Proverbs 25:1 kjv
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Proverbs 25:1 nkjv
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
Proverbs 25:1 niv
These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
Proverbs 25:1 esv
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
Proverbs 25:1 nlt
These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
Proverbs 25 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:1 | The proverbs of Solomon, son of David... | Establishes Solomon as the primary author. |
| 1 Ki 4:32 | He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. | Attests to the vastness of Solomon's wisdom. |
| Eccl 12:9-10 | The Preacher...pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. | Indicates the careful compilation of wisdom. |
| 2 Ki 18:5-6 | Hezekiah trusted in the Lord...kept His commandments... | Highlights King Hezekiah's personal piety and faithfulness. |
| 2 Chr 29:3-4 | In the first year of his reign...Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. | Shows Hezekiah's zeal for God and worship. |
| 2 Chr 31:20-21 | Hezekiah did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. | Praises Hezekiah's upright conduct and diligence. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | And when he is seated on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself...a copy of this law... | God's instruction for kings to diligently preserve and learn His Word. |
| Prov 22:17 | Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge. | Signals another collection of wise sayings, showing value of varied sources. |
| Neh 8:8 | They read from the Book of the Law of God clearly...giving the sense, so that the people understood the reading. | Demonstrates the importance of publicly reading and interpreting God's word. |
| Rom 15:4 | For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. | Highlights the timeless relevance and instructive purpose of ancient scriptures. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness... | Emphasizes the divine inspiration and comprehensive utility of all Scripture. |
| John 5:39 | You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me. | Underscores the critical importance of searching the Scriptures for divine truth. |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just...think about these things. | Encourages a focus on virtuous and wise principles, consistent with Proverbs' themes. |
| Titus 1:9 | He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. | Reinforces the need for spiritual leaders to preserve and teach sound doctrine. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword... | Affirms the dynamic power and efficacy of God's Word through all ages. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | Depicts Scripture as a guiding source for life's journey. |
| 2 Pet 1:20-21 | ...no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation...but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. | Emphasizes the divine origin and controlled transmission of prophetic Scripture. |
| Acts 17:11 | Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. | Commends diligent, daily examination of God's Word for verification and understanding. |
| Prov 4:1 | Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight... | Shows the principle of transmitting wisdom from one generation to the next. |
| Ps 78:4 | We will not conceal them from our children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord... | Expresses the responsibility to hand down God's works and wisdom to descendants. |
| Mt 5:17-18 | Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets...until all is accomplished. | Christ's affirmation of the enduring validity and truth of the Old Testament. |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction... | Illustrates that historical biblical accounts are preserved for our learning. |
Proverbs 25 verses
Proverbs 25 1 Meaning
Proverbs 25:1 introduces a new collection of King Solomon's wise sayings, carefully compiled and organized under the patronage of King Hezekiah of Judah. This verse establishes the authority and provenance of the ensuing proverbs, emphasizing their Solomonic origin and their preservation through a later righteous king's initiative. It signifies a continuation of divinely inspired wisdom being curated and disseminated for the benefit of God's people.
Proverbs 25 1 Context
Proverbs 25:1 begins a new distinct section within the book of Proverbs (chapters 25-29), often referred to as "the second Solomonic collection." This opening verse acts as a superscription for this segment, analogous to the opening of the book itself in Proverbs 1:1. Historically, this collection dates back to the reign of King Hezekiah, who ruled Judah approximately two centuries after Solomon.
The cultural context includes a flourishing wisdom tradition in ancient Near Eastern courts, where kings often sponsored the collection, compilation, and preservation of important texts, including moral and instructional wisdom. Hezekiah's decision to "copy out" these proverbs highlights his character as a righteous king who championed a return to the worship of the Lord and adherence to divine law and wisdom. This act of preservation by a godly king in Judah's later monarchy stands in stark contrast to the widespread idolatry and moral decline of surrounding nations and even within Judah at other times. It underscores the unique value and divine authority of Israelite wisdom, which emanated from God through His chosen vessels, implicitly standing as a polemic against the often humanistic or pagan wisdom traditions of other cultures.
Proverbs 25 1 Word analysis
- These also: Marks the beginning of a new distinct collection within the larger Book of Proverbs. It signifies that what follows is an additional compilation of wisdom, separate from previously presented Solomonic proverbs (e.g., chapters 10-24), potentially sourced or compiled differently.
