Proverbs 21:19

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman full of chiding, and wrathful.

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 He that loveth meats shall be in neediness (He who loveth too much food shall be in want); he that loveth wine and fat things, shall not be made rich.

18 An unpious man shall be given for a just man; and a wicked man shall be given for a rightful man. (An evil person shall be given as a ransom for a righteous person; and a wicked person shall be given as a ransom for an upright person.)

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman full of chiding, and wrathful.

20 Desirable treasure and oil is in the dwelling place of a just man; and an unprudent man shall destroy it. (Desirable treasure and oil be in the dwelling place of the wise; but an imprudent person shall destroy it all.)

21 He that followeth rightfulness and mercy, shall find life, [and rightwiseness,] and glory.