The Purpose of the Book 1:2-7

1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

This section lists the purposes behind the book of Proverbs. EBCOT lists two general purposes stated in verse 2: moral skillfulness and mental discernment. Moral skillfulness is seen in vv. 3-4, whereas mental discernment in v. 6. Wisdom is hokmah is the skill of living as it uses knowledge in a practical and successful manner. “The one who lives skillfully produces things of lasting value to God and to the community (EBCOT).” Proverbs seeks to correct errant behaviour through instruction which is discipline, correction and chastening. Instruction refers to “training of the moral nature, involving the correcting of waywardness toward folly and the development of reverence to the Lord and personal integrity (EBCOT).”

Mental discernment is seen in “words of understanding,” which speaks of weighing and evaluating and choosing between options. As Lane points out, this is teaching the child to discern as opposed to mere blind obedience (15). “Proverbs will train people to discern lessons about life, such as distinguishing permanent values from immediate gratifications (EBCOT).”

Successful living is dependant upon knowing how to make good moral and mental choices: knowing how to live, how to take correction and developing a spirit of discernment.

Verse 3 describes mental discernment. The reader will acquire “instruction of wisdom” which is discipline producing prudent living or discipline in acting circumspectly (EBCOT). NASB states it as “instruction in wise behavior.” The prudent acts are manifested in three ways “justice,” and “judgment,” and “equity.” The first term means "rightness" or "righteousness," or “conformity to a standard (EBCOT).  “Judgment” refers to justice either in judicial-like decisions or decisions which are fitting and proper. "Equity" describes that which is pleasing: “the book will instruct a life style that is equitable, one that incorporates the most pleasing aspects” (EBCOT).

Verse 4 restates the first purpose (moral skillfulness) from the perspective of the teacher. The teacher wants to “give subtilty to the simple” and “to the young man knowledge and discretion.” “Subtilty” is a reference to shrewdness which is the ability to foresee evil and prepare for it (EBCOT).

This shrewdness is to be given to the simple person, one who is gullible, easily enticed and easily trapped. As Kidner points out the “fool” meets us in various forms in the book of Proverbs. Here the fool is called a simple one: “the simple…is no half wit; he is a person whose instability could be rectified, but who prefers not to accept discipline in the school of wisdom…(39).

Verse 4 has a second phrase which is parallel to the first. It describes the simple as a young man. To this young man, the teacher wants to give “knowledge and discretion.” A prudent lifestyle is described as knowledge and discretion which refers to “the perceptive ability to make workable plans.” This knowledge is something that transforms a green youth into a mature adult.

Verse makes an exhortation to the wise. It is obvious that a wise person does not know everything, but a wise person is one who is open to learning wisdom – they will hear and increase. Parallel to this is the man of understanding who attains wise counsels: “The term may be illustrated [by the] the rope-pulling done by sailors to steer or guide a ship…[wise counsel is] the discernment to steer a right course through life… (EBCOT).

The second purpose (mental discernment) is stated in verse 6: “to understand.” This understanding will be administered via 3 methods: a proverb, a parable (“interpretation”), and a riddle (“dark sayings”). A proverb is a description via a comparison. One part of the proverb is understood in comparing it to the other part – the parts cannot be isolated but must be taken in complete units. The parable can refer to a “satire, a mocking-poem, or an alluding saying” (EBCOT). The riddle “may refer to what is obscure or indirect” (EBCOT). It is obvious from these categories that the teachings of Proverbs are not easily obtained. They require thoughtfulness and meditation on the part of the student.