The Authorship

The first and foremost author of the Book of Proverbs is Solomon:

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;" (1:1).

He probably wrote chapters 1-29. Chapter 30 is attributed to Agur, the son of Jakeh (30:1). Chapter 31 is attributed to King Lemuel - the prophecy or teaching that his mother taught him (31:1).

Purposes of the Book of Proverbs

Proverbs 1:2
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Proverbs 1:3
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

Proverbs 1:4
To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion;

Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Proverbs 1:6
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Note in verse 4 the use of the word, "subtlety". That word comes from the Latin word subtilis, which means "fine", "delicate", according to the American Heritage College Dictionary. Among the meanings given for the word "subtle" we find that it can mean, "Able to make fine distinctions such as a subtle mind." In the Matthew Henry Commentary (pages 763-764), we find that the book of Proverbs will help us:

1. To form right notions of things, and to possess our minds with clear and distinct ideas, that we may know both how to speak and act wisely.

2. To distinguish between truth and falsehood, good and evil - for understanding words of insight.

3. To order our conversation aright.

1. For instruction;
2. For a better grasp of justice, wisdom, judgment, and equity;
3. For "fine tuning" thought quality
4. For knowledge;
5. For developing greater discretion;
6. To increase one's learning;
7. For wise counseling;
8. To understand the proverbs and their interpretations;
9. To understand the words (teachings) and dark sayings of the wise;
10. To hear what God - the Eternal - has to say and about His ways.

To Whom the Book was Written

It is obvious that Solomon, the king of Israel and son of David, was writing to his male descendants and all the young males of Israel as he addresses them in totality as "my son." Such an address can be found in the following references: Proverbs 1:8, 10, 15;  2:1;  3:1, 11, 21;  4:10, 20;  5:1, 20;  6:1, 3, 20;  7:1;  19:27;  23:15, 19, 26;  24:13, 21;  27:11;  31:2.

It is certainly a fitting book for all youth and adults to read and study for spiritual wisdom or insight.

Main Themes of the Book of Proverbs

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• The Commandments or Laws of God
• Sin and Iniquity - The Breaking of God's Law
• Comparisons between God's way and Man's way of life