The Truth in Print Vol. 30, Issue 7, Aug 2024

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

                                                        

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

 

 

“Like” / “As” Comparisons from Proverbs 

 

Here is a list for reading, learning, and work purposes. I’ve grouped some of these – the noticeable thing about the illustrations preceded by “like” (some by “as” depending upon the translation you use) is how plain they are – even where there is a quick change from one to another in the same verse they’re still plain, and they make quite an impression on the mind. These preach quite well and applications as you study them should be abundant. Again, you will be benefitted by just reading these and thinking about their application – several verses are included with some to show context.

 

For example, notice the first -- Sheol comes from the mouth of the wicked who recruit others to prey along with them on the weak and helpless – sheol is a real place, and those using it to brag of their strength to shed blood will be there at death!

 

You will also find the honeycomb compared to pleasant words in this list – but with a little consideration and study, words that are pleasant agree with the wisdom revealed in God’s word, and can be quite contrary to what the world considers to be pleasant to hear.

 

•        Sheol (Pro 1:12) > H7585 underworld (place to which people descend at death): — Sheol (66).

 

Pro 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 

Pro 1:11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 

Pro 1:12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 

Pro 1:13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 

Pro 1:14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"— 

Pro 1:15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 

Pro 1:16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. 

Pro 1:17 Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; 

Pro 1:18 But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. 

Pro 1:19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners. 

 

 

•        Storm (Desolation KJV) (Pro 1:27) > H7584 a devastating storm: — storm (1).

 

Pro 1:24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 

Pro 1:25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 

Pro 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 

Pro 1:27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 

Pro 1:28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 

Pro 1:29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, 

Pro 1:30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 

Pro 1:31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. 

Pro 1:32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 

Pro 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil." 

 

 

•        Sun (Pro 4:18) – the path of the righteous.

 

Pro 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. 

Pro 4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 

Pro 4:15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. 

Pro 4:16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 

Pro 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. 

Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 

Pro 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. 

 

 

•        Darkness (Pro 4:19) – the way of the wicked.

Pro 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. 

 

Animals, and Animals Being Hunted (Pro 6:5, 7:21-23, 27, 26:2, 27:8).

 

•        Gazelle, bird (Pro 6:5).

 

Pro 6:1  My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 

Pro 6:2  You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth. 

Pro 6:3  So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend. 

Pro 6:4  Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids. 

Pro 6:5  Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 

 

•        Ox, bird (Pro 7:21-23).

 

Pro 7:1  My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. 

Pro 7:2  Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye. 

Pro 7:3  Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Pro 7:4  Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, 

Pro 7:5  That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words. 

Pro 7:6  For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, 

Pro 7:7  And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding, 

Pro 7:8  Passing along the street near her corner; And he took the path to her house 

Pro 7:9  In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. 

Pro 7:10  And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart. 

Pro 7:11  She was loud and rebellious, Her feet would not stay at home. 

Pro 7:12  At times she was outside, at times in the open square, Lurking at every corner. 

Pro 7:13  So she caught him and kissed him; With an impudent face she said to him: 

Pro 7:14  “I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows. 

Pro 7:15  So I came out to meet you, Diligently to seek your face, And I have found you. 

Pro 7:16  I have spread my bed with tapestry, Colored coverings of Egyptian linen. 

Pro 7:17  I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 

Pro 7:18  Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. 

Pro 7:19  For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; 

Pro 7:20  He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.” 

Pro 7:21  With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. 

Pro 7:22  Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, 

Pro 7:23  Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. 

Pro 7:24  Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: 

Pro 7:25  Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; 

Pro 7:26  For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. 

Pro 7:27  Her house is the way to hell, Descending to the chambers of death. 

 

•        Birds (Pro 26:2).

 

Pro 26:2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. 

 

•        Bird (Pro 27:8).

 

Pro 27:8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest Is a man who wanders from his place. 

 

•        Lion, Bear (Pro 19:12, 20:2, 28:16, 28:1) > Compare a “generation” (Pro 30:14).

 

Pro 19:12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

 

Pro 20:2 The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

 

Pro 28:15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

Pro 28:16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

 

Pro 28:1  The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 

 

> Compare a generation,

 

Pro 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men. 

 

•        Eagle (Pro 23:5).

