Proverbs 4 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Live wisely and do what is right

• Wisdom will benefit you (4:1–9)
• Behave wisely and avoid those who do not (4:10–19)
• Live righteously (4:20–27)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

My son

Occasionally, Solomon addresses a series of proverbs to “my son” or “sons.” This does not mean that those proverbs only apply to males. Instead, these phrases are forms used to pass on advice from a father to his son, and the kind of advice in these proverbs is about common temptations of young men.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Personification

In 4:6–9, Solomon speaks of wisdom as if it were a person, specifically, as if it were a woman. See the discussion of this issue in the book introduction.