Proverbs 9:1-6

Proverbs 9:1-6

[1] Wisdom  hath builded  her house,  she hath hewn out  her seven  pillars:  [2] She hath killed  her beasts;  she hath mingled  her wine;  she hath also furnished  her table.  [3] She hath sent forth  her maidens:  she crieth  upon  the highest places  of the city,  [4] Whoso is simple,  let him turn in  hither: as for him that wanteth  understanding,  she saith  to him, [5] eat  of my bread,  and drink  of the wine  which I have mingled.  [6] Forsake  the foolish,  and live;  and go  in the way  of understanding. 

What does Proverbs 9:1-6 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The parallel between wisdom"s invitation and the one Jesus Christ extended to everyone to come to His feast illustrates the connection between wisdom and responding positively to God"s Word ( Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24). The "seven pillars" ( Proverbs 9:1) may represent a typical banquet pavilion, or they may be an allusion to the cosmos (cf. Proverbs 8:22-31) that God made in seven days. Some of the ancients envisioned the world as resting on seven pillars. Possibly the seven pillars refer to seven sections of text in chapters2-7. [1] "Seven" to the Jews indicated perfection. Wisdom"s invitation ( Proverbs 9:5) sounds like a gospel invitation (cf. John 6:51; John 6:55). The parallel between wisdom and walking in God"s ways (godliness) is again clear in this pericope.