Pro 1:8-33 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Prov 1:8: 1:8–9:18 My child (Literally My son ): Like other wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, much of chs 1–9 is a father ’s (and occasionally, a mother’s ) instruction to a son. Because the son is being trained to follow in his father’s profession, much of the teaching concerns the son’s occupation. The NLT usually translates the term as child, since the lessons are applicable to both sons and daughters. Summary for Prov 1:8-19: 1:8-19 There are two paths (1:15 ) in the book of Proverbs: a wise, just way and a foolish, evil way. The parents represent the wise way and encourage their child to follow it.

Summary for Prov 1:8: 1:8–9:18 ^a My child (Literally My son): Like other wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, much of chs 1–9 ^b is a father’s (and occasionally, a mother’s) instruction to a son. Because the son is being trained to follow in his father’s profession, much of the teaching concerns the son’s occupation. The NLT usually translates the term as child, since the lessons are applicable to both sons and daughters.
Summary for Prov 1:8-19: 1:8-19 ^c There are two paths (1:15 ^d) in the book of Proverbs: a wise, just way and a foolish, evil way. The parents represent the wise way and encourage their child to follow it.
1:9 ^e crown you ... chain of honor: Ornaments often represent wisdom and its rewards (see also 3:22 ^f; 4:9 ^g). This imagery inspires readers to pursue wisdom with diligence.
Summary for Prov 1:10-19: 1:10-19 ^h The father warns his child not to join a gang of sinners in their plan to pounce on the innocent, for their evil actions will rebound on themselves (see 28:10 ⁱ; Pss 9:15 ^j; 35:8 ^k). The evil way is a path of violence and robbery.
1:12 ^l like the grave: Hebrew like Sheol. In the Old Testament, Sheol is the abode of the dead. It is not necessarily associated with punishment.
Summary for Prov 1:17-19: 1:17-19 ^m Birds will not go into an obvious trap, but greedy people will. By resorting to violence and robbery, they will be violently robbed of life. They might be killed in the attempt or executed when caught. Even if sinners prosper until the end of their lives, they will find judgment in death, while the righteous will be in God’s presence (see Ps 1 ⁿ).
Summary for Prov 1:20-33: 1:20-33 ^o The author personifies wisdom as a woman (the Hebrew noun translated wisdom, khokmah, is grammatically feminine) and encourages his son to embrace her (see 3:18 ^p; 8:1–9:6 ^q).
1:22 ^r Three main words in Proverbs describe those who lack God’s wisdom. Simpletons (Hebrew pethim) have not hardened themselves against God’s wisdom and are most open to correction (see 1:4 ^s). Fools (Hebrew kesilim) have heard God’s wisdom but resist it. Mockers (Hebrew latsonim) not only resist wisdom but even ridicule it.
1:23 ^t Wisdom invites all three groups (1:22 ^u) to come so she can make them wise. An intimate relationship with Wisdom means entering an intimate relationship with God, the foundation of true knowledge (1:7 ^v; see Job 28 ^w).
Summary for Prov 1:24-27: 1:24-27 ^x You ignored my advice—i.e., the call of God himself (see Ps 14 ^y). God calls to us through creation (Ps 8 ^z; Rom 1:18-20 ^aa) and Scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17 ^ab; 2 Pet 1:20-21 ^ac).
1:28 ^ad I will not answer: If a person has not sought wisdom before calamity strikes, it is often too late to learn.
Summary for Prov 1:29-30: 1:29-30 ^ae they hated knowledge: There is no middle ground in the language of Proverbs. One either loves and embraces Wisdom or hates and rejects her.
1:31 ^af Evil people suffer the consequences of their own actions (see 1:15-19 ^ag); God will ensure that sinners receive their proper punishment (see Matt 25:44-46 ^ah; Heb 10:29 ^ai; 2 Pet 2:9 ^aj).
1:33 ^ak Truly wise people are untroubled by fear. They know that God is in control, and wisdom guides them in dealing with every situation.