1 Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; She hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table:
3 She hath sent forth her maidens; She crieth upon the highest places of the city:
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.
7 He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man `getteth' himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give `instruction' to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 The foolish woman is clamorous; `She is' simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, And bread `eaten' in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 9
Commentary on Proverbs 9 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 9
Pr 9:1-18. The commendation of wisdom is continued, under the figure of a liberal host, and its provisions under that of a feast (compare Lu 14:16-24). The character of those who are invited is followed by a contrasted description of the rejectors of good counsel; and with the invitations of wisdom are contrasted the allurement of the wicked woman.
1. house—(compare Pr 8:34).
her—or, "its" (the house).
seven pillars—the number seven for many, or a sufficiency (Pr 6:31).
2. mingled—to enhance the flavor (Pr 23:30; Isa 5:22).
furnished—literally, "set out," "arranged."
3. maidens—servants to invite (compare Ps 68:11; Isa 40:9).
highest places—ridges of heights, conspicuous places.
4-6. (Compare Pr 1:4; 6:32). Wisdom not only supplies right but forbids wrong principles.
7, 8. shame—(Compare Pr 3:35).
a blot—or, "stain on character." Both terms denote the evil done by others to one whose faithfulness secures a wise man's love.
9. The more a wise man learns, the more he loves wisdom.
10. (Compare Pr 1:7).
of the holy—literally, "holies," persons or things, or both. This knowledge gives right perception.
11. (Compare Pr 3:16-18; 4:10).
12. You are mainly concerned in your own conduct.
13. foolish woman—or literally, "woman of folly," specially manifested by such as are described.
clamorous—or, "noisy" (Pr 7:11).
knoweth nothing—literally, "knoweth not what," that is, is right and proper.
14. on a seat—literally, "throne," takes a prominent place, impudently and haughtily.
15, 16. to allure those who are right-minded, and who are addressed as in Pr 9:4, as
simple—that is, easily led (Pr 1:4) and unsettled, though willing to do right.
17. The language of a proverb, meaning that forbidden delights are sweet and pleasant, as fruits of risk and danger.
18. (Compare Pr 2:18, 19; 7:27).