What is a proverb? What makes a saying in the Bible a proverb?

TL;DR:

Proverbs speak to general truths about life, not necessarily hard and fast realities. Proverbs help us live wisely by expressing general truths for practical, godly living.

A biblical proverb can be defined as "a short saying that expresses a general truth for practical, godly living." The fundamental truths of life are frequently illustrated through comparisons, metaphors, and parallelisms, which are hallmarks of Hebrew poetry. Proverbial sayings often use analogies to demonstrate a truth. The biblical book of Proverbs, which was largely written by King Solomon with inclusions from other authors, contains proverbs for godly living. Like any book, it must be interpreted based on its genre. Proverbs should be read as wisdom literature, meaning the proverbs offer general principles for godly living, use poetic language, and should not be treated as absolute promises. Because of their short and concise nature, proverbs are easy to remember and pass down through generations. Their brevity enhances their impact, allowing them to be internalized quickly and applied to daily life. Ultimately, the proverbs of the Bible reflect God's wisdom, offering timeless guidance for those who seek to live with discernment, integrity, and reverence for Him.

from the old testament

The Bible describes proverbs as "sayings of the wise" (Proverbs 24:23).
Proverbs 1 serves somewhat as a purpose statement for the book:
“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs do not describe every situation every time; nor are they promises. An example of this is shown in Proverbs 24:24. "Whoever says to the wicked, 'You are in the right,' will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations." This proverb is describing how a corrupt judge is generally not well regarded by people. However, we know from experience that sometimes a corrupt judge can gain more power than a righteous judge. So the proverb speaks to a general truth, not a hard and fast reality or promise.
Proverbs must also be applied based on context. For example, Proverbs 26:4–5 says, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
Proverbs are found throughout the Bible, especially in books that contain wisdom literature or poetic teachings. Ecclesiastes, for example, is another wisdom book that contains proverbs about life’s meaning, human limitations, and the pursuit of wisdom. Ecclesiastes 7:1, for example, contains a proverb: "A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth."
The book of Psalms also contains proverbial sayings such as Psalm 37:25, which says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread."

from the new testament

Jesus used proverbial truths to teach profound spiritual and moral lessons in a way that was simple yet impactful. He taught believers to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39), encouraging His followers to respond with grace instead of vengeance. By saying “go the second mile” (Matthew 5:41), He called for selfless service beyond what is required. He warned against wasting wisdom on those who would reject it with “casting pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6). His teaching on “serving two masters” (Matthew 6:24) highlights the impossibility of divided loyalty between God and worldly pursuits. The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) sums up godly living by calling people to treat others as they would want to be treated. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus calls people to assess what they actually value when He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Through these sayings, Jesus used everyday wisdom to shape His followers’ hearts and actions.
Paul’s writings also contain some proverbial phrases. Galatians 6:7 tells us: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

implications for today

God desires us to live in wisdom because it reflects His character and because living in His wisdom is where the abundant life is found. Wisdom leads to a life of righteousness, peace, and purpose. Proverbs help us do this by offering practical guidance rooted in godly principles. They teach us how to navigate relationships, work diligently, guard our words, and seek justice. Unlike mere intelligence, experience, or just “street smarts,” biblical wisdom aligns our hearts with God's truth and how it applies to reality. The proverbs are not devoid of reality; instead, they help us see reality clearly through God's perspective. Proverbs equip us to make choices that honor God, not by offering guarantees, but by shaping our character and decision-making. When we embrace godly wisdom, we learn to trust God's guidance, walk in righteousness, and experience the abundant life He desires for us.

understand

A proverb expresses general truths for practical, godly living, not absolute promises.
Biblical proverbs use poetic language, comparisons, and analogies to make wisdom accessible.
Proverbs guide us in wise decision-making.

reflect

How has a specific proverb from the Bible helped you make a wise decision in your life?
In what areas of your life do you tend to expect absolute guarantees instead of applying general wisdom?
How can you intentionally apply biblical proverbs to your life?

engage

How does understanding proverbs as general truths, rather than promises, shape the way we apply them to life?
Why do you think God chose to communicate much wisdom through short, poetic sayings rather than detailed instructions?
How can we encourage one another to live out the wisdom found in Proverbs in a world that often values personal opinion over biblical truth?