Proverbs 9:17-18

17 1"Stolen water is sweet, and 2bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18 But he does not know 3that the dead[a] are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 9:17-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 9

In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, is represented as having built a stately house or palace for the entertainment of his guests, Pr 9:1; as having made large and suitable provisions for them, Pr 9:2; and as having sent his servants to invite them to come and partake of them, and quit all other company but his, Pr 9:3-6; When it is observed who are and who are not to be reproved, with the reasons of it, Pr 9:7-9; and what is the sum and substance of true wisdom; and what the advantages of it both here and hereafter, Pr 9:10-12; And the chapter is concluded with the description of the foolish woman, the opposite of Wisdom; who is represented as clamorous, simple, and ignorant, Pr 9:13; and plying passengers that go by her door, and inviting them in to partake of her provisions, Pr 9:14-17; the consequence of which is sure and certain death and destruction to her guests, Pr 9:18.

Cross References 3

  • 1. [Proverbs 5:15]
  • 2. [Proverbs 20:17; Proverbs 30:20]
  • 3. See Proverbs 7:27

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.