Proverbs 9:1 - Exposition

Wisdom was represented as having a house at whose portals persons waited eagerly for admission ( Proverbs 8:34 ); the idea is further carried on. Wisdom hath builded her house. (For the plural form of khochmoth , "wisdom," a plural of excellency, see on Proverbs 1:20 .) As the "strange woman" in Proverbs 7:1-27 . possessed a house to which she seduced her victim, so Wisdom is represented as having a house which she has made and adorned, and to which she invites her pupils. Spiritual writers see here two references—one to Christ's incarnation, when he built for himself a human body ( John 2:19 ); and another to his work in forming the Church, which is his mystical body ( 1 Peter 2:5 ). And the sublime language used in this section is not satisfied with the bare notion that we have here only an allegorical representation of Wisdom calling followers to her. Rather we are constrained to see a Divine intimation of the office and work of Christ, not only the Creator of the world, as in Proverbs 8:1-36 ; but its Regenerator. She hath hewn out her seven pillars . Architecturally, according to Hitzig and others, the pillars of the inner court are meant, which supported the gallery of the first story. Four of these were m the corners, three in the middle of three sides, while the entrance to the court was through the fourth side of the square. The number seven generally denotes perfection; it is the covenant number, expressive of harmony and unity generally, the signature of holiness and blessing, completeness and rest. So in the Apocalypse the whole Church is represented by the number of seven Churches ( Revelation 1:4 , etc.; see on Proverbs 26:16 ). Wisdom's house is said to be thus founded because of its perfection and adaptability to all states of men. But doubtless there is a reference to the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, which rested upon the Christ ( Isaiah 11:2 , etc.), and which are the support and strength of the Church, being symbolized by the seven-branched candlestick in the temple.