Proverbs Seed Catalogue of the Bible III

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VII. Salvation History Time Period, review 12 periods, like the Apostles, recalling

 12 Time Periods With Corresponding Books

  1. The Early World: Turquoise (color of earth seen from space) Gen 1-11
  2. Patriarchs: Burgundy (God’s blood covenant with Abraham) Gen 12-50
  3. Egypt & Exodus: Red (the Red Sea) Exodus
  4. Desert Wanderings: Tan (the color of the desert) Numbers
  5. Conquest & Judges: Green (the green hills of Canaan) Joshua, Judges
  6. Royal Kingdom: Purple (royalty) & I & II Samuel, I Kings
  7. Divided Kingdom: Black (Israel’s darkening period) I – II Kings
  8. Exile: Baby Blue (Judah singing the blues in Baby-lon) II Kings
  9. Return: Yellow (Judah returning home to brighter days) Ezra & Nehemiah
  10. Maccabean Revolt: Orange (fire in the oil lamps in the purified Temple) I Maccabees
  11. Messianic Fulfillment: Gold (gifts of the Magi) [Christ the King] Luke
  12. The Church: White (the spotless Bride of Christ) [baptismal stole, Easter candle are white] Acts

VIII. Time Frame of Proverbs During the Royal Kingdom placed here even though its composition spans much longer time frame as they are in Solomon’s tradition.

  1. Proverbs = (Hebrew mashal; Greek parabole or paroimia) in biblical literature is any compressed instructive statement employing artistic language. Although proverbs are often expressed in pithy two line sentences, they can also include longer discourses such as oracles, riddles, and instructive parables. Jesus was known for teaching in figures. Many teachers and prophets in ancient Israel considered proverbs the preferred method of instruction.[1]

 Proverbs are still quite popular. [John of the Cross and Brother Lawrence have as part of their body of work, short pity statements.]

  1. Authorship varies depending on the chapter as the work will clearly state. Some parts to Solomon, others to anonymous sages known as the wise, and even two Gentiles Agur and King Lemuel.[2] Similar to Psalms, not all written by David.
  2. Thesis statement, restate opening remarks, follow the commandments, live will be better, joy full. Proverbs short sayings for leading a prudent and virtuous life.
  3. Outline of Proverbs, one suggestion

Explicit Introductions found in the Hebrew text

  1. Proverbs of Solomon I: Ten Discourses to His “Son” (Prov 1-9)
  2. Proverbs of Solomon 2: Couplets (Prov 10:1-22:16)

III. Words of the Wise 1: Counsel and Knowledge (Prov 22:17-24:22)

  1. The Proverbs of Solomon 3: More Couplets (prov 25-29)
  2. The Words of Agur (Prov 30)

VII. The Words of Lemuel (Prov 31)

Another possibility from study of structural analysis, with this structure spousal imagery, marital fidelity, and the Nobel Woman.

Prologue: Solomon’s Discourses to His son (Prov 1-9) note strong connection to Epilogue

  1. Proverbs of Solomon I (Prov 10:1 – 22:16)
  2. Words of the Wise 1 (Prov 22:17-24:22)

III. Words of the Wise 2 (Prov 24:23- 34)

  1. Proverbs of Solomon 2 (Prov 25-29)
  2. Words of Agur (Prov 30:1-14)
  3. Numerical Proverbs (Prov 30:15-33)

VII. Words of Lemuel (Prov 31:1-9)[3]

Epilogue: The Song of the Noble Woman (Prover 31:10-31) cf Ruth, Bride (Soul) in Song of Solomon

[1] John Bergsma & Brant Pitre A Catholic Introduction to the Bible, The Old Testament (Ignatius: San Francisco 2018) 597

[2] Bergsma & Pitre 606-607

[3] Bergsma & Pitre 598

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