Have I not written for youThis phrase suggests a personal and intentional communication from the author, traditionally understood to be Solomon. It implies a direct relationship between the writer and the reader, emphasizing the importance of the teachings. In the context of ancient Israel, written communication was a significant means of preserving wisdom and instruction, often used by leaders and teachers to guide their people.
thirty sayings
The reference to "thirty sayings" may allude to a structured collection of wisdom, similar to other ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, such as the Egyptian "Instruction of Amenemope," which also contains thirty chapters. This connection highlights the shared cultural practice of compiling wisdom teachings in a systematic way. The number thirty could symbolize completeness or a comprehensive set of teachings.
about counsel and knowledge
Counsel and knowledge are central themes in wisdom literature, emphasizing the importance of guidance and understanding in living a righteous life. In the biblical context, counsel often refers to advice that aligns with God's will, while knowledge implies a deeper understanding of God's laws and principles. These concepts are echoed throughout Proverbs and other wisdom books, such as Ecclesiastes and Job, underscoring their significance in the pursuit of a godly life.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He is believed to have compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and guidance.
2.
The AudienceThe intended recipients of these proverbs are the people of Israel, particularly the young and those seeking wisdom and understanding.
3.
The SettingThe Book of Proverbs is set in ancient Israel, a society that valued wisdom literature as a means of teaching moral and ethical behavior.
Teaching Points
The Value of WisdomProverbs 22:20 emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and knowledge. As believers, we are called to pursue godly wisdom through Scripture and prayer.
The Role of Scripture in GuidanceThe thirty sayings represent a structured approach to imparting wisdom. Similarly, we should approach the Bible as a comprehensive guide for living a life that honors God.
The Importance of Teaching and LearningJust as Solomon wrote these sayings for instruction, we should be committed to teaching and learning from God's Word, passing on wisdom to future generations.
Application of KnowledgeKnowledge without application is incomplete. We must strive to apply the counsel and knowledge from Scripture in our daily lives, making decisions that reflect our faith.
The Continuity of God's WisdomThe wisdom found in Proverbs is timeless and continues to be relevant. We should seek to understand how these ancient truths apply to our modern context.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 22:20?
2.How can Proverbs 22:20 guide our pursuit of wisdom in daily life?
3.What does "excellent sayings" in Proverbs 22:20 suggest about biblical teachings' value?
4.How does Proverbs 22:20 connect with Proverbs 1:5 on gaining wisdom?
5.How can we implement the teachings of Proverbs 22:20 in our communities?
6.What practical steps can we take to internalize Proverbs 22:20's wisdom?
7.What is the historical context of Proverbs 22:20?
8.How does Proverbs 22:20 relate to wisdom literature?
9.What is the theological significance of Proverbs 22:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 22?
11.What does the Bible say about work-life balance?
12.How can I align my resolutions with Christian values?
13.How can a young man purify his path?
14.Throughout Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified. Does this depiction align or conflict with other biblical references to God's attributes (e.g., John 1:1-3)?What Does Proverbs 22:20 Mean
Have I not– The verse opens with a warm but firm rhetorical question. God’s wisdom, expressed through Solomon, gently presses us to remember what is already provided.
– Cross references reinforce this parental tone:
• “My son, do not forget my teaching” (Proverbs 3:1)
• “For I know the plans I have for you” (Jeremiah 29:11)
• “Did I not command you? Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9)
– The question reminds us that neglecting Scripture is never due to God’s silence but our inattentiveness.
written for you– The phrase personalizes the Word. Scripture is not an abstract lecture but a letter addressed to each reader.
– Notice the individual focus inProverbs 22:19, “I teach you today—yes, you.”
– Other places echo this direct address:
• “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction” (Romans 15:4)
• “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16)
– Because it is “for you,” the obligation is to read, treasure, and obey, not merely admire from a distance.
thirty sayings– Solomon signals a deliberate structure—thirty concise lessons that follow (Proverbs 22:17 – 24:22). That orderly number suggests completeness and easy recall.
