THE WAY OF LIFE – Proverbs 6:16-35 – 11-24-2024

Our passage today introduces another unique feature which will resurface later in the book of Proverbs. The ascending numerical device of verse 16 is a feature of Wisdom Literature & Hebrew poetry. The 6 followed by 7 reference is designed to emphasize that the author's point Is strengthened by the frequency of examples, the number of which exceeds his present accounting. One commentary explains the implicit message of this proverb structure is: • ... to invite further appropriate answers. Wisdom literature often lists things together that are perceived to have something in common. Relationships are established in surprising ways, and the process of discerning orderly relationships in the universe increases wisdom: -Other examples of numerical Proverbs include Prov 30:18-31, Amos 1 :3-13, 2:4-5, & Job 5:19. --Proverbs of this type have been called: numerical ladders or instances of numerical heightening.