a “Let all who are simple prosperous home come in here!” Hewn out pillars: she says to those that lack judgement. suggests effort, “Come craftsmanship and eat my food Mixed wine: and drink the wine that I have mixed. enjoyment, richness, Leave your simple ways complexity, subtlety of and you will live; wisdom
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 5. Suggest some Answers (either by reflection or by referring to commentaries) Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom’s involvement in she has hewn out its seven pillars. every preparation: She has prepared her meat God’s generosity and mixed her wine; The simple: she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, the naïve, ignorant and and she calls from the highest point even foolish of the city. Life: “Let all who are simple authentic, lasting life, as come in here!” opposed to deadness and she says to those that lack judgement. eventual death “Come Eating: and eat my food and drink the wine feeding on what is that I have mixed. provided; Leave your simple ways walking: and you will live;
An Exegetical Danger Beware Allegorizing! Q: How is an extended metaphor different from an allegory?
An Exegetical Danger A: A metaphor draws attention to ONE idea in a pictorial form that symbolises ONE idea in reality An allegory has MANY points of symbolism corresponding to MANY aspects of reality
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 6. What is the over-all Subject of the passage? Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom she has hewn out its seven pillars. - the wisdom She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; of she has also set her table. God She has sent out her maids, the Creator and she calls from the highest point of the city. of “Let all who are simple a wisely ordered universe come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 6. What does the passage say about this over-all Subject? Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom she has hewn out its seven pillars. Has gone to great She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; trouble to prepare she has also set her table. for her guests She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point Invites to her house of the city. all who lack her “Let all who are simple insight come in here!” Invites the simple to she says to those that lack judgement. “Come feed at her rich table and eat my food Exhorts them to and drink the wine that I have mixed. obey her instruction Leave your simple ways Promises them life and you will live;
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage?
The Heart-Beat of a passage is the central point or
core message of that passage.
The Heart-Beat of a passage should be:
An ACCUATE statement in one sentence of the HEART of the passage that faithfully REPRESENTS its EMPHASIS (not a statement of a secondary theme or idea within the passage)
The Heart-Beat of a passage should also be:
A CONCISE statement of this central point (not a precis of the total passage)
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage?
The Heart-Beat of a passage should also be:
A MEMORABLE statement in contemporary language (not simply a repetition of part of the text)
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage? Suggestion 1. Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. God calls us to She has prepared her meat a) and mixed her wine; leave she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, our and she calls from the highest pointfoolish ways of the city. and “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. b) come & feed “Come and eat my food on his rich and drink the wine wisdom, that I have mixed. which he Leave your simple ways and you will live; has gone to great
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage? Suggestion 2. Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. Embrace She has prepared her meat Wisdom and mixed her wine; ------------------------------------------------------she has also set her table. Which is better? She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point Suggestion 1? of the city. . or “Let all who are simple Suggestion 2? come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. What are the “Come strengths and and eat my food weaknesses of and drink the wine Suggestion 1? that I have mixed. Suggestion 2? Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Exegeting Proverbs
Part 2b Proverbs 9:1-6
Bringing in LITERARY CONTEXT Significant literary contexts:
The immediate context (chapter 9) The larger (book) context The context within the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) The ultimate context (the whole Bible)
THE LITERARY CONTEXT Observe THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT (Chapter 9):
Section 1 – vv 1-6 Lady (Woman) Wisdom Section 2 - 7-12 Miscellaneous wisdom sayings Section 3 – vv 13-18 Dame (Woman) Folly
The Immediate CONTEXT The Literary Dynamics of Chapters 1- 9 The literary device of a familiar family situation:
A father speaking to his son about life and two paths open to his son…
The Choice: Two Kinds of Paths (2:13) The straight paths ¨
The dark paths where dangers lurk: crooked men and enticing women!
Warning: Not to leave!
Warning: Not to walk down!
