Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke, this two-volume commentary is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available. Grounded in the new literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation of late, Waltke's commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound, ongoing relevance of this Old Testament book for Christian faith and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as "theological literature." Waltke's highly readable style -- evident even in his original translation of the Hebrew text -- makes his scholarly work accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.

The book of Proverbs is more than the sum of its parts. Even if some individual proverbs and collections could be older, the overall composition stems from the late Persian or early Hellenistic period. In its present form, the book of Proverbs introduces the scribal student to the foundations of sapiential knowledge and its critical reflection. By discussing different worldviews and contrasting concepts on the relationship between God, the world, and humanity, the book of Proverbs paves the way to both the critical wisdom of Job and Ecclesiastes and the masterful combination of Wisdom and Torah in Sirach. Scholarly research has long situated the book of Proverbs within ancient Near Eastern literature but declared it to be something "alien" within the Hebrew Bible. In contrast to such a position, the present commentary interprets the book of Proverbs against the background of both ancient Near Eastern literature and the literature of the Hebrew Bible. One aim of the commentary is to discuss new ancient Near Eastern parallels to the book of Proverbs, with a special focus on Egyptian wisdom literature, including Demotic texts from the sixth to fourth centuries BCE. An equally important aim of this commentary is a detailed exegesis of Proverbs 1-15 as well as an analysis of the overarching strategy of the book of Proverbs as a whole. Taking the prologue of the book in Prov 1:1-7 as a hermeneutical key, the book of Proverbs turns out to be a masterful composition addressing both the beginner and the advanced sage. With its allusions to other biblical texts, including the book of Deuteronomy, the Psalms and the Prophets, the book of Proverbs can be connected to forms of scribal exegesis in Second Temple literature. By using the same scribal techniques as other literati of his time, the scribal sage responsible for some parts of the book as well as its final compilation seeks to provide deeper insight into the complex world of scribal knowledge and sapiential thought.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary on the Book of Proverbs

Over twenty-five years in the making, this much-anticipated commentary promises to be the standard study of Proverbs for years to come. Written by eminent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke, this two-volume commentary is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on Proverbs available. Grounded in the new literary criticism that has so strengthened biblical interpretation of late, Waltke's commentary on Proverbs demonstrates the profound, ongoing relevance of this Old Testament book for Christian faith and life. A thorough introduction addresses such issues as text and versions, structure, authorship, and theology. The detailed commentary itself explains and elucidates Proverbs as "theological literature." Waltke's highly readable style -- evident even in his original translation of the Hebrew text -- makes his scholarly work accessible to teachers, pastors, Bible students, and general readers alike.

The “CPH Old Testament Commentary: Book of Proverbs” is a comprehensive volume that offers a detailed verse-by-verse apologetic and background exposition of the ancient book of Proverbs. Readers will gain an in-depth understanding of the wisdom literature found in Proverbs, which includes practical guidance for living a godly and righteous life. The commentary also explores the role of Proverbs in the broader canon of Scripture, providing insights into how this book relates to other biblical texts and themes. Written by an experienced scholar and theologian, the “CPH Old Testament Commentary: Book of Proverbs” is a valuable resource for pastors, teachers, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of this rich and complex text. Whether you are a seasoned Bible scholar or a curious seeker of wisdom, this commentary offers fresh insights and perspectives that will enrich your study of the book of Proverbs.

The author of The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual, Curt “CT” Tomlin, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write “The Book” to enhance and illuminate Christian understanding of the Old Testament’s Book of Proverbs. The author received instructions from the Holy Spirit to write an 'illuminated', The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual, whereby every Proverbs verse, would be positioned and contained, in one or more Chapter Theme(s); Accordingly, each Chapter Theme(s), characterizes and reflects, the various Proverbs verses listed and/or contained in the Biblical 'Book of Proverbs'; Thus, every Proverbs verse(s), phrase and/or series of Proverbs verses, has been positioned into one or more of the 70 Chapters contained in “The Book”. Additionally, as it is more often the case, that a specific Proverbs verse, might be listed within multiple Chapter Themes! For example, one of my all-time favorite Proverbs verses is Proverbs 1:7, which states--"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction". Accordingly, you will find this Proverbs verse listed in six different Chapter Themes, namely: (a) 'Fear of the LORD'; (b) 'Knowledge'; (c) 'Fools/Foolishness'; (d) 'Hate/Despise'; (e) 'Wisdom'; and (f) 'Instruction', based on the 'key word(s)' listed above. Additionally, I have used, the NKJV version of the Bible, including this version’s citations; Punctuations; Fonts and Appropriateness for Inclusion, for said Chapter Theme. Within “The Book”, each Proverbs verse is included or assigned to a specific Chapter Theme, based on such key word(s), phrase(s) or overall Chapter Theme associated with such Proverbs verse. For example: Where there is a direct, one-on-one tie in to a Chapter Theme from a Proverbs verse, then such key word has been, bolded, underscored, and italicized. Additionally, The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual, contains the author's notations to most of the Biblical Proverbs verses, such that the following author's notations are specified: For many Biblical Proverbs verses, the author assigned a: One (*); Two (**); or Three (***) notation for that Proverbs verse, and such a rating, from his perspective, represents how that Proverbs verse, spoke to his heart, i.e. "Good*", "Better**", or "Best***". Uniquely, ALL category Three (***) Proverbs verse notations, have been "Bolded", where such Proverbs verse appears within The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual. For example, Proverbs 1:7--"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction", appears in the already mentioned Chapter Themes in a 'bold' fashion. Another unique characteristic of The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual, is that, on numerous occasions within a particular Chapter Theme, the author includes surrounding Proverbs verse(s) within such specific Chapter Theme verse notation, such that in his opinion, including such ancillary Proverbs verses, helps to "illuminate" such Proverbs verse(s) for that particular Proverbs Theme. Thus, 'one size' or one Proverb verse, may not fully provide, the spiritual wisdom, knowledge, discernment and/or instructional message that such Proverbs verse might say, on a standalone basis. Finally, one truly unique characteristic, that has been incorporated into the body of The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual, is the inclusion of what is being characterized as a "Chapter Narrative", which precedes each Chapter Theme, and represents either, the author's personalized reflection of how the upcoming Chapter Theme(s) impacted the author's Life, or it reflects the author's interpretation of how that Chapter Theme(s), has spoken to the author, for inclusion into The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual. Enjoy and may God's Blessings enrich your study, journey and illumination contained within The Book of Proverbs and Wisdom, A Reference Manual!!!!! To God Be The GLORY!!!!

While many proverbs speak to us directly, we can gain much greater insight by studying the book of Proverbs as a whole. In How to Read Proverbs Tremper Longman III provides a welcome guide to reading, studying, understanding, and savoring the Proverbs for all their wisdom. Most important for Christian readers, we gain insight into how Christ is the climax and embodiment of wisdom.