Proverbs 21:19

19 It is ¹better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

Proverbs 21:19 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:19

[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness
Where persons live without shelter, and are not only exposed to storms and tempests, but to beasts of prey; where is want of the necessaries of life, and no society; where no "speech" is, as the word ^F5 for wilderness may signify; yet it is better to dwell in such a place, where no human voice is heard, than with a contentious and an angry woman;
that is always brawling and scolding, ever in a quarrelsome and angry disposition, and provoking to anger all about her; (See Gill on Proverbs 21:9). In a mystical sense, it is better to be with the church in the wilderness, ( Revelation 12:14 ) ; than with the furious, bloodthirsty, and persecuting church of Rome, in all its worldly glory and splendour.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (rbdm) "a" (rbd) "loqui".

Proverbs 21:19 In-Context

17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Cross References

• 1. 21:19 [ver. 9]