Lead to life (8:35)
Lead to death (8:36)
The Immediate CONTEXT The Literary Dynamics of Chapter 9 The (disturbing?) use of the over-all metaphor: The (female) figure of Wisdom and soliciting the choice of (male) Youth in competition with another female figure - Folly
The Young Men They Invite The young men are described as: Simpletons (9:4) – mockers (1:22) – lacking judgement (9:4) – fools (8:5) her sons (8:32) – on the path of life (8:2) – the crowds (8:3) The men they beckon are immature, still in the process of development, and therefore at a critical stage of making up their mind. Some are showing signs of resistance to Wisdom:
The Immediate Context of Proverbs 9 The literary dynamics The situation and metaphor combined: The implied reader of Proverbs 9 is a male, choosing between two women inviting him to enter an intimate relationship!
The Literary Dynamics The ultimate significance of this disturbing metaphor: The invitation to him to enter an intimate relationship points to the ultimate encounter on the path of life involving the choice between life and death!
The Choice Lady (Woman) Wisdom People can be known by the company they keep and the people they avoid! Q: With whom is Wisdom associated? Whom does she avoid? (8:6-15)
Dame (Woman) Folly Q: What characterises Folly? (9:13-18)
The Choice A. Lady Wisdom Wisdom known by her company: Includes
righteousness (8:6) – truth (8:7) – wholesome behaviour (8:8) – good judgement (8:12) – common sense – success – insight – strength (8:14.15)
Excludes
deception, evil, pride and arrogance (8:7-8,13)
Note: Wisdom is not merely intellectual, but also entwined with ethical behaviour
The Choice B. Dame Folly Folly is:
Brash (loud), rather than bold Sticks her nose in where it should not be Ignorant and doesn’t realise it! The complete opposite of Wisdom
Understanding Their Message Their message:
(understood by interpreting a developing metaphor) Both desire relationship – come in with me! Both have prepared a meal: to eat with someone is to form an intimate relationship (Ancient Near Eastern culture) Both compete with each other (the young man cannot have both!)
Discovering their Identity Their identity A clue found in the location of their houses: The highest point of the city Temples built at the top of a mount (highest point) Conclusion regarding the two Women: Lady Wisdom a metaphor for God Dame Folly a metaphor for any false god
What is Involved in the Invitation of a woman inviting a young man to dinner Wisdom stands to invite everyone Wisdom’s banquet brings life A tree of life to those who embrace her. Happy are those who hold her tightly!
Folly sits to hook a client individually Folly’s meal is enticing – but Previous guests are all dead! She does not deliver what she promises!
The Lesson Embrace God’s Wisdom and make her an integral part of your life!
THE LITERARY CONTEXT Observe the ultimate (canonical) context: the canon of the whole Bible:
OT setting: choosing between God and idols, life and death Gospels: Jesus is God’s wisdom and source of life Epistles: Jesus (like Wisdom in Proverbs) is the agent of creation and bringer of life
The Canonical Context Wisdom and Jesus
The Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus In the NT Jesus associates himself with Wisdom Mat 11:18-19 Paul also identified Him with Wisdom 1 Cor 1:30
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus When Jesus associates himself with Woman Wisdom, He is using a powerful (metaphorical) way of saying that
“I, Jesus, am the embodiment of God’s wisdom”
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus When we read the NT and are introduced to Jesus as the Wisdom of God, we realise that, not only is the fear of God the beginning of all wisdom (OT theology), but also that…..
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus …to embrace Wisdom is to enter into a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus Similarly regarding Madam Folly, the choice now is: Do we dine with Jesus, or with the devil?
Proverbs 9:1-6
Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 1. List the units of thought:
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 1. List the units of thought: Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 2. Shape the structure: Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 3. Observe the different parts: Who? OBSERVATIONS Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom (= ?) she has hewn out its seven pillars. W’s maids She has prepared her meat The simple / lack judgement and mixed her wine; What? she has also set her table. W’s house & its 7 pillars She has sent out her maids, W’s meat & wine and she calls from the highest point of the W’s table city. Simple ways The way of understanding “Let all who are simple Where? [When?] come in here!” The city’s highest point she says to those that lack judgement. “Here” (W’s house) “Come Why? and eat my food To live and drink the wine How? that I have mixed. By eating & drinking W’s fare Leave your simple ways By leaving simple ways By walking in the way of and you will live; understanding walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 4. Question the meaning & significance of the parts Wisdom has built her house; Who / what is “wisdom”? she has hewn out its seven pillars. What are the seven pillars? Why She has prepared her meat are they hewn out (of stone)? Why is the wine mixed? and mixed her wine; Why has wisdom done everyshe has also set her table. thing herself in preparation for She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point her guests? Who are the simple that lack of the city. judgement? What are the simple “Let all who are simple ways they must leave? come in here!” What kind of life is promised? she says to those that lack judgement. What is the choice presented? “Come What is the difference between and eat my food “eating & drinking” and drink the wine and that I have mixed. “walking”? Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 5. Suggest some Answers (either by reflection or by referring to commentaries) Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom: she has hewn out its seven pillars. the wisdom of God She has prepared her meat the Creator of a wisely and mixed her wine; ordered universe she has also set her table. Seven: She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point suggests perfection or of the city. simply a mark of a “Let all who are simple prosperous home come in here!” Hewn out pillars: she says to those that lack judgement. suggests effort, “Come craftsmanship and eat my food Mixed wine: and drink the wine that I have mixed. enjoyment, richness, Leave your simple ways complexity, subtlety of and you will live; wisdom
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 5. Suggest some Answers (either by reflection or by referring to commentaries) Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom’s involvement in she has hewn out its seven pillars. every preparation: She has prepared her meat God’s generosity and mixed her wine; The simple: she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, the naïve, ignorant and and she calls from the highest point even foolish of the city. Life: “Let all who are simple authentic, lasting life, as come in here!” opposed to deadness and she says to those that lack judgement. eventual death “Come Eating: and eat my food and drink the wine feeding on what is that I have mixed. provided; Leave your simple ways walking: and you will live;
An Exegetical Danger Beware Allegorizing! Q: How is an extended metaphor different from an allegory?
An Exegetical Danger A: A metaphor draws attention to ONE idea in a pictorial form that symbolises ONE idea in reality An allegory has MANY points of symbolism corresponding to MANY aspects of reality
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 6. What is the over-all Subject of the passage? Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom she has hewn out its seven pillars. - the wisdom She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; of she has also set her table. God She has sent out her maids, the Creator and she calls from the highest point of the city. of “Let all who are simple a wisely ordered universe come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. “Come and eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 6. What does the passage say about this over-all Subject? Wisdom has built her house; Wisdom she has hewn out its seven pillars. Has gone to great She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; trouble to prepare she has also set her table. for her guests She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point Invites to her house of the city. all who lack her “Let all who are simple insight come in here!” Invites the simple to she says to those that lack judgement. “Come feed at her rich table and eat my food Exhorts them to and drink the wine that I have mixed. obey her instruction Leave your simple ways Promises them life and you will live;
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage?
The Heart-Beat of a passage is the central point or
core message of that passage.
The Heart-Beat of a passage should be:
An ACCUATE statement in one sentence of the HEART of the passage that faithfully REPRESENTS its EMPHASIS (not a statement of a secondary theme or idea within the passage)
The Heart-Beat of a passage should also be:
A CONCISE statement of this central point (not a precis of the total passage)
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage?
The Heart-Beat of a passage should also be:
A MEMORABLE statement in contemporary language (not simply a repetition of part of the text)
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage? Suggestion 1. Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. God calls us to She has prepared her meat a) and mixed her wine; leave she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, our and she calls from the highest pointfoolish ways of the city. and “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. b) come & feed “Come and eat my food on his rich and drink the wine wisdom, that I have mixed. which he Leave your simple ways and you will live; has gone to great
Proverbs 9:1-6 Step 7. What is the heart-beat of the passage? Suggestion 2. Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. Embrace She has prepared her meat Wisdom and mixed her wine; ------------------------------------------------------she has also set her table. Which is better? She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point Suggestion 1? of the city. . or “Let all who are simple Suggestion 2? come in here!” she says to those that lack judgement. What are the “Come strengths and and eat my food weaknesses of and drink the wine Suggestion 1? that I have mixed. Suggestion 2? Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Exegeting Proverbs
Part 2b Proverbs 9:1-6
Bringing in LITERARY CONTEXT Significant literary contexts:
The immediate context (chapter 9) The larger (book) context The context within the Hebrew Scriptures (OT) The ultimate context (the whole Bible)
THE LITERARY CONTEXT Observe THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT (Chapter 9):
Section 1 – vv 1-6 Lady (Woman) Wisdom Section 2 - 7-12 Miscellaneous wisdom sayings Section 3 – vv 13-18 Dame (Woman) Folly
The Immediate CONTEXT The Literary Dynamics of Chapters 1- 9 The literary device of a familiar family situation:
A father speaking to his son about life and two paths open to his son…
The Choice: Two Kinds of Paths (2:13) The straight paths ¨
The dark paths where dangers lurk: crooked men and enticing women!
