What does Proverbs 9:2 mean?
The symbolic version of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:1–4), is a woman with a grand home (Proverbs 9:1). This verse indicates that she is indeed wealthy and prepared for visitors. The process of butchering and preparing animals was not something done without planning. Likewise, the imagery of mixing wine and setting a table imply hospitality. Wisdom intends to invite others and treat those guests well (Proverbs 9:3–5).The mixing of wine, customarily, meant diluting it with water to make it more palatable. The Jews considered undiluted wine distasteful. Scholars believe the wine Jesus and His disciples drank at the Passover Feast was three parts water and one part wine. Another view of the mixing believes spices were added to the wine to make it more flavorful. Perhaps the mixing of the wine included both the addition of water and spices.
God has set a plentiful table for all who will accept His invitation to dine.
Proverbs 9:1–6 continues from chapter 8 by depicting wisdom as a woman. Here, she is a refined lady who has built a grand house and prepared a lavish feast. She calls out everywhere for those who are simple and lack judgment to participate as guests at her feast. This passage begins the chapter on a positive note, but a negative tone quickly follows. Foolishness, also depicted as a woman, will make similar invitations to those who lack sense.
Wisdom is portrayed as a dignified woman who prepares a spacious house and feast. She invites those who are gullible and lacking judgment to improve their wisdom, by accepting her invitation. She urges invitees to abandon their simple ways and walk in the way of insight. Solomon then contrasts the attitudes of those who sincerely seek truth, compared to those who hate being corrected. The chapter ends with a description of Wisdom's mirror image: Folly. She is seductive and ignorant. She invites the gullible to enter her house, promising that immorality is enjoyable and pleasant. Sadly, those who are seduced do not realize her invitation leads to ruin and damnation.
