Pro 22:17-24:22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Prov 22:17-24:22: 22:17–24:22 This section is ascribed to a group called the wise . Who they were is unknown. There is a reference to thirty sayings (22:20 ), and the wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections that are similar to an Egyptian composition called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters. Summary for Prov 22:17-21: 22:17-21 As with the prologue that opens the book of Proverbs (1:2-7 ) and the introductions to the individual discourses (see 1:8-9 ; 2:1-11 ), this section begins with an encouragement to listen . This wisdom is more than good practical advice—its purpose is to inspire trust in the Lord .

Summary for Prov 22:17-24:22: 22:17–24:22 ^a This section is ascribed to a group called the wise. Who they were is unknown. There is a reference to thirty sayings (22:20 ^b), and the wisdom sayings that follow can be divided into thirty sections that are similar to an Egyptian composition called the Instruction of Amenemope, which is also divided into thirty chapters.
Summary for Prov 22:17-21: 22:17-21 ^c As with the prologue that opens the book of Proverbs (1:2-7 ^d) and the introductions to the individual discourses (see 1:8-9 ^e; 2:1-11 ^f), this section begins with an encouragement to listen. This wisdom is more than good practical advice—its purpose is to inspire trust in the Lord.
22:20 ^g thirty sayings: Early scribes noticed that the Hebrew word for thirty has been written in an unusual form (shlshwm) rather than the usual form (shlyshym). All the early translations of the Old Testament (e.g., Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, Syriac Peshitta) read it as thirty. Nonetheless, some prefer to translate the word as excellent sayings.
Summary for Prov 22:22-23: 22:22-23 ^h Saying 1: God defends the weak, including the poor. Those who are well off are responsible to be generous to the poor (11:24-26 ⁱ; 21:13 ^j; 22:9 ^k, 16 ^l; 28:27 ^m).
Summary for Prov 22:24-25: 22:24-25 ⁿ Saying 2: An angry ... hot-tempered person is unable to control his emotions and expresses his anger at inappropriate times.
Summary for Prov 22:26-27: 22:26-27 ^o Saying 3: The message of this proverb is repeated in 6:1-5 ^p; 11:15 ^q; 17:18 ^r; 20:16 ^s; 27:13 ^t.
22:28 ^u Saying 4: Property was marked by stones set up as boundary markers; it was a great offense to move these ancient markers of real estate (see also 23:10 ^v; Deut 19:14 ^w).
22:29 ^x Saying 5: Those who hone their skills and work hard will have the best jobs and work for the best people.

‏ Proverbs 23

Summary for Prov 23:1-3: 23:1-3 ^y Saying 6: Many proverbs address young men in government service. A ruler’s rich fare might tempt a novice to overindulge through lack of self-control. But he will be vulnerable when sated.
Summary for Prov 23:4-5: 23:4-5 ^z Saying 7: Riches can be God’s blessing (3:9-10 ^aa, 15-16 ^ab; 10:22 ^ac), but there are other things in life that are more important.
Summary for Prov 23:6-8: 23:6-8 ^ad Saying 8: Proverbs puts a high premium on generosity (11:24-26 ^ae; 21:13 ^af; 22:9 ^ag).
23:9 ^ah Saying 9: Fools ignore advice (cp. 9:7-12 ^ai; 10:18 ^aj), so the wise do not waste their breath (see Matt 7:6 ^ak).
Summary for Prov 23:10-11: 23:10-11 ^al Saying 10: The wise avoid unfair business practices and illegitimate gains (see 22:28 ^am), knowing that the Lord will judge wrongdoing.

• Redeemer: The NLT is probably correct in capitalizing the word Redeemer and identifying him with God, although a human redeemer might be intended.
23:12 ^an Saying 11: listen carefully: Learning is the way to improve (see 10:17 ^ao; 13:1 ^ap, 10 ^aq; 15:24 ^ar, 31-32 ^as; 17:10 ^at; 19:24 ^au).
Summary for Prov 23:13-14: 23:13-14 ^av Saying 12: See 19:18 ^aw; 29:17 ^ax.
Summary for Prov 23:15-16: 23:15-16 ^ay Saying 13: A wise parent will rejoice in a wise child (see 10:1 ^az).
Summary for Prov 23:17-18: 23:17-18 ^ba Saying 14: Sometimes sinners prosper, but the wise will see that to fear the Lord is what ultimately rewards (see 1:7 ^bb).
Summary for Prov 23:19-21: 23:19-21 ^bc Saying 15: Discipline is necessary for living a wise and balanced life. Overindulgence in drink (drunkards, see also 23:29-35 ^bd), food (gluttons, see also 23:1-3 ^be), or sleep (see also 10:5 ^bf; 19:15 ^bg) results in poverty.
Summary for Prov 23:22-25: 23:22-25 ^bh Saying 16: This saying is an exhortation to pursue the wisdom that a godly father and mother provide. Unlike other ancient Near East wisdom texts, Proverbs attributes wisdom to both father and mother (1:8 ^bi; 6:20 ^bj).
Summary for Prov 23:26-28: 23:26-28 ^bk Saying 17: Falling for a promiscuous woman is a trap, not a source of benefit. Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes avoiding sexual relations outside of marriage (see ch 5 ^bl; 6:20-35 ^bm; 7:1-27 ^bn).
Summary for Prov 23:29-35: 23:29-35 ^bo Saying 18: This extended saying portrays the foolishness of the person who overindulges in alcohol (see 20:1 ^bp).

‏ Proverbs 24:1-22

Summary for Prov 24:1-2: 24:1-2 ^bq Saying 19: See 1:8-19 ^br.
Summary for Prov 24:3-4: 24:3-4 ^bs Saying 20: See 14:11 ^bt.
Summary for Prov 24:5-6: 24:5-6 ^bu Saying 21: See 21:22 ^bv.
24:7 ^bw Saying 22: Rulers should be wise (see 8:5-6 ^bx).
Summary for Prov 24:8-9: 24:8-9 ^by Saying 23: Fools are alienated from the community because of their evil actions.
24:10 ^bz Saying 24: A wise person has self-control and strength under pressure (e.g., Dan 1:8-16 ^ca; 3:1-18 ^cb).
Summary for Prov 24:11-12: 24:11-12 ^cc Saying 25: The wise do what they can to prevent injustice and suffering (e.g., Job 29:12-17 ^cd).
Summary for Prov 24:13-14: 24:13-14 ^ce Saying 26: Both honey and wisdom are sweet. Wisdom improves the soul, enhancing opportunities for the future.
Summary for Prov 24:15-16: 24:15-16 ^cf Saying 27: Those who are godly will not allow a setback to keep them down.

• Seven times is symbolic for “many times.”
Summary for Prov 24:17-18: 24:17-18 ^cg Saying 28: This saying leads to Jesus’ call to love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48 ^ch).
Summary for Prov 24:19-20: 24:19-20 ^ci Saying 29: Don’t envy the apparent prosperity of the wicked (see 24:1-2 ^cj), because their success is fleeting.

• snuffed out: Cp. 13:9 ^ck; 20:20 ^cl.
Summary for Prov 24:21-22: 24:21-22 ^cm Saying 30: The king is associated with the Lord, reflecting his power and sovereignty on the earth (see 1 Sam 12 ^cn; Ps 2 ^co).