What are some distinctive features of this book? It is unknown when the book reached its final form. Also, some proverbs were added after Solomon’s time: chapters 25–29 were added in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah (see Proverbs 25:1). It is likely that many of the proverbs came from oral traditions that existed before Solomon’s time. We do not know exactly when or where the book of Proverbs was written, but the initial compilation of Proverbs is traditionally thought to have taken place during the reign of King Solomon in Jerusalem, between 1015 and 975 B.C.
Some of its content is deeply spiritual, while some “does not rise above the plane of worldly wisdom, but throughout it is taken for granted that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ ( 1:7 9:10)” (Bible Dictionary, “Proverbs, book of”). However, while Solomon is considered an author of many of the proverbs, it is best to think of the book of Proverbs as a library of the wisdom of the Israelites. Some of the book of Proverbs is attributed to “Solomon the son of David, the king of Israel” (see Proverbs 1:1 10:1 25:1 see also 1 Kings 4:32 Guide to the Scriptures, “Proverb-the book of Proverbs” ). As students study this book, they can learn wisdom that will help them draw closer to the Lord.
Although the book was written in ancient Israel, its messages remain applicable in the modern world.
The book of Proverbs contains many brief but wise statements about how to live a godly life.