Proverbs 9:16-18

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 9:16

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 9:16

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither - Folly or pleasure here personified, uses the very same expressions as employed by Wisdom, Proverbs 9:4 . Wisdom says, "Let the simple turn in to me." No, says Folly, "Let the simple turn in to me." If he turn in to Wisdom, his folly shall be taken away and he shall become wise; if he turn in to Foliy, his darkness will be thickened, and his folly will remain. Wisdom sets up her school to instruct the ignorant: Folly sets her school up next... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet - I suppose this to be a proverbial mode of expression, importing that illicit pleasures are sweeter than those which are legal The meaning is easy to be discerned; and the conduct of multitudes shows that they are ruled by this adage. On it are built all the adulterous intercourses in the land. 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

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