Warning: Not to leave!
Warning: Not to walk down!
Lead to life (8:35)
Lead to death (8:36)
The Immediate CONTEXT The Literary Dynamics of Chapter 9 The (disturbing?) use of the over-all metaphor: The (female) figure of Wisdom and soliciting the choice of (male) Youth in competition with another female figure - Folly
The Young Men They Invite The young men are described as: Simpletons (9:4) – mockers (1:22) – lacking judgement (9:4) – fools (8:5) her sons (8:32) – on the path of life (8:2) – the crowds (8:3) The men they beckon are immature, still in the process of development, and therefore at a critical stage of making up their mind. Some are showing signs of resistance to Wisdom:
The Immediate Context of Proverbs 9 The literary dynamics The situation and metaphor combined: The implied reader of Proverbs 9 is a male, choosing between two women inviting him to enter an intimate relationship!
The Literary Dynamics The ultimate significance of this disturbing metaphor: The invitation to him to enter an intimate relationship points to the ultimate encounter on the path of life involving the choice between life and death!
The Choice Lady (Woman) Wisdom People can be known by the company they keep and the people they avoid! Q: With whom is Wisdom associated? Whom does she avoid? (8:6-15)
Dame (Woman) Folly Q: What characterises Folly? (9:13-18)
The Choice A. Lady Wisdom Wisdom known by her company: Includes
righteousness (8:6) – truth (8:7) – wholesome behaviour (8:8) – good judgement (8:12) – common sense – success – insight – strength (8:14.15)
Excludes
deception, evil, pride and arrogance (8:7-8,13)
Note: Wisdom is not merely intellectual, but also entwined with ethical behaviour
The Choice B. Dame Folly Folly is:
Brash (loud), rather than bold Sticks her nose in where it should not be Ignorant and doesn’t realise it! The complete opposite of Wisdom
Understanding Their Message Their message:
(understood by interpreting a developing metaphor) Both desire relationship – come in with me! Both have prepared a meal: to eat with someone is to form an intimate relationship (Ancient Near Eastern culture) Both compete with each other (the young man cannot have both!)
Discovering their Identity Their identity A clue found in the location of their houses: The highest point of the city Temples built at the top of a mount (highest point) Conclusion regarding the two Women: Lady Wisdom a metaphor for God Dame Folly a metaphor for any false god
What is Involved in the Invitation of a woman inviting a young man to dinner Wisdom stands to invite everyone Wisdom’s banquet brings life A tree of life to those who embrace her. Happy are those who hold her tightly!
Folly sits to hook a client individually Folly’s meal is enticing – but Previous guests are all dead! She does not deliver what she promises!
The Lesson Embrace God’s Wisdom and make her an integral part of your life!
THE LITERARY CONTEXT Observe the ultimate (canonical) context: the canon of the whole Bible:
OT setting: choosing between God and idols, life and death Gospels: Jesus is God’s wisdom and source of life Epistles: Jesus (like Wisdom in Proverbs) is the agent of creation and bringer of life
The Canonical Context Wisdom and Jesus
The Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus In the NT Jesus associates himself with Wisdom Mat 11:18-19 Paul also identified Him with Wisdom 1 Cor 1:30
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus When Jesus associates himself with Woman Wisdom, He is using a powerful (metaphorical) way of saying that
“I, Jesus, am the embodiment of God’s wisdom”
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus When we read the NT and are introduced to Jesus as the Wisdom of God, we realise that, not only is the fear of God the beginning of all wisdom (OT theology), but also that…..
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus …to embrace Wisdom is to enter into a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Canonical Context: Wisdom and Jesus Similarly regarding Madam Folly, the choice now is: Do we dine with Jesus, or with the devil?
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