Seventeenth Address. Chap. Proverbs 9:1-18 This Section, with which the Introduction to the Book concludes, consists of two parts, in which Wisdom personified (Proverbs 9:1) and Folly (Proverbs 9:13) represented by a vicious woman are set once more in vivid contrast to each other, contending for th... [ Continue Reading ]
_seven pillars_ "Pillars form an important feature in Oriental architecture, partly perhaps as a reminiscence of the tent with its supporting poles, and partly also from the use of flat roofs, in consequence of which the chambers were either narrower, or divided into portions by columns." _Smith's D... [ Continue Reading ]
_mingled_ i.e. with spices. Comp. Proverbs 23:30; Isaiah 5:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_eat_ Rather, EAT YE, R.V. The word is plural. The invitation though addressed to each (Proverbs 9:4) is extended to all. Comp. Isaiah 55:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forsake the foolish_ Rather, FORSAKE, YE SIMPLE (sc. _your simplicity_): come to a decision; your present neutral position (see note on Proverbs 1:4, "the simple") is untenable. Your choice lies between Wisdom and "the scorner," Proverbs 9:7. Therefore break altogether with the scorner and the wick... [ Continue Reading ]
_shame … a blot_ because his failure convicts him of unwisdom in the attempt. Comp. Matthew 7:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is some abruptness in the introduction of these verses, which seem to interrupt the even flow of the invitation given by Wisdom. The majority of commentators regard them as the justification offered by Wisdom of her own course, in confining her invitation to the simple, and not extending it to... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 18:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the beginning of wisdom_ See Proverbs 1:7, note, where however the Heb. word for "beginning" is different. Between the antagonistic companies (dealt with in Proverbs 9:7) of "her children" (Matthew 11:19), who have already accepted her invitation, and who love her for her reproofs and profit by her... [ Continue Reading ]
_shalt be_ Rather, ART. R.V. The LXX. version of this verse is interesting, and represents perhaps a fuller Hebrew text: "My son, if thou be wise to thyself, thou shalt be wise to thy neighbours also; But if thou turn out evil, thou alone shalt bear (lit. drain) the evil. Whoso stayeth himself u... [ Continue Reading ]
_A foolish woman_ Rather, THE FOOLISH WOMAN. Lit . A WOMAN OF FOLLY. Some would render (e.g. R.V. marg.) _Folly_, as a personification, over against _Wisdom_(Proverbs 9:1), but the introduction of the word "woman" here, which is wanting there, and the language of Proverbs 9:17 seem to make it clear... [ Continue Reading ]
Proverbs 9:13. The Introduction, or first main division of the Book, ends with the contrasted picture of Folly. She too has her house, at the door of which she sits (Proverbs 9:14); she too, though the charm of secrecy is added to her enticements (Proverbs 9:17), is seen flaunting shamelessly, in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_who go right on their ways_ who are not putting themselves in the way of temptation by loitering or straying into by-ways, but who, though in the path of duty, are unwary and unsuspecting, and so need warning.... [ Continue Reading ]
_stolen waters_ Maurer compares what he calls "tristissimum illud Ovidii," "Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the dead_ To enter her house is to quit the land of the living, and enter the dark abode of the "shades," Heb. REPHAIM. See Proverbs 2:18, note. _hell_ Heb. SHEOL. See Proverbs 9:5, note, and comp. Proverbs 2:18; Proverbs 7:27. The LXX. after their manner, expand the warning here, and repeat the... [ Continue Reading ]