Read Proverbs 1 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
1:1-7 {p} The fear of YHVH, the beginning of wisdom
1:8-33 {p} Hear wisdom; do not forsake law for lawlessness
Hebrew root word parables from Proverbs 1:
Pro 1:1, The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel.
Proverb Strong’s H4912 mashal, an abstract concept meaning, “similitude, parable, proverb, parallelism;” from H4910 משל mashal, a primitive root meaning, “to rule, to have dominion.”
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
shin ש = two front teeth, thus sharp, press, eat, two, again
lamed ל = shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
The story: Mighty (mem) pressure (shin) or coercion to bring under authority (lamed).
“Learned men have made many attempts to reconcile the significations of making like, and ruling; However I have no doubt but that from the signification of making like, is derived that of judging, forming an opinion.” – Gesenius
Pro 1:2, To know wisdom and instruction, to comprehend the words of understanding,
To Know Strong’s H3045 ידע yada, a primitive root meaning, “to know, to teach.”
yud י = closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
dalet ד = door, thus enter, move, hang
ayin ע = eye, thus watch, know, shade
The story: It is by doing (yud) that we enter into (dalet) knowing or understanding (ayin).
To Comprehend Strong’s H995 בין biyn, a primitive root meaning, “to discern or understand.”
bet ב = house, thus house, household, family, in, within
yud י = closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
nun נ ן = seed, thus continue, heir, son
In the era of the patriarchs, from the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon:
The tent was usually divided into two parts, one for the females and the other for the male[s]. The wall makes a distinction between the two sides.
The story: The house or tent (bet) was closed off (yud) according to the genders determined by the seed (nun). “To comprehend, to understand” is the ability to discern between two things.
Wisdom Strong’s H2451 chokmah, an abstract concept meaning, “wisdom,” from H2449 חכם chakam, a primitive root meaning “to be wise.”
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
kaph כ ך = open palm, thus bend, open, allow, tame
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
The story: To rightly divide (chet) that which benefits (kaph) from that which causes chaos (mem), good from bad, truth from error, friend from foe.
Pro 1:5, That the wise man may hear, and increase learning, and a man of understanding may attain unto wise counsels,
To Hear Strong’s H8085 שמע shama, a primitive root meaning, “to hear, to pay heed.”
shin ש = two front teeth, thus sharp, press, eat, two, again
mem מ ם = the water, thus chaos, mighty, blood
ayin ע = eye, thus watch, know, shade
The story: Breath passes through the front teeth (shin) expelling water (mem) as vapor from the body. When we listen, we breathe intently (shin + mem) as we focus on what is being said so that we can comprehend it (ayin). In the Hebraic worldview, shama, to listen, is an active and not a passive verb. If we hear what is said but do not act on or respond to what is said, then we have not heard at all. Thus shama includes the implication of obedience as Deu 6:4 indicates.
Pro 1:7, The fear of YHVH is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.
Fear Strong’s H3374 yirah, an abstract concept meaning, “reverence,” the feminine of H3373 yare, an adjective meaning, “fearful;” from Strong’s H3372 ירא yara, a primitive root meaning , “to fear.”
yud י = closed hand, thus work, throw, worship
resh ר = head of man, thus head, first, top, beginning, man
aleph א = ox head, thus strength, power, leader
The story: The man fears what he worships (yud) over himself (resh) as the greater (aleph).
Many more Hebrew Root Word Parables can be found in the Hebrew Roots Index.
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