3 she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding give forth her voice? On the top of high places by the way, at the cross-paths she taketh her stand. Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud.
Wisdom crieth without; she raiseth her voice in the broadways; she calleth in the chief [place] of concourse, in the entry of the gates; in the city she uttereth her words: How long, simple ones, will ye love simpleness, and scorners take pleasure in their scorning, and the foolish hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour forth my spirit unto you, I will make known to you my words.
and sent his bondmen to call the persons invited to the wedding feast, and they would not come. Again he sent other bondmen, saying, Say to the persons invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatted beasts are killed, and all things ready; come to the wedding feast.
And the bondman came up and brought back word of these things to his lord. Then the master of the house, in anger, said to his bondman, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring here the poor and crippled and lame and blind. And the bondman said, Sir, it is done as thou hast commanded, and there is still room. And the lord said to the bondman, Go out into the ways and fences and compel to come in, that my house may be filled;
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 9
Commentary on Proverbs 9 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 9
Pr 9:1-18. The commendation of wisdom is continued, under the figure of a liberal host, and its provisions under that of a feast (compare Lu 14:16-24). The character of those who are invited is followed by a contrasted description of the rejectors of good counsel; and with the invitations of wisdom are contrasted the allurement of the wicked woman.
1. house—(compare Pr 8:34).
her—or, "its" (the house).
seven pillars—the number seven for many, or a sufficiency (Pr 6:31).
2. mingled—to enhance the flavor (Pr 23:30; Isa 5:22).
furnished—literally, "set out," "arranged."
3. maidens—servants to invite (compare Ps 68:11; Isa 40:9).
highest places—ridges of heights, conspicuous places.
4-6. (Compare Pr 1:4; 6:32). Wisdom not only supplies right but forbids wrong principles.
7, 8. shame—(Compare Pr 3:35).
a blot—or, "stain on character." Both terms denote the evil done by others to one whose faithfulness secures a wise man's love.
9. The more a wise man learns, the more he loves wisdom.
10. (Compare Pr 1:7).
of the holy—literally, "holies," persons or things, or both. This knowledge gives right perception.
11. (Compare Pr 3:16-18; 4:10).
12. You are mainly concerned in your own conduct.
13. foolish woman—or literally, "woman of folly," specially manifested by such as are described.
clamorous—or, "noisy" (Pr 7:11).
knoweth nothing—literally, "knoweth not what," that is, is right and proper.
14. on a seat—literally, "throne," takes a prominent place, impudently and haughtily.
15, 16. to allure those who are right-minded, and who are addressed as in Pr 9:4, as
simple—that is, easily led (Pr 1:4) and unsettled, though willing to do right.
17. The language of a proverb, meaning that forbidden delights are sweet and pleasant, as fruits of risk and danger.
18. (Compare Pr 2:18, 19; 7:27).