To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Parallel translations
- WEB to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.
- BSB by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
- NKJV To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.
- NASB To understand a proverb and a saying, The words of the wise and their riddles.
- NLT by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Proverbs also trains us to interpret proverbs, parables, and riddles of the wise. It matters because wisdom includes the skill to understand deeper, layered truth.
Overview
This completes the purpose statement (vv. 2-6): wisdom equips us to grasp compressed, sometimes enigmatic sayings that require reflection. Such interpretive skill anticipates Jesus' own teaching in parables, which reveal truth to the seeking and conceal it from the hard-hearted (Matt. 13:11-13).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ps 78:2I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
- Mark 4:11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
- Ps 49:4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
- Acts 8:30–31And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
- Heb 5:14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
- Mark 4:34But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
- Matt 13:10–17And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
- Eccl 12:11The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
- Matt 13:34–35All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
- 2 Pet 3:16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
- Matt 13:51–52Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
- Num 12:8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 1:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.