Proverbs 9:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

We have heard what Christ has to say, to engage our affections to God and godliness, and one would think the whole world should go after him; but here we are told how industrious the tempter is to seduce unwary souls into the paths of sin, and with the most he gains his point, and Wisdom's courtship is not effectual. Now observe, I. Who is the tempter?a foolish woman, Folly herself, in opposition to Wisdom. Carnal sensual pleasure I take to be especially meant by this foolish woman (Prov.... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 9:18

But he knoweth not that the dead are there - See on Proverbs 2:18 ; (note). He does not know that it was in this way the first apostates from God and truth walked. רפאים rephaim ; gigantev, the Giants - Septuagint. The sons of men, the earth-born, to distinguish them from the sons of God, those who were born from above. See the notes on Genesis 6:1 , etc. Her guests are in the depths of hell - Those who have been drawn out of the way of understanding by profligacy have in general... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:1-18

15. Fifteenth admonitory discourse, containing in a parabolic form an invitation of Wisdom ( Proverbs 9:1-12 ), and that of her rival Folly ( Proverbs 9:13-18 ). The chapter sums up in brief the warnings of the preceding part. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

This section contains the invitation of Folly, the rival of Wisdom, represented under the guise of an adulteress ( Proverbs 2:16 ; Proverbs 5:3 , etc.; Proverbs 6:24 , etc.; 7.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

The invitation of Folly The picture to be taken in contrast with that at the beginning of the chapter. I. THE TEMPER OF FOLLY . 1 . She is excitable and passionate ( Proverbs 9:13 ), and may be fitly imaged as the harlot, the actress and mask of genuine feeling. 2 . She is irrational, and knows not what is what. True love is not blind, either as to self or its objects. 3 . She is like the harlot again in her shamelessness ( Proverbs 9:14 ). Folly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:13-18

The truth about sin Solomon, having told us of the excellency of Wisdom, and of the blessings she has to confer on her children, now bids us consider the consequences of listening to sin, when she, the foolish woman, utters her invitation. We learn— I. THAT SIN IN ITS LATER DEVELOPMENTS IS A VERY ODIOUS THING . What a painful and repulsive picture we have here of the foolish woman, who, though utterly ignorant and unworthy ( Proverbs 9:13 ), assumes a conspicuous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:18

The deluded youth is supposed to be persuaded by the seductions of Folly and to enter her house. The writer, then, in a few weighty words, shows the terrible result of this evil compliance. But he knoweth not that the dead are there (see on Proverbs 2:18 and Proverbs 7:27 ). There are none "there," in her house, who can be said to be living, they are rephaim, shadowy ghosts of living men, or else demons of the nether world. The Septuagint and Vulgate, with a reference to Genesis 6:4 ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 9:16-18

Proverbs 9:16-18. Whoso is simple Which title is not given to them by her; for such a reproach would not have allured them, but driven them away; but by Solomon, who represents the matter of her invitation in his own words, that he might discover the truth of it, and thereby dissuade and deter those whom she invited. Stolen waters are sweet A proverbial expression for unlawful pleasures, which are said to be sweet, partly from the difficulty of obtaining them, and partly because the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:1-18

Invitations from ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Folly’ (9:1-18)Wisdom is again personified in a gracious lady. This time she invites the silly and the ignorant to a great feast that she has prepared in her magnificent house. She wants them to come and enjoy the life-giving gifts of wisdom and discernment that she freely offers (9:1-6).Whether people desire wisdom depends largely upon the character they have developed in themselves over the years. When people grow conceited in their opinions and blind to their... read more

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