Proverbs 21:9

9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:9

[It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
The roofs of houses in Judea were that, encompassed with battlements, whither persons might retire for solitude, and sit in safety: and it is better to be in a corner of such a roof alone, and be exposed to scorching heat, to blustering winds, to thunder storms and showers of rain, than with a brawling woman in a wide house;
large and spacious, full of rooms, fit for a numerous family: or, "an house of society" F21; where many families might dwell and live sociably with each other; or a house where a man, his wife and family, might dwell together, and have communion with each other; it is opposed to the corner of the housetop, and the solitariness of it; as the scolding of the brawling woman, or "a woman of contentions" F23, who is always noisy and quarrelsome, her violent passions, her storming language, and thundering voice, are to the inclemencies of the heavens, to which a man on the housetop is exposed; and yet these are more eligible than the other; see ( Proverbs 21:19 ) ( 17:1 ) ( 19:13 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (rbx tybw) "domo societatis", Montanus, Vatablus, Baynus, Mercerus, Michaelis, "et domus societatis", Schultens.
F23 (Mynwdm tvam) "prae muliere contentionum", Montanus, Schultens.

Proverbs 21:9 In-Context

7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.