 

Pro 23:5  Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 

 

•        Serpent (Pro 23:32).

 

Pro 23:28  She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. 

Pro 23:29  Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 

Pro 23:30  Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. 

Pro 23:31  Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 

Pro 23:32  At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 

Pro 23:33  Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 

Pro 23:34  Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 

Pro 23:35  “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” 

 

•        Prowler, Armed Man (Pro 6:11, 24:34).

 

Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 

Pro 6:7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 

Pro 6:8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. 

Pro 6:9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 

Pro 6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— 

Pro 6:11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. 

 

•        Sport (Pro 10:23).

 

Pro 10:23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. > “sport” H7814 > laughter, derision, sport: — enjoyment (1).

 

•        Fire (Pro 16:27, 26:18-23).

 

Pro 16:27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

 

Pro 26:18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, > “mad” H3856 to be rabid, insane.

Pro 26:19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!" 

Pro 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 

Pro 26:21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 

Pro 26:22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 

Pro 26:23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross. 

Pro 26:24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; 

Pro 26:25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; 

Pro 26:26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 

 

•        Water (Pro 17:14).

 

Pro 17:14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 

 

•        A Dog by the Ears (Pro 26:17).

 

Pro 26:17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. 

 

·       Sword (Pro 12:18, 25:18, 5:3-4).

 

Pro 12:18  There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. 

 

Pro 25:18  A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. 

 

Pro 5:3  For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; 

Pro 5:4  But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. 

 

•        Honeycomb (Pro 16:24).

 

Pro 16:24  Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. 

 

> “pleasant” H5278 means agreeableness > they come from the “pure”, Pro 15:26 > words pleasing to God agree with His wisdom revealed in His word, Pro 8:8-9 > you eat honey because it not only tastes good but is good for health (Pro 24:13).

 

•        Foliage (Pro 11:28).

 

Pro 11:28  He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage. 

 

•        Rottenness (Pro 12:4).

 

Pro 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. 

 

•        Thorns (Pro 15:19).

 

Pro 15:19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. 

 

CLOUDS – RAIN- WATER

 

•        Cloud of the latter rain (Pro 16:15).

 

Pro 16:15 In the light of the king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. 

 

•        Clouds and wind without rain (Pro 25:14).

 

Pro 25:14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.

 

•        Murky spring and polluted well (Pro 25:26).

 

Pro 25:26  A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. 

 

•        Driving rain which leaves no food (Pro 28:3).

 

Pro 28:3  A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food. 

 

•        Deep waters, … wellspring of wisdom, a flowing brook (Pro 18:4).

 

KJV Pro 18:4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 

 

•        Deep water (Pro 20:5). 

 

Pro 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

 

•        Rivers of water (Pro 21:1). 

 

Pro 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. > “rivers” H6388 small, like irrigation channels.

 

•        In water face reflects face (Pro 27:19).

 

Pro 27:19 As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man. > Pro 23:7, 26:25.

 

•        Snow in summer and rain in harvest (Pro 26:1).

 

Pro 26:1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

 

•        Legs of the lame (Pro 26:7).

 

Pro 26:7  Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 

 

•        Binds a stone in a sling (Pro 26:8).

 

Pro 26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool. > “bind” H6887 to tie up.

 

•        Thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard (Pro 26:9).

 

Pro 26:9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.  

 

•        Medicine (Pro 17:22).

 

Pro 17:22  A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

 

•        High wall (Pro 18:11).

 

Pro 18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

 

•        City broken down without walls (Pro 25:28).

 

Pro 25:28  Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. 

 

•        Strong city (Pro 18:19).

 

Pro 18:19  A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. 

 

•        Gold (Pro 11:22, 25:11-12, 27:21).

 

Pro 11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. 

 

Pro 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. 

Pro 25:12  Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. 

 

Pro 27:21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. 

 

•        Cold (Pro 25:13, 25:20, 25:25).

 

Pro 25:13  Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 

 

Pro 25:20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

 

Pro 25:25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. 

 

•        A bad tooth, foot out of joint (Pro 25:19).

 

Pro 25:19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. 

 

•        Merchant ships (Pro 31:14).

 

Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 

Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 

Pro 31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 

Pro 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 

Pro 31:14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 

Pro 31:15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 

 

 

The Valley Church of Christ

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364

(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.

Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm

 

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http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

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