Questions to ask when studying proverbs
This Viewpoint blog post is a companion to the May 12 episode of the Theologically Speaking podcast featuring BJU Seminary Professor Layton Talbert and hosted by Dr. Ken Casillas. Dr. Talbert’s recently presented this paper at the Seminary’s Spring Theological Research Symposium.
Takeaways:
- Separating absolute truths from passages admitting to real-life exceptions is a challenge that has daunted even the most scholarly interpreters.
- Dealing with exceptions starts with understanding the differing literary forms in the book, and understanding that aphoristic proverbs work differently than biblical promises, even as their general principles are useful to recognizing how God wants us to live.
- Other forms of proverbs are less problematic: observational proverbs are generally not presented in a way where exceptions become an issue, and admonitions are by their very nature not subject to exceptions.
- Affirmation proverbs that describe an aspect of the nature or character of an unchanging God are of necessity absolutes.
- These principles yield five questions that can offer an aid to pastors and church leaders in helping their flocks observe Proverbs’ timeless truths.
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In interpreting the book of Proverbs, a major issue that arises is separating absolute truths from passages that admit to exceptions. As Bruce Waltke, author of one of the more thorough works on the book, has asserted, Proverbs’ “heavenly promises of life, health, prosperity, and honor seem detached from earth’s harsh realities.”
Everyone knows, or knows of, evil men who don’t seem ensnared in their transgression and suffering consequences, and righteous men who endure tremendous trials (Proverbs 29:6), or of children disciplined faithfully and lovingly by God-honoring parents who don’t end up being particularly wise (Proverbs 29:15).
Proverbs 10:27 asserts that “the fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.” Yet godly Christian leaders such as Robert Murray M’Cheyne and David Brainerd both died at the age of 29, while Manasseh, Judah’s most wicked King, was also its longest-reigning.
Proverbs Work Differently Than Promises
Dealing with these exceptions begins with the recognition that while the entire book is inspired by God, as discussed in the previous Viewpoint, one must apply the hermeneutical principle of distinguishing the differing forms within wisdom literature both in general and within Proverbs. Chapters 1-9 and 30-31 are considered “reflective literature:” more extensive, prosaic discourses exploring life in a fallen world and humankind’s relationship to God.
The remainder of the book consists of aphorisms, actual proverbs. And proverbs as a literary form, by definition, work differently than “promises,” the term Dr. Waltke used.
We are used to non-biblical proverbs consisting of general principles that admit to exceptions. We agree with the principle that “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,” while understanding that other factors come into play in determining well-being and sagacity. “I before E, except after C” actually includes one exception (along with others in its more extensive form), but is still a generally useful guide for spelling.
The existence of exceptions does not make the aphoristic proverbs less valuable in understanding how God wants us to live: the real-life exceptions to Proverbs 22:6 (“train up a child), for example, do not negate the fundamental importance and long-term value of pedagogy.
Distinguishing Observational Proverbs and Admonitions
Moreover, only a small minority of proverbs are in a form where exceptions are even a feasible consideration. Many are observational, some in the form of similes such as 25:13-14, 16.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
is a faithful messenger to those who sent him.
He refreshes the soul of his of his masters,
Like clouds and wind without rain,
is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely…
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
The content of such descriptive observations and advice simply isn’t presented in a way where exceptions even become an issue.
Some 4% of the aphoristic proverbs (and much more of the content of the reflective sections) are in the form of admonitions. These directives can be negative (prohibitions) or positive (commands), such as:
Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge. (14:7)
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established. (16:3)
Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty;
open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread. (20:13)
Affirmation Proverbs: No Exceptions in Describing an Unchanging God
Finally, we come to affirmation proverbs that describe an aspect of the nature or character of an unchanging God, where exceptions are impossible to countenance. For example:
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. (15:3)
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness. (15:8-9)
This reality goes back to the fact that the “small-p” proverbs in the book are reflective of a particular worldview, in this case, a biblical worldview. A central component of the covenantal worldview that shaped the culture from which Israelite proverbs emerged, is the immutability of their covenant God, Yahweh. Accordingly, proverbs that venture onto the holy ground of the unchanging person, character and nature of Yahweh will of necessity be absolutes.
These prohibitions and commands are by their very nature not subject to exceptions.
Five Helpful Questions for Pastors
Applying these principles yields five questions that will aid in determining whether exceptions can attach to a given proverb:
- Is it located in the reflective wisdom section (1–9, 30–31) or the proverbial wisdom section (10–29)? The former is less likely to admit exceptions, the latter more likely.
- Is it a theological statement regarding the character of the unchanging God? Exceptions cannot by definition apply.
- Is it a generally operable principle within a biblical worldview that may be subject to the providences of God? Exceptions can be expected.
- Is it a sagacious observation, a pedagogical principle, a word of advice, a qualitative analysis, or an illustrative comparison? Such sayings circumvent exceptions.
- Is it a direct command or prohibition? Again, exceptions are circumvented.
Just as with any other Scripture, handling the Word of Truth accurately requires wisdom, which means careful adherence to hermeneutical principles. Hopefully, this attempt at a biblically and theologically robust solution to the challenge of exceptions and absolutes in the book of Proverbs will help pastors and church leaders in helping their congregations observe its timeless truths.
Resource:
Layton Talbert, “A Proverb in the Hand Is Worth Two in the Bush: A Hermeneutical Proposal for Handling Biblical Proverbs”, full paper as presented at BJU Seminary’s Theological Research Symposium April 22, 2025.
