The book of Proverbs is ancient Egyptian/Kemetic in origin. See the following: Wisdom of Ptahhotep, the New English Bible Oxford Study Edition preview of Proverbs (this also contains your structure of the book of Proverbs), Wisdom is referred to a woman is the ancient Egyptian Goddess Maat (wisdom, justice, truth), The marriage of Solomon to a princess of Egypt ( this was before wives turn him to idolatry) exposed the wisest man to the wisest wisdom on earth, and Egypt ruled Canaan countries and city kingdoms under proxies chosen by them, educated by them, and sent by them to rule Canaan (see David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, etc. until the end of the 25th Dynasty).
Proverbs ignores religious themes and stories. It is a book of worldly wisdom. However, all prudence, wisdom, justice, truth and knowledge comes from God. Wisdom is viewed as divinely inspired in the human experience entrusted to teachers, preachers, fathers, mothers, and royal counselors to teach the young, guide the mature, and be vetted by the elders in a continuous cycle.
Go to the link below for detailed content and structure of Proverbs:
Wisdom is the successful implementation of acquired knowledge and experiences to achieve a desired outcome - 7/21/2002
Godly wisdom is the successful implementation of acquired knowledge and experiences to achieve a desired outcome for a divine purpose. – Jesus is the word or logos. Logos means to express one's intelligence. Jesus is the the expressed intelligence of God. 1Co 1:30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"- 7-21-2002
Wise Person/Person with Wisdom – Correctly applies acquired knowledge and experiences that results are positive giving a successful, happy and prosperous life. - 7-21-2002
The Book of Proverbs in the Bible is a collection of wise sayings and instructions attributed primarily to Solomon. It aims to provide practical wisdom for living a righteous and meaningful life. The main themes and structure of Proverbs can be summarized as follows:
Main Themes
Wisdom and Folly:
Wisdom: The book emphasizes the importance of wisdom, often personified as a woman calling out to people to follow her. Wisdom is depicted as the path to a successful and righteous life.
Folly: In contrast, folly is portrayed as the opposite of wisdom, leading to ruin and shame. The book warns against foolish behaviors and choices.
Righteousness and Wickedness:
Righteousness: Proverbs advocates for living a righteous life characterized by integrity, honesty, and moral uprightness.
Wickedness: The book warns against wickedness, including dishonesty, pride, and other immoral behaviors, outlining the negative consequences of such a life.
The Fear of the Lord:
This theme is foundational in Proverbs, where the fear of the Lord is described as the beginning of wisdom. Reverence for God and adherence to His commandments are seen as essential for gaining true wisdom.
Discipline and Instruction:
Proverbs highlights the value of discipline and the need for accepting correction and instruction. It encourages a teachable spirit and the willingness to learn from others.
Work and Laziness:
The book contrasts diligent, hardworking individuals with lazy people, promoting the benefits of hard work and the pitfalls of laziness.
Speech and Words:
There is significant emphasis on the power of words, advocating for thoughtful, kind, and truthful speech while warning against gossip, lies, and harsh words.
Relationships:
Proverbs provides guidance on various relationships, including friendships, marriage, and parent-child relationships, stressing the importance of loyalty, love, and proper conduct.
Structure
Introduction (Chapters 1–9):
These chapters are a series of discourses on the value of wisdom and the dangers of folly. They include personifications of wisdom and folly and are designed to persuade the reader to choose the path of wisdom.
Proverbs of Solomon (Chapters 10–22:16):
This section consists of individual proverbs or short sayings that provide practical advice on various aspects of life. The sayings are often presented in a parallel structure, contrasting the wise with the foolish, the righteous with the wicked.
Sayings of the Wise (Chapters 22:17–24:22):
This section includes further sayings and instructions from a group known as "the wise." These proverbs continue the themes of wisdom, righteousness, and proper conduct.
Further Sayings of the Wise (Chapter 24:23–34):
Additional wise sayings are provided in this brief section, emphasizing justice, fairness, and diligence.
Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah’s Men (Chapters 25–29):
This section contains more of Solomon's proverbs, collected during the reign of King Hezekiah. These proverbs address themes of leadership, self-control, and social relationships.
Sayings of Agur (Chapter 30):
The words of Agur son of Jakeh provide a humble reflection on human limitations and the greatness of God, along with a series of numerical proverbs.
Sayings of King Lemuel (Chapter 31:1–9):
This section includes the advice King Lemuel received from his mother, focusing on righteous leadership and warnings against indulgence and injustice.
The Virtuous Woman (Chapter 31:10–31):
The final chapter concludes with an acrostic poem praising the virtues of a noble wife, highlighting her industriousness, wisdom, and fear of the Lord.
Overall, the Book of Proverbs offers timeless wisdom and guidance, emphasizing the importance of living a life rooted in reverence for God, moral integrity, and practical prudence.
Ezekiel's overview is excellent. Because the Book of Proverbs (BoP) seems, at first sight, to be a listing of aphorisms, it is helpful to be reminded of its literary structure. Here is an overview:
a two-part introduction (1:1-7; 1:8-9:18)
b Solomon's proverbs - first collection (10:1-22:16)
c Words of the wise (22:17-24:34)
b' Solomon's proverbs - second collection (25:1-29:27)
a' two-part conclusion (30:1-33; 31:1-31)
May I recommend an excellent resource to help you with the way in which OT books are carefully structured, in order to aid comprehension? Here it is:
David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament, A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1999 & 2004).
Dorsey's treatment goes into much more detail of the literary structure, so I recommend you get your hands on a copy. It is so important for the BoP as it provides a visual key to how the text works.