Proverbs 25:1

¶ These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

These are also proverbs {H4912} of Solomon {H8010}, which the men {H582} of Hezekiah {H2396} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} copied out {H6275}.

These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y'hudah copied them out:

These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

Proverbs 25:1 serves as an important introductory verse, marking a new section within the Book of Proverbs, specifically chapters 25-29. This verse highlights the historical context and the process through which these particular proverbs were preserved and transmitted.

Context

The Book of Proverbs is primarily attributed to King Solomon, renowned for his immense wisdom (as noted in 1 Kings 4:32, where it states he spoke three thousand proverbs). However, this verse reveals that not all of Solomon's proverbs were compiled at the same time. Centuries after Solomon's reign (circa 970-931 BC), during the time of King Hezekiah of Judah (circa 715-686 BC), a dedicated effort was made to gather and transcribe more of Solomon's sayings.

King Hezekiah was a righteous monarch known for his spiritual reforms and commitment to restoring proper worship in Judah (2 Kings 18:5). His decision to have "his men" (likely royal scribes or scholars) copy out these proverbs underscores the high value placed on wisdom and divine instruction within his kingdom. This act was part of a larger movement to preserve and promote the spiritual heritage of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Preservation of Wisdom: This verse emphasizes the enduring nature and critical importance of divinely inspired wisdom. The fact that these proverbs, originating with Solomon, were meticulously preserved centuries later by Hezekiah's court speaks to their timeless value and the divine providence in ensuring their survival for future generations.
  • Royal Patronage of Truth: Hezekiah's initiative demonstrates how righteous leadership can actively contribute to the collection and dissemination of God's truth. His actions ensured that the wisdom of Solomon continued to instruct the people of Judah and beyond.
  • Human Agency in Divine Revelation: While the proverbs are divinely inspired, their transmission into written form and their careful compilation involved human effort. This highlights the partnership between God's revelation and human responsibility in preserving and understanding His word.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase for "copied out" is he'atiqu (העתיקו), which signifies more than just a simple transcription. It implies a deliberate act of selecting, compiling, and transferring these sayings from existing sources or oral traditions into a definitive written collection. This suggests a careful scholarly endeavor by Hezekiah's men to organize and preserve these valuable teachings.

Practical Application

Proverbs 25:1 encourages us to appreciate the meticulous care taken by past generations to preserve the Scriptures. It reminds us that the wisdom contained within the Book of Proverbs is not merely ancient lore but a living word, carefully transmitted through history for our benefit. Just as Hezekiah’s men valued these proverbs enough to collect them, we too should diligently seek out and apply this wisdom in our daily lives, recognizing its divine origin and timeless relevance. This verse also implicitly encourages us to be stewards of truth, passing on spiritual heritage to those who come after us, much like Psalm 78:4 speaks of telling the next generation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 1:1

    ¶ The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

  • 1 Kings 4:32

    And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:9

    And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs.

  • Isaiah 1:1

    ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

  • Proverbs 10:1

    ¶ The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son [is] the heaviness of his mother.

  • Micah 1:1

    ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 36:22

    Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

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