These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just saying a later king found Solomon's proverbs; it highlights that these specific proverbs were copied out by Hezekiah's men. This suggests a deliberate act of preservation and perhaps even a re-collection, indicating these sayings were once scattered or less accessible, and Hezekiah's reign was crucial in consolidating them for future generations.
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks the beginning of a new section in Proverbs, revealing that these sayings were collected and copied by scribes serving King Hezekiah of Judah, long after Solomon's time. This suggests that these proverbs were considered valuable wisdom worth preserving and compiling, likely to instruct and guide people during Hezekiah's reign.
Ever wonder how ancient wisdom survived for centuries? This verse reveals a fascinating 'preservation project' initiated by a faithful king.
Proverbs 25:1 introduces us to a collection of Solomon's wisdom sayings that weren't part of the earlier compiled books. The phrase 'copied out' (or 'transferred') suggests a deliberate act of gathering and recording. King Hezekiah, known for his spiritual reforms and dedication to God's ways, is credited with this effort. In a time when important records could easily be lost or neglected, Hezekiah and his 'men' (likely scribes or wise advisors) took the initiative to preserve these valuable proverbs. This wasn't just about archiving; it was about ensuring that future generations, like Hezekiah's own people, would have access to God's guidance for living wisely.
Think about it: Hezekiah lived about 270 years after Solomon! This means these proverbs had either been passed down orally or existed in separate, uncollected writings for a long time. Hezekiah's actions highlight the importance of actively preserving and transmitting spiritual heritage.
Who decided which proverbs made it into the Bible? This verse touches on how wisdom gained divine backing.
The fact that these proverbs, collected by Hezekiah's men, are presented to us as part of Scripture speaks volumes. While Solomon originally spoke them, their inclusion in the final canon means they are recognized as divinely inspired. Hezekiah and his team weren't just curating a collection of good advice; they were identifying and safeguarding words that carried God's authority. The commentators suggest that by uniting these proverbs with the existing collection, they were given equal standing. This implies a discernment process where human effort (Hezekiah's copying) served to bring divinely authoritative words into a recognized form. It reminds us that the Bible is a collection, assembled over time, with God's guiding hand ensuring His message was preserved accurately and comprehensively.
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Understand the original words
mashal · Hebrew Noun
A short, wise saying or moral instruction, often utilizing parallelism to convey practical truth about living in light of God's wisdom.
This passage highlights Hezekiah's dedication to serving the Lord with his whole heart, mirroring the effort he and his men put into preserving Solomon's wisdom in Proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 12:9Like Hezekiah's men, the author of Ecclesiastes diligently sought and arranged wise sayings, showing a similar commitment to preserving valuable instruction.
Luke 1:1-4Luke's careful investigation and ordering of events before writing his Gospel parallels the work of Hezekiah's men in carefully collecting and copying Solomon's proverbs.
Romans 15:4This verse speaks to the purpose of Scripture being written for our instruction, which aligns with the motivation behind Hezekiah's men preserving these proverbs for future generations.
jfbProverbs 25:1: "These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out."
CHAPTER 25Pr 25:1-28.1. The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see [646]Introduction).also—refers to the former part of the book.copied out—literally, "transferred," that is, from some other book to this; not given from memory.
clarkeProverbs 25:1: "These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out."
These are also proverbs of Solomon - In my old MS. Bible, this verse concludes the preceding chapter. It seems that the remaining part of this book contains proverbs which had been collected by the order of King Hezekiah, and were added to the preceding book as a sort of supplement, having been collected from traditionary sayings of Solomon. And as the men of Hezekiah may mean Isaiah, Shebna…
This verse isn't just saying a later king found Solomon's proverbs; it highlights that these specific proverbs were copied out by Hezekiah's men. This suggests a deliberate act of preservation and perhaps even a re-collection, indicating these sayings were once scattered or less accessible, and Hezekiah's reign was crucial in consolidating them for future generations.
This verse marks the beginning of a new section in Proverbs, revealing that these sayings were collected and copied by scribes serving King Hezekiah of Judah, long after Solomon's time. This suggests that these proverbs were considered valuable wisdom worth preserving and compiling, likely to instruct and guide people during Hezekiah's reign.
This verse marks the beginning of a new section in Proverbs, revealing that these sayings were collected and copied by scribes serving King Hezekiah of Judah, long after Solomon's time. This suggests that these proverbs were considered valuable wisdom worth preserving and compiling, likely to instruct and guide people during Hezekiah's reign.
"These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied." — This verse isn't just saying a later king found Solomon's proverbs; it highlights that these specific proverbs were copied out by Hezekiah's men. This suggests a deliberate act of preservation an…
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Last reviewed October 2026