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Bible Q

Tag: Proverbs

Why are The Words of the Wise (Proverbs 22:17-23:10) based on the ancient Egyptian Instruction of Amenemope?

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An undisputed fact It has been known since 1923 that Proverbs 22:17-23:10 is based on passages from an ancient Egyptian wisdom text, the Instruction of Amenemope. This undisputed fact is found in all reliable Bible commentaries. For example: Erdmann’s Commentary on the Bible (2003) The source Egyptian text is usually dated circa 1300-1100 BCE, a […]

Does Proverbs 8:22 refer to Jesus?

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Proverbs 8:22  “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. The writer of this poetry had in his mind that he was personifying wisdom as a beautiful woman who leads men to righteousness and happiness, in contrast to the superficially attractive prostitute described in Proverbs 7 […]

What does Proverbs 25:13 mean?

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Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. (Proverbs 25:13) Harvest time is during summer and can be hot in Israel. In Bible times, there were no refrigerators so it would have been difficult to get a […]

What does “prosper” mean in Prov. 28:13?

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Prov. 23:13 says: Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. ‘Prosper’ means to ‘succeed’.1 The proverb is saying that people who try to hide their sins will not succeed (the inference is that they will be found out, even if they try to hide their […]

What does ‘lips drip honey’ mean? (Proverbs 5:3)

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Proverbs 5:3-4 says: {3} For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, {4} but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. This is warning us that an adulterer or an adulteress is pleasing to listen to (their words are pleasing to […]

Who is the woman in the nether-world and why is she there?

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This question is based on Proverbs 5 from the JPS translation: Proverbs 5:3-5 (JPS) For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on the nether-world; […]

What are the three things that can never be satisfied?

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This comes from Proverbs 30:15-16 15 The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: 16 Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.” The use of three … four is typical Hebrew idiom and the second number […]