Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 9:9
(9) Give instruction to a wise man.—Comp. Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29. read more
(9) Give instruction to a wise man.—Comp. Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29. read more
CHAPTER 10TWO VOICES IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITYProverbs 9:1-18, Proverbs 20:14 with Proberbs 3, and Proverbs 20:16 with Proverbs 4:1-27AFTER the lengthened contrast between the vicious woman and Wisdom in chapters 7 and 8, the introduction of the book closes with a little picture which is intended to repeat and sum up all that has gone before. It is a peroration, simple, graphic, and beautiful.There is a kind of competition between Wisdom and Folly, between Righteousness and Sin, between... read more
CHAPTER 9 1. The invitation of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-12 ) 2. The contrast with Folly. (Proverbs 9:13-18 ) Proverbs 9:1-12 . The first section of Proverbs closeth with a contrast of Wisdom and Folly, both personified. The one, our Lord, the other under the symbol of a foolish woman. Wisdom sends forth her invitation after her house is built and the feast is spread. It reminds us of the parable of the great supper (Luke 14:1-35 ). Here too is the gracious invitation, “Come, eat of my bread... read more
9:8 Reprove not a {h} scorner, lest he shall hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.(h) Meaning them who are incorrigible, which Christ calls dogs and swine: or he speaks this in comparison, not that the wicked should not be rebuked, but he shows their malice, and the small hope of the profit. read more
In these chapters we have a public discourse of Wisdom (personified) (chap. 8), and what Lange describes as an allegorical exhibition of the call of men to a choice of wisdom of folly (chap. 9). It is really our Lord Jesus Christ putting forth this voice (Proverbs 8:1 ), and crying unto men at the gates of the city (Proverbs 8:4-5 ). It is He who speaks the excellent things (Proverbs 8:6 ), and on whose lips wickedness is an abomination (Proverbs 8:7 ). Of Him alone can it be predicted that... read more
Wisdom and Folly Proverbs 9:0 Two women make their appeal in this chapter. One is Wisdom, the other is the foolish woman. So the broad distinction between wisdom and folly is consistently sustained. There are no half-wise people, no half-foolish people; the virgins are wise or foolish, bad or good, angels from heaven or spectres from hell. Wisdom has a festival prepared. We have seen in Exodus 24:0 that when the elders of Israel were favoured with the vision of the Almighty "they did eat and... read more
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be... read more
Occasion. This word is found in Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic. We might supply instruction, (Calmet) with Protestants. read more
1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never... read more
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 9:1-18
The RivalsFolly and Wisdom invite guests to their respective houses. The consequences of accepting either of the two invitations are described. We are reminded of the Greek parable, ’The choice of Hercules,’ which related how the hero, at the beginning of his career, was accosted by two fair women, Virtue and Vice, who would have him tread, one the rough, the other the flowery way.1-6. Wisdom’s invitation.1. The word Wisdom is in the plural, to indicate her variety and perfection. She has a... read more