Proverbs 9:13

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 9:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The foolish woman is clamorous; [She is] simple, and knoweth nothing.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The foolish woman is clamorous; [She is] simple, and knoweth nothing.
Proverbs 9:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13The foolish woman is clamorous; [She is] simple, and knoweth nothing.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“A foolish woman [is] clamorous, etc.] Some by this woman understand folly itself, as opposed to wisdom; others blind reason, ignorant of divine things; others carnal sensual pleasure, which entices and draws men to that which is evil; others heresy and superstition; others the old serpent, the devil; she seems to be the same with the strange woman and harlot before described, (<200216>Proverbs 2:16 5:3 7:5), etc. and being set in direct opposition to Wisdom, or Christ, seems to design antichrist, who is described in the book of the Revelation as the great whore; and all the characters here agree with the same. Antichrist is represented as a “woman”, (<661703>Revelation 17:3,4,6,18); and is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“foolish woman--or literally, "woman of folly," specially manifested by such as are described. clamorous--or, "noisy" (Pro 7:11). knoweth nothing--literally, "knoweth not what," that is, is right and proper.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The picture of the harlot as the representative of the sensual life, the Folly between which and Wisdom the young man has to make his choice (Proverbs 9:3 note). “Simple,” in the worst sense, as open to all forms of evil. “Knoweth nothing,” ignorant with the ignorance which is willful and reckless. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:13-18 The woman named Folly also invites the simple and those who lack good judgment to join her for the banquet she has prepared. Her invitation and advice are antithetical to Wisdom’s (9:1-6). 9:13 The woman named Folly is brash: Fools talk boldly and without shame but have nothing intelligent to say.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 7:11, Pro 21:9, Pro 21:19; Ti1 6:4 \*marg. Proverbs 9:14”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The poet now brings before us another figure, for he personifies Folly working in opposition to Wisdom, and gives her a feminine name, as the contrast to Wisdom required, and thereby to indicate that the seduction, as the 13th proverbial discourse (chap. 7) has shown, appears especially in the form of degraded womanhood: 13 The woman Folly \[Frau Thorheit\] conducts herself boisterously, Wantonness, and not knowing anything at all; 14 And hath seated herself at the door of her house, On a seat high up in the city, 15 To call to those who walk in the way, Who go straight on their path. The connection of אשת כּסילוּת is genitival, and the genitive is not, as in אשׁת רע, Pro 6:24, specifying,…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification