Proverbs 9:10-18

Foolishness’ Banquet

10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh, and knowledge of the Holy One, insight.

11 For by me your days shall increase, and years of life shall multiply for you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and [if] you scoff, alone you shall bear [it].

13 A woman of foolishness is loud, simple, and does not know {it}.

14 She sits at the door of her house, upon a throne [at the] high places of town,

15 [in order] to call to those who pass by the road, those who go straight [on] their way:

16 "Whoever is simple, may he turn here!" As for he who lacks {sense}, she says to him,

17 "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecy is pleasant."

18 But he does not know that the dead [are] there, in the depths of Sheol [are] her guests.

Proverbs 9:10-18 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "holy ones"
• [b]. Literally "what"
• [c]. Literally "heart"
• [d]. Or "Rephaim"
• [e]. A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld