Proverbs 4 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

Live wisely and do what is right * Wisdom will benefit you ([4:1–9](../04/01.md)) * Behave wisely and avoid those who do not ([4:10–19](../04/10.md)) * Live righteously ([4:20–27](../04/20.md))

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](../04/06.md), 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.