Proverbs 9 - Introduction

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 the adherence of the children of men. Each has her house to receive them (Proverbs 9:1; Proverbs 9:14), each her feast spread for them (Proverbs 9:2; Proverbs 9:17), each her invitation, couched, in part at least, in identical terms (Proverbs 9:4; Proverbs 9:16), which she utters forth in the high places of the city (Proverbs 9:3; Proverbs 9:14). The balance and symmetry of these two parts are not, however, artistically preserved. Moral earnestness over powers literary skill. The picture of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1) is followed by her prolonged address (Proverbs 9:7), for which the companion picture (Proverbs 9:13) has to wait, the section being closed by a single note of warning from the Teacher himself (Proverbs 9:18).