Proverbs 21:9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:9

See here, 1. What a great affliction it is to a man to have a brawling scolding woman for his wife, who upon every occasion, and often upon no occasion, breaks out into a passion, and chides either him or those about her, is fretful to herself and furious to her children and servants, and, in both, vexatious to her husband. If a man has a wide house, spacious and pompous, this will embitter the comfort of it to him?a house of society (so the word is), in which a man may be sociable, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:9

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop ,.... The roofs of houses in Judea were that, encompassed with battlements, whither persons might retire for solitude, and sit in safety: and it is better to be in a corner of such a roof alone, and be exposed to scorching heat, to blustering winds, to thunder storms and showers of rain, than with a brawling woman in a wide house ; large and spacious, full of rooms, fit for a numerous family: or, "an house of society" F21 ובית ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:9

In a corner of the housetop - A shed raised on the flat roof - a wide house; חבר בית beith chaber , "a house of fellowship;" what we should call a lodging-house, or a house occupied by several families. This was usual in the East, as well as in the West. Some think a house of festivity is meant: hence my old MS. Bible has, the hous and feste. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:4-9

A family of vices There is a kinship between all vices as between all virtues. All sins spring from a disturbance of our true relations to God, as all virtues rest upon the deep consciousness of that relation. I. THE SIN OF PRIDE . ( Proverbs 21:4 .) Its aspect— the lofty eyes, the haughty glance—and its principle in the heart are struck by the Divine rebuke. The meaning of the second clause is not quite clear; probably it is, "The light of the wicked is only sin," i.e. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:9

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop. One is to think of the flat roof of an Eastern house, which was used as an apartment for many purposes: e,g . for sleeping and conference ( 1 Samuel 9:25 , 1 Samuel 9:26 ), for exercise ( 2 Samuel 11:2 ), for domestic matters ( Joshua 2:6 ), for retirement and prayer ( Psalms 102:7 ; Acts 10:9 ). This, though exposed to the inclemency of the weather, would be not an uncomfortable situation during a great part of the year. But... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:1-31

God at work in people’s lives (21:1-31)As God directs the course along which a stream flows, so he guides the decisions of national rulers according to his plan (21:1). God knows people’s motives and he will not accept their sacrifices if their thoughts and actions are wrong (2-4). Prosperity that comes through diligence is a fitting reward, but prosperity that comes through greed, lying and violence is a deadly trap (5-8). Some people make life unpleasant for those who live in the same house,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 21:9

better. See note on Proverbs 8:11 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 21:9

"It is better to live in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house."The meaning here is clear enough and needs no comment; but this rendition is an interesting variation: "It is better to dwell in an attic on the roof, than in a double bedroom with a nagging wife."[9] In fairness, it should be stated that the corollary here is applicable also to a nagging husband. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 21:9

9. corner—a turret or arbor on the roof. brawling—or contentious. wide house—literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 21:9

This proverb makes sense if we keep in mind that roofs in the ancient Near East were flat and people used them as patios. It is better to live alone outside, exposed to the elements, than in the sheltered, comfortable interior of one’s house if one has to share the inside with a scolding woman. Spartan conditions with peace are better than physical comforts with strife. read more