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Proverbs Chapter 9

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 18 Verses

What is Proverbs 9 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
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 is void of understanding, she saith to him,
5Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.
7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man [getteth] himself a blot.
8Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9Give [instruction] to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, And the years of thy life shall be increased.
12If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13The foolish woman is clamorous; [She is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
14And she sitteth at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,
15To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:
16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of 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; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Wisdom hath builded her house, etc.] Or “Wisdoms”: of which see (<200120>Proverbs 1:20); Christ, the Wisdom of God, is meant, in whom and from whom all wisdom is. Various are the opinions concerning this house built by him. Some take it to be the whole circle of sciences, and the seven pillars to be the seven liberal ones, as Aben Ezra; though rather, as others, it may design the schools of the prophets, in which young men were trained up in the knowledge of divine and spiritual things. Some would have the whole universe to be meant, and the seven pillars to be the seven days of creation, as Jarchi; or the seven…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The commendation of wisdom is continued, under the figure of a liberal host, and its provisions under that of a feast (compare Luk 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. (Pro. 9:1-18) house--(compare Pro 8:34). her--or, "its" (the house). seven pillars--the number seven for many, or a sufficiency (Pro 6:31).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“A parable full of beauty, and interesting in its parallelism to the parables of our Lord Matthew 22:3-4; Luke 14:16. Seven pillars - The number is chosen as indicating completeness and perfection. God revealing Himself in nature, resting in His work, entering into covenant with human beings - these were the ideas conveyed by it. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Her house - For the reception of her guests. Seven - Many pillars; whereby is intimated the beauty and stability of the church. Pillars - Prophets, and apostles, and ministers. Proverbs 9:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“9:1-6 The invitation to join Wisdom for a lavish meal is met by a competing invitation in 9:13-18. 9:1 The number seven can denote grandeur or fullness, so the seven columns represent the grandeur of Wisdom’s house, the place where it dwells.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Wisdom: The infinite and eternal Wisdom of God, which has so framed the universe as to exhibit a scene of grandeur and stability, and made ample provision for the innumerable beings by which it is inhabited. builded: Mat 16:18; Co1 3:9-15; Eph 2:20-22; Ti1 3:15; Heb 3:3-6; Pe1 2:5, Pe1 2:6 pillars: Kg1 7:2, Kg1 7:3, Kg1 7:6, Kg1 7:21; Gal 2:9; Rev 3:12 Proverbs 9:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The preceding discourse pronounces those happy who, having taken their stand at the portal of Wisdom, wait for her appearance and her invitation. There is thus a house of Wisdom as there is a house of God, Psa 84:11; and if now the discourse is of a house of Wisdom, and of an invitation to a banquet therein (like that in the parable, Matt 22, of the invitation to the marriage feast of the king's son), it is not given without preparation: 1 Wisdom hath builded for herself an house, Hewn out her seven pillars; 2 Hath slaughtered her beasts, mingled her wine; Hath also spread her table; 3 Hath sent out her maidens;…”
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