IBS: Proverbs 1

Proverbs

Interpretive Question.

“Based on the book of Proverbs, contrast wisdom and foolishness [folly].”

Word Study

The week one assignment centered on constructing a broad definition of the word

“wisdom” used in its common Hebrew form “chokmah.” In that assignment I discussed the

multiple uses of the word wisdom based on the context and genre of literature it was found.

Specifically I came to see wisdom as it is applied in Proverbs as, “Wisdom begins with the fear

of the Lord (1:7) and is superior to all other wisdom (4:7; 8:11). Wisdom can enter/flow (2:10;

8:12; 18:4); can be found (14:6) and can be gotten or taught (4:5, 7, 11) as the Lord gives it (2:6)

into the hearts of man (2:10; 14:33).”

The English word “foolishness” is used in several translations of the Bible (8x KJV; 5x

NLT; 6x NASB) to interpret the Hebrew feminine noun ‘ivveleth. Other versions choose to

abandon this translation and consistently use the term “folly” (NIV, ESV). The chart below

illustrates this point.

Proverbs KJV NIV/ESV Strong’s #

12:23 Foolishness Folly 200
14:24 Foolishness Folly 200
15:2, 14 Foolishness Folly 200
19:3 Foolishness Folly 200
22:15 Foolishness Folly 200
24:9 Foolishness Folly 200
27:22 Foolishness Folly 200

Gesenius’s Lexicon defines this word in the following ways: folly, impiety and perhaps;

power or pre-eminence (especially as used in 14:24 where there is a double use of the word,

“foolishness of fools”) (Blue Letter, 'ivveleth) The majority of these eight verse are syntactic
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parallelisms (12:23; 14:24; 15:2, 14; 22:15) where the fool and his foolishness are compared the

wise or prudent man’s use or acquisition of knowledge. There are also three advancing

parallelism’s (19:3; 24:9; 27:22) that imply the foolish man’s ways will be “perverted” (19:3);

foolish thoughts lead to “abominations” (24:9); and no matter how much you beat or fight with a

fool he will not “depart” from foolishness/folly (27:22). The previous Proverb stands in contrast

to 22:15 where the writer implies children are born with a heart of foolishness/folly but the “rod

of correction” will correct the behavior. Therefore, we might conclude that foolishness is a

curable problem we are all born with but when it is caught early can be handled with wisdom.

The Writers Contrasting of Wisdom and Foolishness/Folly

Proverbs first nine chapters accomplish two things: 1) introducing the reader to its

purpose and 2) to reveal the contrasting relationship between wisdom and foolishness/folly. The

contrasts between wisdom and folly form an inclusio with the phrase “the fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom/knowledge” (1:7; 9:30). Between this inclusio is a series of interchange’s

between the virtue of wisdom and the failings of foolishness. Using the outline of Proverbs

provided for this course we could encapsulate contrasts as such…

Proverb Folly Wisdom

1:8-19 The foolish son ignores the teachings
of this mother and gives into the
enticement of the fools who desire to
do harm to others but basically only
end up harming themselves.
1:20-21 Wisdom calls out to entice the young
man to turn away from folly.
1:22-32 The foolish son rejects Wisdom and
gives into the enticement of folly. The
rejection of Wisdom and the choice to
not fear the Lord results in no help in
times of calamity.
1:33 Wisdom, when accepted, provides
safety in times of trouble or calamity; a
life without fear.
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This chart is typical of the causal relationships found within the interchanges between

Wisdom and folly. Wisdom speaks with the voice of reason offering the benefit of safety,

comfort and the opportunity for prosperity. Folly’s beginning seems to typically satisfy some

carnal desire (i.e. “the lips of an adulteress drip honey” [5:3]) but folly’s end is always

destruction (1:28-32), the grave (7:27; 9:18) or death (1:19b, 32).

What are the implications of the contrasts between Wisdom and Foolishness/Folly.

Wisdom, as it pertains to the Proverbs, stems from the “fear of the Lord” which suggests

folly’s beginning is have no fear of the Lord. Woman Folly is portrayed as a prostitute (6:26;

7:10). Why would the writer(s) use the metaphorical image of the prostitute? What are the

implications of this metaphor? How is does this relate to the “fear of the Lord?”

On the surface one might say the use of the prostitute was employed as a hyperbolic

method to reveal the stark contrasts between the purity of wisdom and the impurity of folly. The

reader; nonetheless, needs to probe deeper than the surface. Woman folly is loud, undisciplined

and without knowledge (9:13) compared with the prostitute or the fool who lacks knowledge

(9:13; 12:23; 13:16; 14:18; 15:2, 14). On the other hand the prostitute is also seen as one with

“crafty intent” (7:10). This might suggest the metaphorical image of a woman who looks good

on the surface; who possesses attractive qualities; and enables the simple to live undisciplined.

Her licentious ways are used for personal gain without the hint of the dedication of the woman

seen in Proverbs 31:10-31. She takes advantage of the simple in order to get what she wants.

This seems to indicate that Woman Folly is not dumb but because she does not fear the Lord her

craftiness becomes a tool of the evil one; a tool used to bring low those who would otherwise

fear the Lord and become wise and disciplined.

In contrast, Woman Wisdom reminds the young man that if he takes his eyes and heart
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off of her and gives them the prostitute he will discover she is a “deep pit” (23:26-27). Wisdom

calls out to her son to listen up and trust her words (5:1). Woman Wisdom, like woman Folly, is

also called loud and is seen crying out in the streets (1:20-21) but her motive is the polar

opposite. She is crying out not to bring attention to herself or what lustful desire she can fulfill.

Woman Wisdom is challenging the young man to a life of discipline.

For example, Proverbs 23:22-23 implores the young man to listen to his father and

mother. This is certainly a mark of a disciplined and covenant honoring life but also a life that

would fly in the face of folly. Further, the young man is challenged to “buy the truth” but truth is

not enough he is also to “get” wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Getting these three things

requires a discipline that can only come to someone who “fears the Lord.” This suggests that one

who seeks for a life that brings glory to his parents and his God is one who chooses which loud

voice he will listen too.

Folly entices the young man to enjoy the pleasures of sin while Woman Wisdom heralds

the call to discipline. Folly says give in to your desire and Wisdom says fear the Lord and he will

give you the desires of your heart (Ps. 37:4). Folly leads to destruction while Wisdom leads to

the path of righteousness that makes opportunity for prosperity (13:21; 21:21). Folly speaks of

the wide and broad gate that leads to destruction while the Wisdom speaks to the narrow gate

that promises eternal life (Mat 7:13-14).

Applications

Applications for today’s life with Christ abound as we compare the way of Wisdom to

the life of Folly. We might speak to those making financial decisions to consider the path this

decision will force them to walk. Will the purchase of the new car or house that looks so

appealing and provides a certain status lead us to give more to the God life or the life of
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selfishness? One might speak to young men about the dangers of thinking more with their desires

than with the wisdom that fears the Lord. We may speak to those struggling with addictions to

consider where their path has taken them and then show the blessings that can be had from

walking in righteousness.

The applications are many but in the end the lesson of the Proverbs is simple. There are

always choices to make in life. Some choices look good on the surface and appeal to the lust of

the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life; but all choices have consequences. When

choices are made without a proper “fear of the Lord” then wisdom is not available and

knowledge will escape us and we will become slave to the way of folly instead of free to live the

life of disciple God desires for us.

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References

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for 'ivveleth (Strong's 200)". Blue Letter Bible.
1996-2010. 16 Jan 2010. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H200&t=KJV >