Proverbs 9:1-18 ASV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man ,.... In the Hebrew text it is only "give to a wise man"; give him reproof, correction, chastisement, doctrine, or instruction, be it what it will, he will be the better for it. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it, "give occasion"; to him of showing his wisdom and of improving in it: and he will be yet wiser ; he will learn something by every him that is given him, whether it be by way of rebuke, or by way of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ,.... This shows who the wise men are, and in what true wisdom lies; no man is wise till he fears the Lord, and he that does so is a wise man, at least then he begins to be one; this is the principal part of wisdom, Proverbs 1:7 ; and is at the first of it; it is the beginning of grace; it is the first act of wisdom, or grace; or which appears as soon as a man is converted and caused to know wisdom in the hidden part; as repentance, faith,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:11

For by me thy days shall be multiplied ,.... These are the words of Wisdom, and contain a reason and argument why her call and advice in the preceding verses should be listened unto, since she gives long life to her followers. She is a tree of life unto them, the author and giver of spiritual and eternal life; by means of her bread and her wine spiritual life is maintained, promoted, and preserved; and length of days, for ever and ever, is the gift of her right hand; see Proverbs 3:16 .... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:12

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself ,.... He is wise that harkens to Wisdom's advice, that obeys her call, turns in to her house, and becomes her guest; and such an one is wise for himself, it is for his own good, profit, and advantage; for the good of his soul, for his present peace and comfort, and for his future bliss and happiness. It is not for her own sake that Wisdom presses her exhortations, and is so urgent on men to take her counsel and advice; it is for their own good;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:13

A foolish woman is clamorous ,.... Some by this woman understand folly itself, as opposed to wisdom; others blind reason, ignorant of divine things; others carnal sensual pleasure, which entices and draws men to that which is evil; others heresy and superstition; others the old serpent, the devil; she seems to be the same with the strange woman and harlot before described, Proverbs 2:16 , &c.; and being set in direct opposition to Wisdom, or Christ, seems to design antichrist, who is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:14

For she sitteth at the door of her house , Idle and inactive, looking out for her prey; not active and laborious, as Wisdom, building her house, killing her beasts, furnishing her table, and sending out her maidens to call in her guests; but exposing herself in the most public manner, and being at the utmost ease, sitting as a queen; see Revelation 18:7 ; and as it follows, on a seat , or "throne" F16 על כסא "super solium", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; "super solio",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:15

To call passengers who go right on their ways. Who have been religiously educated, and trained up in the principles of true Christianity; and who walk outwardly according to the rule of the divine word, and are in a fair way for heaven and eternal happiness. These she has her eye upon as they pass along, and calls unto them, and endeavours to turn them aside out of the way they are going, to make them proselytes to her antichristian religion; which, when she succeeds in, she glories and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:16

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither ,.... The harlot's house, Popish chapels and churches. She uses the same form of words that Wisdom does, Proverbs 9:4 ; having a form of godliness, a show of religion, but without the power of it; her priests are wolves in sheep's clothing, and speak lies in hypocrisy: and such that she fixes upon as proper persons to work on are the simple, the credulous and unwary; who are not on their guard, and are easily persuaded and imposed on; and as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet ,.... Wells and fountains of waters in those hot countries were very valuable, and were the property of particular persons; about which there were sometimes great strife and contention; and they were sometimes sealed and kept from the use of others; see Genesis 26:18 ; now waters got by stealth from such wells and fountains were sweeter than their own, or what might be had in common and without difficulty, to which the proverb alludes. By which in general is meant,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:18

But he knoweth not that the dead are there ,.... In the house of this foolish and wicked woman, into which she invites passengers to turn; the simple, that is persuaded by her, does not consider that there are none there to be his companions, but such who are dead in a moral or spiritual sense; that, though they live in pleasure, they are dead while they live. Aben Ezra refers this to "hell" in the next clause; where her guests are, and where those that are slain by her have their... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:18

Group of Brands