– Bullet-point benefits of this structure:
• Provides manageable portions for meditation.
• Encourages memorization, paralleling how Jesus later taught in parables (Matthew 13:34).
• Shows that God values clarity; wisdom is not random.
– The idea of numbered wisdom appears elsewhere:
• “He spoke three thousand proverbs” (1 Kings 4:32). God often packages truth in countable form so we can grasp it.
about counsel– These sayings aim to shape how we give and receive guidance.
– Key traits of godly counsel:
• Rooted in fear of the LORD (Proverbs 9:10).
• Sought in community—“Victory is won through many advisers” (Proverbs 11:14).
• Tested against revealed truth—“Your testimonies are my delight and my counselors” (Psalm 119:24).
– Practical takeaway: wise counsel guards us from impulsive choices and aligns us with God’s path.
and knowledge– Wisdom’s companion is accurate understanding of reality as God sees it.
– Scripture links knowledge with obedience:
• “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).
• “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
• Paul prays believers “be filled with the knowledge of His will” (Colossians 1:9–10).
– Genuine knowledge in Proverbs is never cold data; it is truth that transforms character and behavior.
summaryProverbs 22:20 reassures us that God has already provided a carefully crafted treasury of thirty wisdom sayings, personally addressed to us, designed to impart practical counsel and life-shaping knowledge. The verse nudges us to open what is written, listen intently, and let these truths guide every decision.
Verse 20. -
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge? There is a difficulty about the word tendered "excellent things." The Khetib has
שׁלשׁום, "the day before yesterday, formerly;" but the word occurs nowhere alone, and, as Nowack says, can hardly have been the original reading. However, Ewald, Bertheau, and others, adopting it, suppose that the author refers to some earlier work. Cheyne cites Bickell's rendering, "Now, years before now, have I written unto thee long before with counsels and knowledge," and considers the words to mean either that the compiler took a long time over his work, or that this was not the first occasion of his writing. One does not see why stress should be here laid on former instruction, unless, perhaps, as Plumptre suggests, in contrast to "this day" of the previous verse. The LXX. renders the word
τρισσῶς thus, "And do thou record them for thyself triply for counsel and knowledge upon the table of thine heart." St. Jerome has,
Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientiis. Other versions have also given a numerical explanation to the term. In it is seen an allusion to the three supposed works of Solomon - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles - which is absurd; others refer it to the threefold division of the Testament - Law, Prophets, and Hagiographa; others, to three classes of youths for whom the admonitious were intended; others, again, think it equivalent to "oftentimes," or "in many forms." But the reading is as doubtful as the explanations of it are unsatisfactory. The genuine word is doubtless preserved in the Keri, which gives
שָׁלִשִׁים (
shalishim), properly a military term, applied to chariot fighters and men of rank in the army. The LXX. translates the word by
τριστὰτηςe.g.Exodus 14:7;
Exodus 15:4), which is equivalent to "chieftain." Hence the Hebrew term, understood in the neuter gender, is transferred to the chief among proverbs - "choice proverbs," as Delitzsch calls them. The Venetian, by a happy turn, gives
τρισμέγιστα. Thus we come back to the rendering of the Authorized Version as meet correct and intelligible.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Have I notהֲלֹ֤א(hă·lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nowrittenכָתַ֣בְתִּי(ḵā·ṯaḇ·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3789:To grave, to writefor youלְ֭ךָ(lə·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewthirty sayingsשָׁלִישִׁ֑ים(šā·lî·šîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8032:Three days ago, day before, yesterdayabout counselבְּמ֖וֹעֵצֹ֣ת(bə·mō·w·‘ê·ṣōṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4156:Counsel, plan, principle, deviceand knowledge,וָדָֽעַת׃(wā·ḏā·‘aṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847:Knowledge
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent (Prov. Pro Pr) 