- are proverbs: Hebrew mishlei (מִשְׁלֵי), the plural of mashal. It denotes not merely short sayings but includes maxims, allegories, comparisons, or deep truths. These are expressions of practical wisdom intended to guide moral and prudent living, often rooted in divine principles.
- of Solomon: Hebrew Shelomo (שְׁלֹמֹה). Attributes the origin or core content of these sayings to King Solomon. Solomon's unparalleled wisdom was a gift from God (1 Ki 4:29-31), making his proverbs highly authoritative and divinely inspired. This reinforces the enduring value of his contribution to wisdom literature.
- which the men: Refers to a group of individuals, likely court scribes, scholars, or wise advisors. This indicates a deliberate, organized effort, not an accidental finding. It highlights the structured way ancient texts, especially sacred and royal documents, were managed.
- of Hezekiah king of Judah: Hebrew Chizqiyahu (חִזְקִיָּהוּ). Refers to the righteous king who reigned over the southern kingdom of Judah in the late 8th century BC. His patronage means this collection received royal endorsement and was recognized as invaluable. His association authenticates and legitimizes the preservation and distribution of these proverbs, reflecting his commitment to restoring godly truth.
- copied out: Hebrew he'atiku (הֶעְתִּיקוּ). A Hiphil verb indicating an active and deliberate process. It means to transcribe, translate, transfer, or compile. This suggests a careful editorial process of selecting, arranging, and reproducing existing Solomonic proverbs, likely from older sources or oral traditions, for contemporary and future generations. It implies a considered judgment of their worth and relevance.
Words-group analysis
- "These also are proverbs of Solomon": This phrase functions as a header, clearly identifying the content as Solomonic in origin while indicating its place as a new, additional collection within the larger work. It points to the divine source of the wisdom and its authoritative nature.
- "which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out": This provides critical historical context and transmission lineage. It reveals that King Hezekiah, a notable reformer and devout monarch, took personal initiative or commissioned his wise men to retrieve, verify, and transcribe these particular proverbs. This act highlights the high value placed on wisdom and righteous instruction during his reign, indicating a deliberate effort to preserve and disseminate vital divine truths for the education and moral guidance of his people.
Proverbs 25 1 Bonus section
The mention of "the men of Hezekiah" participating in the compilation of God's Word underscores the historical process of canon formation and the role of human scribes and scholars working under divine providence. While the origin of the proverbs is divine (through Solomon's Spirit-given wisdom), their arrangement and preservation often involved human agency. This demonstrates that God works through His people, including kings and their learned staff, to ensure His word is carefully passed down. This collection also specifically enriches the overall body of Proverbs with sections unique to a king (like topics about royalty in 25:2-7) and more focused themes relevant to societal and governmental conduct. It highlights that the entire collection of Proverbs is a treasury of wisdom built upon and transmitted across different eras of Israelite history, emphasizing its enduring, rather than time-bound, relevance.
Proverbs 25 1 Commentary
Proverbs 25:1 acts as a crucial gatepost for a significant section of the Book of Proverbs, informing us of its authorship and unique provenance. The phrase "These also are proverbs of Solomon" re-affirms that King Solomon, divinely endowed with immense wisdom, is the source of the ensuing wise sayings, ensuring their foundational authority. His extensive body of wisdom served as the wellspring from which later generations could draw profound truths about God, humanity, and wise living.
The verse then introduces "the men of Hezekiah king of Judah" as the diligent agents responsible for "copying out" this specific collection. This historical note is profound. King Hezekiah, reigning centuries after Solomon, was known for his faithfulness and comprehensive spiritual reforms. His initiative in collecting and preserving Solomonic proverbs demonstrates a leadership committed to restoring and promoting the fear of the Lord and practical godliness within his kingdom. The phrase "copied out" suggests more than mere transcription; it implies careful selection, arrangement, and authentication of these ancient truths for contemporary application. This collection reflects the belief that God's wisdom, conveyed through Solomon, held timeless relevance for every generation. The efforts of "the men of Hezekiah" underscore the human responsibility to steward and transmit divine revelation, ensuring its accessibility and impact.
In essence, Proverbs 25:1 highlights the continuous stream of divine wisdom flowing from God through inspired authors like Solomon, meticulously preserved and transmitted by godly leaders and scribes, like Hezekiah's men, for the instruction and benefit of God's people throughout history.