Proverbs 9:1-6

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Chapter II, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer Version only - 4th cent interpolation)
  • I.17, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Exegetical Fragments, Hippolytus of Rome. (c.225)
  • Exegetical Fragments (another), Hippolytus of Rome. (c.225)
  • Chapter VII, Scorpiace,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • II.XI.3, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • III.LIV, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • Epistle LXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 253)
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "He compares wisdom with great princes who keep open house for all who come."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Maidens - Her servants to invite the guests, ministers of the word whom he calls maidens for the decency of the parable; for wisdom being compared to a great princess, was fit to be attended upon by maidens."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The more a wise man learns, the more he loves wisdom."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Proverbs 9:1-6, Sara Koenig, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "In many ways, the message in this text of Proverbs is quite simple: wisdom is better than foolishness."
  • Proverbs 9:1-6, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series B, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
  • "Simpletons, Fools, and Mockers," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Pornographic Culture," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2002.
  • "On Wisdom," Paul Tillich. From The Eternal Now, 1963.
    • "One speaks of experience, insight, knowledge; and indeed those are related to wisdom and often part of it. But none of them is wisdom itself. Wisdom is greater than these."
  • "Wisdom and Folly," Steven M. Baugh, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
    • "Lady Wisdom was the Evangelist, the Life-Giver and the House-Builder. Who else could this be than Jesus?"
• Articles & Background:
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Clark, Ronald R., Jr., "Schools, Scholars, and Students: The Wisdom School Sitz im Leben and Proverbs," Restoration Quarterly, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fontaine, Carole R., "Proverb Performance in the Hebrew Bible," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fox, Michael V., "Ideas of Wisdom in Proverbs 1-9," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Habel, Norman C., "The Symbolism of Wisdom in Proverbs 1-9," Interpretation, 1972.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Mack, Burton L., "Wisdom Myth and Mytho-logy: An Essay in Understanding a Theological Tradition," Interpretation, 1970.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • McKenzie, Alyce M., "Wisdom as a Resource for Preaching in a Time of War," Journal for Preachers, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • McKinlay, Judith E., "To Eat or Not to Eat: Where Is Wisdom in This Choice?" Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Murphy, Roland E., O.Carm., "Wisdom and Eros in Proverbs 1-9," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Skehan, Patrick W., "The Seven Columns of Wisdom's House in Proverbs 1-9," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1947.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Steinmann, Andrew E., "Proverbs 1-9 as a Solomonic Composition," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Van Leeuwen, Raymond C., "Liminality and Worldview in Proverbs 1-9," Semeia, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Webster, Jane S., "Sophia: Engendering Wisdom in Proverbs, Ben Sira, and the Wisdom of Solomon," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Whybray, R.N., "Some Literary Problems in Proverbs I-IX," Vetus Testamentum, 1966.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Yee, Gale A., "'I Have Perfumed My Bed with Myrrh': The Foreign Woman ('iššâ zārâ) in Proverbs 1-9," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "The Woman Less Listened To," the Rev. Dr. David von Schlichten, Day 1, 2009.
  • "Spiritual Intelligence," Fr. Patrick Brennan, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2000. "Spiritual Intelligence is lived and living spirituality."
  • "Wisdom: A Gift or a Task?" Sr. Joan Chittister, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1996.
• With Children:
  • "Wisdom Has Prepared the Meat and Set Out the Wine," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
  • "Life's Choices: A Play Based on Eight Characters in Proverbs," Robin Gallaher Branch, Society of Biblical Literature Forum, 2006.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
• Hymns and Music:
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• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Proverbs