Wisdom

Proverbs 9:1-4 Wisdom has builded her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars: She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table. She has sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wants understanding, she said to him…

‘Wisdom has builded her house.’ The personification of wisdom continues in this chapter. In Proverbs 8:1-36 she was manifested in all of God’s creation. Here she is the ruler of what she has built (9:1-12). In Proverbs 9:1-3 she is building a house, making a banquet, and sending out her maids to invite guests to partake of her bounties. She is pictured here as a builder, sculptress, butcher, and gracious hostess.

‘Sent forth her maidens.’ An Eastern custom. In the New Testament men are sent forth with banquet invitations (Matt. 22:3; Luke 14:17). The complete custom was that invitations were sent out to guests by a company of women, preceded by eunuchs. They went from door to door of the invited, delivering their message.

‘Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither.’ Their message to the simple and those who lack understanding is, to forsake the foolish things of life and live by going in the way of understanding (9:4-6).

‘Simple’ [Hebrew: pethiy] inconsiderate; unwary; artless, guileless, and unsuspecting; those who, through lack of knowledge and experience, act rashly and unwisely (1:22, 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4, 16; 14:15, 18; 19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12). Referring to those who are unsaved.

‘Understanding’ [Hebrew: leb] is translated as heart over 500 times in the Old Testament, 76 of which are in Proverbs (2:2, 10; 3:1, 3, 5; etc.). Also translated as understanding (9:4, 16; 6:32; 7:7; 10:13; 12:11; 15:32; 17:18; 24:30); and as wisdom (10:21; 11:12; 15:21; 19:8).