General Introduction to Proverbs

1. The Bible (Primary Source)

• Book of Proverbs – Various translations (e.g., ESV, NIV, NASB, KJV) for comparative study and clarity.
• Supporting Passages:
  • I Kings 3:5-12 – God grants Solomon wisdom.
  • I Kings 4:29-34 – Solomon's vast collection of proverbs and wisdom.
  • II Timothy 3:16 – The inspired nature of Scripture.
  • John 1:1-3; I Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:3 – Christ as the fulfillment of wisdom.

2. Commentaries on Proverbs

• "Proverbs" (The NIV Application Commentary) by Paul Koptak – A detailed commentary connecting Proverbs to contemporary application.
• "Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary" (Tyndale Old Testament Commentary) by Derek Kidner – Insightful explanations of the text with historical and theological context.
• "The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes" by Derek Kidner – A comparative look at Hebrew wisdom literature.

3. Books on Old Testament Wisdom Literature

• "An Introduction to the Old Testament" by Tremper Longman III and Raymond B. Dillard – Provides context on authorship, dating, and historical circumstances.
• "How to Read Proverbs" by Tremper Longman III – A clear, practical guide to understanding the nature and purpose of Proverbs.
• "Old Testament Wisdom: An Introduction" by James L. Crenshaw – A comprehensive overview of Hebrew wisdom literature.

4. Theological and Historical Sources

• "The Message of the Old Testament" by Mark Dever – Discusses how Old Testament books, including Proverbs, connect to New Testament fulfillment in Christ.
• "The Ancient Near East" by James B. Pritchard – A sourcebook that places Proverbs in its broader cultural and historical context alongside Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature.
• "Jewish Wisdom in the Hellenistic Age" by James Kugel – Examines Jewish wisdom traditions and their development over time.

5. Study Bibles for Context and Notes

• The ESV Study Bible – Provides extensive notes on Proverbs, authorship, and its theological significance.
• The NIV Study Bible – Offers insights into the structure and literary techniques of Proverbs.
• The MacArthur Study Bible – Focuses on the biblical, theological, and historical background of Proverbs.

6. Articles and Resources

• "The Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament" (BibleProject) – Visual and narrative tools to understand wisdom books.
• "Proverbs and Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom" – Journal articles examining the parallels and differences between Proverbs and other ancient wisdom texts.

7. Online Resources and Platforms

• BibleGateway (www.biblegateway.com): For comparing Bible translations and cross-referencing verses.
• Blue Letter Bible (www.blueletterbible.org): A tool for studying Hebrew words, biblical commentaries, and verse analysis.
• The Bible Project (www.bibleproject.com): Videos and articles that explore the literary structure and theological themes of Proverbs.