Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 9

Verse 1

Wisdom. Plural as in Proverbs 1:20 ; Proverbs 9:1 , and Proverbs 14:1 .

Verse 2

mingled. Compare Isaiah 5:22 . Not with water but with spices.

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

Verse 3

sent forth her maidens. An Eastern custom. In N.T. the invitation was carried by menservants (Matthew 22:3 .Luke 14:17; Luke 14:17 ).

maidens = or young persons (masculine or feminine) Hebrew. na'ar.

she crieth: or, each to cry.

highest places. Compare 1 Samuel 10:5 , 1 Samuel 10:10 , &c.

Verse 4

simple. See note on Proverbs 1:4 .

understanding. Hebrew "heart". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding.

Verse 5

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for all kinds of food.

Verse 6

Forsake, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Hebrews 11:24-27 ); Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 13:30-33 ; Numbers 14:6-9 , Numbers 14:38 ); Rahab (Joshua 2:9-13 ; Joshua 6:25 .Hebrews 11:31; Hebrews 11:31 ); Ruth (Proverbs 1:16 ; Proverbs 2:11 , Proverbs 2:12 ); Dionysius and Damaris (Acts 17:34 ); Ephesians (Acts 19:19 . Ephesians 2:13 ); members of Nero's household (Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:13 ; Philippians 4:22 ).

foolish = heartless. Hebrew. pethi (masculine plural) Not either of the three words in Proverbs 9:13 or Proverbs 1:7 , but the same word as in Proverbs 9:4 .

live: i.e. live for ever. See note on Leviticus 18:5 .

Verse 7

He that reproveth, &c.: verses: Proverbs 9:7-12 not "out of their proper context". See the Structure on p. 874.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

Verse 8

Reprove not a scorner, &c. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 37:2 ); the Prophet (2 Chronicles 25:16 ); Jews (Isaiah 36:21 ); the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-10 ).

hate thee. We condemn one who has wronged us, and he condemns us. God's plan is to convict and make the sinner condemn himself.

he will love thee. Illustrations: Nathan (2 Samuel 12:0 . Compare 1 Chronicles 3:5 and 1 Kings 1:32-34 ); the two disciples (Luke 24:25 , Luke 24:29 ); Peter (John 21:17 ); Peter (Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:11-14 . Compare 2 Peter 3:15 ).

Verse 9

instruction, or supply "a hint".

Verse 10

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the beginning: not the end. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

wisdom. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

the knowledge, &c. Not departing from evil from policy, but hating it (Proverbs 8:13 ).

the holy = the Holy One. (Plural of majesty.)

understanding = discernment. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Verse 11

be multiplied = become great [in importance or usefulness]. Not necessarily "many" in number.

shall be increased: i.e. in importance. Not necessarily in number. See note on Proverbs 3:16 .

Verse 13

A foolish woman. The contrast is with Proverbs 9:1 . Hebrew. kesil . See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

nothing = nothing whatever.

Verse 14

door = entrance.

Verse 15

Who go right, &c = passing on their way, or [To call them ] that go straight forward, &c.

Verse 18

the dead = Rephaim. (No Art.) See App-25 .

hell = Sheol. App-35 . Proverbs marked off by different authorship. All are in two lines, except Proverbs 19:7 , which has three lines. They are miscellaneous, having self-developing connections, finding their reasons in what follows.

A wise son. Illustration: Joseph (Genesis 47:12 . Compare Pro 48:2 ).

a foolish son. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Illustration: Esau (Genesis 26:34 , Genesis 26:35 ; Genesis 27:45 , Genesis 27:46 ).