Proverbs9
King James Version · Public Domain
1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The invitations of Wisdom. (1–12). The invitations of folly. (13–18).
vv1-12
Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.
vv13-18
How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.
Key Words
חׇכְמוֹת: wisdom
בָּנָה: to build (literally and figuratively)
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
חָצַב: to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave
שֶׁבַע: seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
עַמּוּד: a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform
טָבַח: to slaughter (animals or men)
טֶבַח: properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
מָסַךְ: to mix, especially wine (with spices)
יַיִן: wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
Cross References
Proverbs 9Poole identifies Wisdom's built house as the Church, which Paul calls the house of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Poole connects the 'seven pillars' of Wisdom's house to ministers of holy things called pillars.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Wisdom's house and feast find a New Testament parallel in the Parable of the Great Supper.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The gospel invitation to come, eat, and drink without money parallels Wisdom's feast call.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The 'clamorous' character of the foolish woman matches the description of the harlot.
Supported by JFB
The end of the foolish woman's guests is death and hell, matching chapter 2.
Supported by JFB
Both verses speak of 'mingled wine,' referring to enhancing flavor or strength.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Wisdom targets the 'simple' to impart understanding and prudence to those willing to learn.
Supported by JFB
Reiterates the foundational truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Supported by JFB
Wisdom promises long life and multiplied years, echoing earlier chapters.
Supported by JFB
Casting pearls before swine parallels the futility of reproving a determined scorner.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that a man's wisdom profits himself, not God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Folly deceptively mimics Wisdom's exact invitation to the simple in verse 4.
Supported by JFB
Confirms the deadly destiny of those who enter the house of folly.
Supported by JFB