The Beginning of Knowledge-5

Pro. 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. Now a wise man will hear, and will increase his learning; a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

To understand...

בִּין

bı̂yn

bene

A primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), that is, (generally) understand: - attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill (-ful), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand (-ing), view, (deal) wise (-ly, man).

a proverb,...

מָשָׁל

mâshâl

maw-shawl'

Apparently from to rule: in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly a pithy maxim, usually of a metaphorical nature; hence a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse): - byword, like, parable, proverb.

That is, the point of what is said.

and the interpretation;...

מְלִיצָה

m^elı̂ytsâh

mel-ee-tsaw'

From to properly make mouths at, to scoff; an aphorism; also a satire: - interpretation, taunting.

the words...

דָּבָר

dâbâr

daw-bawr'

From properly to arrange; a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause: - act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), + because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune (-ication), + concern [-ing], + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, [evil favoured-] ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, [no] thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some [uncleanness], somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what [-soever], + wherewith, which, word, work.

of the wise,...

חָכָם

châkâm

khaw-kawm'

From to be wise; wise, (that is, intelligent, skillful or artful): - cunning (man), sub-till, ([un-]), wise ([hearted], man).

Riddles, enigmas, and parables abounded in East.

and their dark sayings...

חִידָה

chı̂ydâh

khee-daw'

From properly to tie a knot; a puzzle; hence a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim: - dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle.

A person who understands “words of insight” (Pro. 1:2) understands the meaning of proverbs… parables, and the sayings and riddles of the wise. The word for “riddle” (ḥı̂ḏâh) means an indirect, oblique, or enigmatic statement (like a figure of speech) which needs interpretation. It is used of Samson’s riddle (Jdg. 14:12-19) and of the “hard questions” the Queen of Sheba asked of Solomon (1Kgs. 10:1; 2Chr. 9:1).