Proverbs 9 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Proverbs 9

The Way of Wisdom

9:1   Wisdom has built her house;
    she has hewn her seven pillars.
2   She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
    she has also set her table.
3   She has sent out her young women to call
    from the highest places in the town,
4   “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who lacks sense she says,
5   “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6   Leave your simple ways,¹ and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”
7   Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8   Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9   Give instruction² to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11   For by me your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.
12   If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The Way of Folly

13   The woman Folly is loud;
    she is seductive³ and knows nothing.
14   She sits at the door of her house;
    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15   calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
16   “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who lacks sense she says,
17   “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18   But he does not know that the dead⁴ are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Footnotes

[1] 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple
[2] 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction
[3] 9:13 Or full of simpleness
[4] 9:18 Hebrew Rephaim

Commentary

v1-6: The call of wisdom, the palace of Christ, "I go to prepare a place for you."

v1-2: The house ready, the meat slaughtered/sacrificed; an abundant provision, which is holy and spiritual, through Christ's sacrifice for us. The house is already built, and the call is that Christ will share it with His redeemed people.

v3: The message is published, by the hands of servants, Luke 14.17.

v4: The need - ignorance.

v5: The offer - plenty.

v6: The condition - repentance.

v7-9: The wise man and the scoffer; one who reproves a scoffer will find his words rejected. The wise man, in contrast, will welcome rebuke and teaching, for his benefit, 2 Tim 3.16-17.

v10-12: The heart of the matter is wisdom from God; there is a blessing promised to those who seek God's wisdom.

v13-18: The call of the enemy. The words are similar to the call of wisdom (v16 compared with v4), which brings confusion. The difference is in the caller. There is deceit (v17) and an end in death (v18). As in any false religion, the may be a great offer, but the reality is so different.