Proverbs

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31

Proverbs 9 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Proverbs 9 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

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 Come, 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.

7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

"Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."
Has the ever been a just person?

See Matthew 1:19.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

(9:13-18) We are warned again about "foolish women" who are "simple" and "knoweth nothing," who drag their guests into "the depths of hell."

If there are foolish women, it must be there are also women who are not foolish. But I suppose the author of the SAB makes this remark to complain that the Bible or this book has a biased attitude towards women. Which is simply not true, see for example chapter 2:16.
But next we look at the context which demonstrates how foolish this statement of the author of the SAB is. In this chapter wisdom and foolish speak, in the guise of two women. One is wise and she calls people to her, verses 3-6. So how can this chapter be insulting to women if the supreme wisdom is a woman?
Foolishness also speaks, and also appears as a woman. And she calls people as well, verses 15-17.
To whom of these two women do we listen?

14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:

16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

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