What is your definition of Proverbs chapter 4?

Answer 1

It begins with a loving father speaking of his father who taught him wisdom which the loving father wishes to impress upon his son, to listen to his words and guidance and to keep his commandments. The chapter is a combination of advise which includes basically keeping the commandments of God and holding back from following after the wicked; also it teachers the reader/listener to strive to be morally upright, true and just in all their doings. The chapter also presents wisdom as a real person, such as a loving mother or sister who only wants the best for her child or brother. Proverbs 7:4 asserts, "Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call understanding [thy] kinswoman;" Proverbs 1:20, "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets." It's a great chapter and a wise man or woman will do well to ponder its teachings. For a good understanding of the truth Wisdom conveys see Proverbs 15:33.

Answer 2

The book of Proverbs was written in several layers, with the first layer being a story of Lady Wisdom, a spirit or goddess who was with God at the creation. Later layers added the introduction that attributed the book to Solomon, as well as material about philosophical wisdom, that has tended to obscure the older verses about (Lady) Wisdom. By the last century BCE, some parts of Judaism were becoming uncomfortable with Wisdom, and she ceased to be part of the Judaic belief system by the end of the first century CE. However, the Book of Proverbs was too important to omit from the Hebrew canon. Englsih translations also sometimes show 'wisdom' in lower case, where the original meaning suggests the person of Wisdom.

A clear example of Wisdom material is in Proverbs 1:20 (KJV): "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets ...".

Proverbs chapter 4 contains both older Wisdom and later material. It starts with the instructions of a father (Solomon?) to his children, to get wisdom and understanding. By verse 8, it is talking about Lady Wisdom: "Exult her ...". The chapter discusses her briefly, then returns to philosophical advice for the remainder of the chapter.

Answer 3

Proverbs ch.4 is an admonishment to listen to, to treasure, and to obey the wise teachings of the Torah, and to avoid the wicked and their attitudes and practices. Wisdom is personified in some verses, as it alludes to the Torah, and indirectly to God himself.

1 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend in order to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my teaching.

3 For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.

4 And he taught me, and said unto me: 'Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments, and live;

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; forget not, nor decline from the words of my mouth;

6 Do not forsake her (wisdom), and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom; and with all your acquisitions get understanding.

8 Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.

9 She will give to thy head a beautification of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow on you.'

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in paths of uprightness.

12 When you walk, your step shall not be constricted; and if you run you shall not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go; keep her, for she is your life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn from it, and pass on.

16 For they sleep not, unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away, unless they have caused some to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shines more and more until the day is established.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Above all that you guard, guard your heart; for from it are the results of life.

24 Keep away from you a stubborn mouth, and perverse lips put far away from you.

25 Let your eyes look straightforwardly, and let your eyelids look straight before you.

26 Consider the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right nor to the left; remove your foot from evil.