Proverbs 22:20

“Have not I written to thee excellent things, etc.] In the Scriptures. Some render it, “three things”f606; and think that Solomon refers to the three divisions of the Scriptures among the Jews, the law, the prophets, and holy writings; so Jarchi; but some of those writings then were not: or to the three books wrote by him; the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Others render it, “in a threefold way”f607, as the Targum and several versions; that is, in various ways, in different forms and styles, in order the better to inform and instruct. But it is best, with Kimchi, Gersom, and Ben Melech, to render it, “excellent things”, as we do; such are the truths of the Gospel; they are more…”

“excellent things--or probably of former times. counsels and knowledge--both advice and instruction.”

“Excellent things - A meaning of the word derived from “the third,” i. e., “the chief of three warriors in a chariot” (compareExodus 14:7; Exodus 14:7 note). Another reading of the Hebrew text gives “Have I not written to thee long ago?” and this would form a natural antithesis to “this day” of Proverbs 22:19. The rendering of the Septuagint is: “write them for thyself three times;” that of the Vulgate, “I have written it (i. e., my counsel) In threefold form;” the “three times” or “threefold form” being referred either to the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, or to the division of the Old Testament into the Law, the prophets, and the Hagiographa. return to 'Top of Page'”

“In counsels and knowledge - In counsels which proceed from found knowledge. Proverbs 22:21”

“22:20 thirty sayings: Early scribes noticed that the Hebrew word for thirty has been written in an unusual form (shlshwm) rather than the usual form (shlyshym). All the early translations of the Old Testament (e.g., Greek Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, Syriac Peshitta) read it as thirty. Nonetheless, some prefer to translate the word as excellent sayings.”

“Pro 8:6; Psa 12:6; Hos 8:12; Ti2 3:15-17; Pe2 1:19-21 Proverbs 22:21”