PROVERBS, BOOK OF

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, many of which were written by Solomon, king of Israel (cf. 1 Kgs. 4:32), and addressed to his son (presumably Rehoboam). The material within the book spans more than 200 years -- at least to the days of Hezekiah (25:1). The proverbs are designed to instruct the young in principles of divine wisdom, such as can assist the godly in living a prudent life in a world saturated with evil. More than 100 times a form of the term "wise" is employed.