Proverbs 9:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

NIV: But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

NASB: But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

CSB: But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

NLT: But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

KJV: But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

NKJV: But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

Wisdom, depicted as a noble woman inviting people to a feast, offers life and safety to those who listen to her (Proverbs 9:1–6, 10–12). Her mirror image, Folly, lies to disguise the fact that her invitation (Proverbs 9:13–17) leads to death. The repeated lesson of the book of Proverbs is that true wisdom begins with respect for God (Proverbs 1:7; 15:33; Psalm 111:10; Job 28:28). Those who ignore God are defying the very source of creation (Genesis 1:1) and are setting themselves on a path to absolute destruction (John 3:36). Foolishness has its attractions (Proverbs 7:7–27), but it's not a viable alternative to truth.

This contrast was demonstrated in the very first instance of sin. Apparently, Eve did not believe God's pronouncement that eating the forbidden fruit would incur death, although God had said plainly, "In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17). She chose to believe Satan's lie: "You will not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). She learned the hard way that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Since the days of Adam and Eve sinners have been under the sentence of death (Romans 5:12; 6:23), and will experience eternal death in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1–15) unless they turn from sin to trust in Jesus as their Savior. John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Proverbs 9:13–18 closes the chapter by describing Folly's call and the tragedy of succumbing to it. Solomon began this chapter of Proverbs with a call from a proverbial Lady Wisdom, for others to feast at her table. Between the two sections of this chapter, he presented two different responses to the call. A wise person responds positively, but a scoffer rejects the call. The depiction of Folly mirrors that of wisdom: making similar invitations, but with drastically different results. This parallels the evil temptations of the adulterous woman described earlier (Proverbs 7:7–27).

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.

In chapter 7, Solomon portrayed an evil woman (Proverbs 7:7–27). In chapter 8 he portrays wisdom as a refined lady who offers instruction to all who heed her call. Chapter 9 contrasts Lady Wisdom with the evil Woman Folly, who lures the foolish to their ruin. This extended warning about the dangers of rejecting God's wisdom leads into an extended collection of standalone proverbial comments, beginning in chapter 10.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.