Personified Wisdom in the Old Testament

9:1 Wisdom has built her house Wisdom is presented as industrious and hard working. In contrast, folly merely sits at the door of her house (vv. 13–14).

seven Symbolic of perfection or completeness.

9:2 She has slaughtered her slaughtering The Hebrew phrase used here does not designate any specific animal but does indicate preparation for a feast (Gen 43:16).

mixed her wine Sometimes spices were added to wine to improve its taste (Song 8:2). The banquet of wisdom is far more appealing than the water and bread offered by folly (Prov 9:17).

9:3 She has sent her servant girls Wisdom sends out female servants to invite people to come to her banquet. This description resembles Jesus’ parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22:1–14).

9:4 Whoever is simple Wisdom invites the simple person and the person who lacks sense to come learn. See note on Prov 1:4.

The Fool in Proverbs

9:7 He who corrects a scoffer In Proverbs, scoffers refuse correction. Their arrogance (21:24) prevents them from obtaining wisdom (14:6). See note on 1:22.

9:8 rebuke the wise In contrast to the scoffer, the wise person accepts rebuke. Throughout Proverbs, the wise person exhibits wisdom by humbly looking to increase in wisdom (12:15; 21:11).

Wisdom and Related Terms

9:10 is fear of Yahweh Reverence for Yahweh. See note on 1:7.

Fearing God in the Old Testament

9:11 years of life shall multiply for you In Proverbs, one reward for wisdom is long life. See note on 3:2.

9:12 you are wise for yourself Elsewhere, wisdom and folly are said to affect others (10:1). This passage emphasizes the responsibility of the individual to accept or reject wisdom. The verse essentially warns that rejecting reproof occurs at one’s own peril.

9:13 foolishness is loud Here, folly resembles the adulteress of 7:11. Quietness is characteristic of the wise because strife and arguing often accompany loudness (17:1; 29:9).

she is seductive The Hebrew word used here, pethayyuth, only occurs here in the ot. It is likely related to the Hebrew word pethi (“simple”; see note on 1:4).

9:14 She sits at the door of her house The picture of folly contrasts with that of wisdom. See note on v. 1.

9:16 Whoever is simple Folly’s invitation is the same as wisdom’s. See note on v. 4.

9:17 Stolen waters are sweet Possibly a euphemism for forbidden sexual relations. See 5:15 and note.

9:18 he does not know The simple person ignorantly follows after folly, not realizing where it leads (7:21–23; see note on 1:4).

the dead are there Proverbs consistently presents death as the consequences of folly (5:5; 7:27). See note on 3:2.

Sheol See note on 1:12.