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The Book of Ahikar is a wisdom book from ancient times. It is closely associated with the Bible. Much to learn from this precious treasure from history.

The Book of Ahikar Part Nine

Click below for the earlier parts to this story:

Part one
Part two
Part three
Part four
Part five
Part six
Part seven
Part eight

The book of Ahikar has some credentials that lend it some biblical authority, though it is not part of the official canon. The story of Ahikar fits within the Biblical narrative of the Assyrian conquest of Israel. The Book of Tobit speaks also of the exile in Assyria. Tobit was of the tribe of Naphtali, a Hebrew.

This book tells the story of Tobit, son of Tobiel, son of Hananiel, son of Aduel, son of Gabael, son of Raphael, son of Raguel, of the family of Asiel and the tribe of Naphtali. Tobit 1:1

The book of Tobit contains elements from the Book of Ahikar and mentions Ahikar and his son Nadan by name. Clearly the author of Tobit was familiar with the story of Ahikar, since the text of Tobit lists Ahikar as being the nephew of Tobit.

Ahikar the son of my brother Anael, was appointed chancellor of the exchequer for the kingdom and given the main ordering of affairs. Ahikar then interceded for me and I was allowed to return to Nineveh, since Ahikar had been chief cupbearer, keeper of the signet, administrator and treasurer under Sennacherib king of Assyria, and Esarhaddon had kept him in office. He was a relation of mine; he was my nephew. Tobit 1:21-22

The book of Tobit can be read here.
The book of Ahikar can be read here.

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Here resumes the proverbs of Ahikar.

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My son, if water would stand still in the Heavens and a black crow becomes white and a myrrh grow sweet as honey, then ignorant men and fools might understand and become wise.

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26

My son, if you desire to be wise, strain your tongue from lying and your hand from stealing and your eyes from beholding evil then you will be called wise.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. James 3:13-14

My son, let the wise man beat you with a rod, but do not let the fool anoint you with sweet salve. Be humble in your youth and you shall be honored in your old age.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9

My son, do not withstand a man in the days of his power, nor a river in the days of its flood.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

My son, do not be hasty in the wedding of a wife, for if it turns out well, she will say "My Master, made provision for me". But if it turns out ill, she will rate at him who was the cause of it.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

My son, whoever is elegant in his dress, he is the same in his speech. He who has a mean appearance in his dress, he also is the same in his speech.

I will greatly rejoice in YHVH; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10

My son, if you have gained an increase, make it known to the Sultan and give him a share of it, that you may be delivered from him, for otherwise you will endure bitterness.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. Hebrews 7:1

My son, make a friend of the man whose hand is satisfied and filled and make no friend of the man whose hand is closed and hungry.

Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words. Proverbs 23:6-8

There are four things in which neither the king nor his army can be secure: oppression by the vizier, bad government, perversion of the will, and tyranny over the subjects. There are four things which cannot be hidden: the prudent, the foolish, the rich and the poor.

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This concludes the section of the text containing the Proverbs of Ahikar.

Next installment, we will continue with the story. Much more to come! Let us bless His Holy Name in fear and reverence.

Bless the Most High!

@ironshield

Benjamin Turner: God fearer. Rooted in Messiah. Husband of @lturner. Father of four wonderful children. The guy behind the camera. Steemit enthusiast.

Bless the Most High!