A Verse Mapping Bible Study on Proverbs
For a review of the format for our Bible study, check out this post!
Week 41: Proverbs 3:31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Scripture Memory
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31
E___ t___ n__ t__ o________, a__ c_____ n___ o_ h__ w___. Proverbs 3:31
Bible Context
Who?
King Solomon
When?
Early in his reign, after 970 B.C.
Why?
To apply God’s wisdom to daily life.
For whom?
Israelites (The Jewish People).
Word Studies
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31
Envy | קָנָא
qānā'
Pronunciation: kaw-naw'
Definition:
- to be jealous of
- to be envious of
- to be zealous for
- to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy
Translations:
- jealous 10x
- envy 9x
- jealousy 5x
- envious 4x
Oppressor (1) | חָמָס
ḥāmās
Pronunciation: khaw-mawce'
Definition:
- violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice
Translations:
- violence 39x
- violent 7x
- cruelty 4x
- oppressor (with אִישׁ|'îš)
Oppressor (2) | אִישׁ
'îš
Pronunciation: eesh
Definition:
- man
- human being, person (in contrast to God)
- mankind
- champion
- great man
Translations:
- man 1,002x
- men 210x
- one 188x
- any 27x
Choose | בָּחַר
bāḥar
Pronunciation: baw-khar'
Definition:
- to choose, elect, decide for
- to be chosen, selected
Translations:
- choose 77x
- chosen 77x
- choose…out 5x
- acceptable 1x
Ways | דֶּרֶךְ
dereḵ
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Definition:
- Road, way, path
- Manner, habit
Translations:
- Way 590x
- Toward 31x
- Journey 23x
- Manner 8x
Paraphrase
[Be jealous] thou not the [violent, injust][person], and [choose] none of his [manner, habit]. Proverbs 3:31
Bible Cross References
Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Psalm 37:7-9
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Galatians 5:21
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Reflections
About God
God is not unjust or an oppressor; as such, He is the one we should strive to emulate.
About Self
Human “power” to control other people is not what I need to be searching after…those behaviors which lead a man to be an oppressor will be harmful to me in the long run.
Questions to Ask Myself
- Are there people who I am trying to emulate that have behaviors and mannerisms against what I should be striving for as a child of God?
- Am I the kind of person someone could look to as a good example of a Christ-follower, or am I leading someone else astray with violent or otherwise sinful behaviors?
