Proverbs, Book of. [E] The title of this book in Hebrew is taken
from its first word, mashal , which originally meant "a
comparison." It is sometimes translated parable, sometimes
proverb as here. The superscriptions which are affixed to
several portions of the book, in chs. ( Proverbs 1:1 ; 10:1 ;
25:1 ) attribute the authorship of those portions to Solomon the
son of David, king of Israel. With the exception of the last two
chapters, which are distinctly assigned to other author it is
probable that the statement of the superscriptions is in the
main correct, and that the majority of the proverbs contained in
the book were uttered or collected by Solomon. Speaking roughly,
the book consists of three main divisions, with two
appendices:-- [E] indicates this entry was also found in
Easton's Bible Dictionary - Chs. 1-9 form a connected didactic
Wisdom is praised and the youth exhorted to devote himself to
her. This portion is preceded by an introduction and title
describing the character and general aim of the