Bible Discussion Thread

As a woman, I'm having a very difficult time relating to Proverbs as it is very often addressing a male reader. I know if I take away any wording and insert my own, I'm being disobedient to the LORD JESUS' precious Word. For example, when it says "my son", how am I to relate to that teaching when it's speaking to a male when I'm not allowed to insert "my child" or" my daughter"?

all scripture is beneficial

Hi Loraine:

I have read the other comments and they are very good. In your studying you might want to use the bible tool biblehub(dot)org. It has a bit of a learning curve but once you understand it it can be a help with understanding the original Hebrew and Greek words. Just find the verse you are reading and when it comes up go to Strong's or stg and then down on the right side to the verse at the King James Bible link and choose the particular word you want to understand. It will take you to Strong's definitions and can be a big help. I'm sure, if you want to do this, that you will understand better once you try it. There is much more to this website so please don't give up as you learn it.

This is my opinion, but I'd like to caution you to not use any modern versions of the bible in your studies. No bible claims, and rightly so, that it was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit except the KJV. So why go to a version written by men? The language may be more modern but even in that they have erred. I'm not saying you use these corrupt versions, but just in case I wanted to warn you against them.

God Bless :)

I can assure you God loves, honors, uses for his glory, guides, counsels, protects, comforts, etc. a woman as much as he does a man. As a woman, when I read Proverbs, I know it applies to me. I can see examples in other places in the Bible where "man" is written but mankind is the meaning. Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman.

Hi Lorraine. You are correct, that Proverbs generally speaks to a male, whether Solomon's son or to a student generally. As well, in Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 5:7, Proverbs 7:24, and Proverbs 8:32, we see Solomon addressing children. So bringing these together, we could safely accept that the wisdom for living that Solomon (& others) expressed in this Book, is directed to all people, even though the masculine gender is generally referred to & also to young people. And bearing in mind, that females usually did not have the same opportunities & liberties as males in that era (& even now in some countries), we can understand why Solomon focussed his teaching to a male, & to children (young ones).

So, like any other teaching in the Bible, we should take hold of the Truths therein & seek the Spirit's help to apply them to our lives, rather than being overly concerned about the person being addressed. An example in the NT: Jesus spoke to many people such as His disciples, the public that thronged Him, & even to the hypocritical religious leaders. If Jesus checked Martha preparing the meal or the Pharisee who falsely accused Him, both men & women today can still take away lessons from these & any other account, even if someone else is being addressed in the Bible.

Firstly , here are some scriptures that might help you : Galatians chapter 3 verses 26-28 .

Proverbs chapter 1 verse 20 , do you understand metaphor ? If not , look it up and try to understand it . Proverbs is poetry , poetry uses a lot of metaphor . Proverbs chapter 4 verses 5-9 . For the sake of poetry , many things that are neither male or female , are referred to as such . Had it occured to you that the son could be referring to Jesus , the Son of God ?

The Bible is full of metaphor , there's plenty of literalism in there too . Sometime things in the Bible can be literal and metaphorical at the same time . The more you read it the more familiar you will become with these concepts . Yes , it can be confusing at first , but don't let that put you off .