- In Proverbs 23:1, the verb lil’hom usually connotes warfare. How does it come to mean “to eat”? What is the Hebrew word for “bread”?
- What does Proverbs 23:2 imply?
- What is meant by “counterfeit food” in Proverbs 23:3?
- How would you apply Proverbs 23:4-5 to today’s economy?
- Is the first half of Proverbs 23:8 meant to be taken literally?
- Why is there a specific reference to the property of orphans (Proverbs 23:10)?
- How do you react to Proverbs 23:12-14? Is the message addressed to parents, teachers, or both?
- As JPS notes, Proverbs 23:16 literally reads, “My kidneys will rejoice.” What did the ancients attribute to certain internal organs beside their physical functions?
- What is the basic lesson of Proverbs 23:19-21?
- In Proverbs 23:22, what is the point of the reference to a mother’s old age? Why is there no similar reference to the father? How did the ancients relate to the aging of both men and women?
- In Proverbs 23:23, k’neh can mean “acquire” or “buy.” Why does our translation prefer the latter?
- Why does the warning about harlots (Proverbs 23:27-28) immediately follow the statement about parents’ joy?
- How would you characterize Proverbs 23:29-35? Cf. Isaiah 28.
