Proverbs 11:23-27, A Chiasm about Generosity

A 23. The desire of righteous ones (is) only good,B And the expectation of wicked ones (is) wrath.C 24. There is one who disperses and still increases,D And one who withholds more than is upright, surely to poverty.C 25. A soul of blessing will be made fat,C’ And one who gives drink, he also will…

Proverbs 30 – A Chiasm?

The title ends with a question mark because there are some parts of the "chiasm" that do not seem to have much in common. But other features point to the familiar symmetrical pairing of passages around a central point. I've shown the structure of the chiasm below, but some comments are in order. The number…

Proverbs 16:28 to 17:9: Another Chiasm

In their commentary on Proverbs, Bruce K. Waltke and Ivan D. V. De Silva, note that Proverbs 16:31–17:6 form an inclusio (or envelope structure) beginning and ending with descriptions of the glories of old age. I think we may extend that inclusio into a chiasm by including all of 16:28–17:9. A 16:28 A man of…

Proverbs 23:15 to 24:22: A Chiasm about Envy

Proverbs 22:17 to 24:22 comprises the third section of the Book of Proverbs. Section 1 (chapters 1–9) consists of a series of discourses which Solomon made to his son. Section 2 (10:1–22:16) bears the title “The Proverbs of Solomon” (10:1). The third section contains sayings of the wise (22:17). Some think that these were also…