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Proverbs 9

18 verses

TL;DR

Proverbs 9 invites seekers to Wisdom’s house, warns against folly, and stresses the value of learning and reverence for the LORD.

Summary

The chapter opens with Wisdom personified building a house and setting seven pillars, symbolizing sound foundation. She prepares a feast—wine, food, and maidens—to invite the simple and those longing for understanding. The narrative contrasts the benefits of pursuing Wisdom—long life, increased learning—with the perils of scorn and foolishness, warning that rebuking the wicked brings shame and that foolish women lure in danger. Proverbs 9 emphasizes that the fear of the LORD is the root of all wisdom and that instruction to the wise makes them wiser, while instruction to the just deepens their learning. The chapter concludes by reminding readers that foolishness leads to ruin and that those who seek wisdom are rewarded.

Outline
  1. 1. Wisdom’s invitation to a feast for the simple and the seekers of understanding
  2. 2. Contrast between the benefits of wisdom and the dangers of folly
  3. 3. Emphasis on reverence for the LORD as the foundation of true knowledge
Themes
Wisdom versus follyInstruction and learningReverence for the LORD as foundational
Keywords
WisdomFollyInstructionFear of the LORDUnderstandingSimpleScornerWiseJustFoolish woman
People
Wisdomsimple manseeker of understandingscornerwicked manwise manjust manfoolish woman
Places
city (high places)door of her housedepths of hell
Things
seven pillarsbeastswinetablemaidensbreadinstructionfear of the LORD
Key Verses
  • Proverbs 9:10: Stresses the foundational role of fearing the LORD in acquiring wisdom
  • Proverbs 9:6: Highlights the decisive action of abandoning foolishness
  • Proverbs 9:1: Introduces the imagery of Wisdom’s constructed house and pillars
Questions
  • What does the imagery of Wisdom’s house and pillars suggest about the nature of true wisdom?
  • How does the contrast between the simple and the wise inform our approach to learning?
  • In what ways does Proverbs 9 emphasize the importance of reverence for the LORD in everyday decision-making?
Sentiment

positive
Encourages the pursuit of wisdom and reverence for the LORD