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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/9-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/20_Pro_09_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 9:1 - The Way of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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she has set up its seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, She has carved out her seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house; She has hewn out <i>and</i> set up her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom hath builded her house; She hath hewn out her seven pillars:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house with its seven columns. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house and made seven columns for it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house. She has set up her seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, "" She has hewn out her pillars—seven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars -- seven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom built her house, she hewed out her seven pillars:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built a house for herself. She has hewn seven columns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WISDOM has built her house, she has set up in it seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Wisdom has built a house and she has set seven pillars in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her seven pillars;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/9-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1538" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">The Way of Wisdom</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥā·ḵə·mō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">Wisdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: bā·nə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">has built</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇê·ṯāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">her house;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2672.htm" title="2672: ḥā·ṣə·ḇāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- Or chatseb; a primitive root; to cut or carve, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave.">she has carved out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šiḇ·‘āh (Number-ms) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">her seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/5982.htm" title="5982: ‘am·mū·ḏe·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- A pillar, column. Or ammud; from amad; a column; also a stand, i.e. Platform.">pillars.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a></span><br />But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-25</a></span><br />Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a></span><br />but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a></span><br />in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28-30</a></span><br />Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></span><br />The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20-22</a></span><br />built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-3.htm">Hebrews 3:3-4</a></span><br />For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. / And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-4.htm">1 Peter 2:4-5</a></span><br />As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-14.htm">Revelation 21:14</a></span><br />The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Isaiah 28:16</a></span><br />So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Psalm 127:1</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-28</a></span><br />But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">Proverbs 8:1-3</a></span><br />Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? / On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. / Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">Proverbs 14:1</a></span><br />Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a></b></br> And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9-15</a></b></br> For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, <i>ye are</i> God's building… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20-22</a></b></br> And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner <i>stone</i>; … </p><p class="hdg">pillars</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/7-2.htm">1 Kings 7:2,3,6,21</a></b></br> He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof <i>was</i> an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Galatians 2:9</a></b></br> And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we <i>should go</i> unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/3-12.htm">Revelation 3:12</a></b></br> Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, <i>which is</i> new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and <i>I will write upon him</i> my new name.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/122-3.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/psalms/122-3.htm">Built</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-16.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/psalms/144-12.htm">Hewn</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">House</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-34.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/psalms/75-7.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-31.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-14.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-3.htm">Built</a> <a href="/songs/5-14.htm">Carved</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-10.htm">Hewn</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/songs/1-17.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-19.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-16.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-1.htm">The discipline</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-4.htm">and the doctrine of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-13.htm">The custom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-16.htm">and error of folly</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical literature, wisdom is often depicted as a divine attribute, reflecting God's order and design in creation. The imagery of building a house implies stability, permanence, and a place of refuge. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a house was not just a physical structure but a symbol of one's life and legacy. This aligns with the biblical theme that wisdom is foundational to a well-ordered life (<a href="/proverbs/24-3.htm">Proverbs 24:3-4</a>). The house can also be seen as a metaphor for the community or the people of God, where wisdom establishes a dwelling place for righteousness and truth.<p><b>she has carved out her seven pillars.</b><br>The number seven in the Bible often signifies completeness or perfection, as seen in the seven days of creation (Genesis 1) and the sevenfold Spirit of God (<a href="/revelation/1-4.htm">Revelation 1:4</a>). The "seven pillars" suggest a structure that is both complete and divinely ordained. In ancient architecture, pillars were essential for supporting large structures, indicating strength and stability. This can be interpreted as the comprehensive nature of wisdom, supporting all aspects of life. Theologically, the seven pillars may represent the fullness of God's wisdom, which is available to those who seek it. Some scholars see a connection to the sevenfold characteristics of wisdom found in <a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a>, which include purity, peace-loving, and mercy. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>), who establishes His church as a house built on the foundation of His teachings (<a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>Personified as a woman, Wisdom is depicted as a master builder, emphasizing her role in creating a stable and structured environment. In the Hebrew text, "Chokmah" is the word for wisdom, which is often associated with skill and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/house.htm">House</a></b><br>Represents a place of dwelling, safety, and community. In the context of Proverbs, it symbolizes the life and character built on wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/seven_pillars.htm">Seven Pillars</a></b><br>The number seven often signifies completeness or perfection in the Bible. The pillars suggest strength, stability, and the foundational aspects of wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_foundation_of_wisdom.htm">The Foundation of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom is foundational to a life that honors God. Just as a house requires a strong foundation, our lives require the stability that comes from living according to God's wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_completeness_of_wisdom.htm">The Completeness of Wisdom</a></b><br>The "seven pillars" suggest that wisdom is complete and perfect. We should seek the fullness of wisdom in every area of our lives, trusting that God's wisdom is sufficient for all our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/building_a_life_of_stability.htm">Building a Life of Stability</a></b><br>Like a well-built house, a life grounded in wisdom is stable and secure. We are called to construct our lives with the principles of wisdom, ensuring that we can withstand life's challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_invitation_of_wisdom.htm">The Invitation of Wisdom</a></b><br>Proverbs 9 continues with an invitation to partake in wisdom's feast. We are encouraged to actively pursue wisdom, making it a central part of our daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_wisdom's_'seven_pillars'_literal.htm">Proverbs 9:1 refers to “seven pillars” in Wisdom’s house. Is there any archaeological or historical evidence supporting these pillars, or is this purely metaphorical? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_seven_pillars_of_wisdom.htm">What are the seven pillars of wisdom?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_9_17_suggest_theft's_allure.htm">Proverbs 9:17 suggests stolen water is sweet. Does this imply that forbidden acts have inherent appeal, and how does this reconcile with other passages condemning theft? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_personification_over_concrete_proof.htm">Proverbs 9:13–18 presents Folly as another woman calling out to the naive. Why rely on personification instead of providing concrete historical or scientific validations for these moral teachings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">IX.</span><p>(o). <span class= "ital">Fifteenth Discourse: the Invitations of Wisdom and Folly </span>(Proverbs 9).<p>(1) <span class= "bld">Wisdom hath builded her house--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, in preparation for the feast to which she is about to invite her guests. It is not an unusual custom in the Old Testament to describe intimate communion with God, and the refreshment which the soul of man thereby receives, under the figure of a festival. Thus in <a href="/exodus/24-11.htm" title="And on the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.">Exodus 24:11</a>, when the elders of Israel were admitted to the vision of the Almighty, they "did eat and drink." The same idea occurs frequently in the prophets also (as <a href="/isaiah/25-6.htm" title="And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make to all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.">Isaiah 25:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/65-13.htm" title="Therefore thus said the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed:">Isaiah 65:13</a>; <a href="/context/zephaniah/1-7.htm" title="Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has bid his guests.">Zephaniah 1:7-8</a>); and is brought out in the New Testament with great fulness in the parables of the great supper (Luke 14) and the marriage of the king's son (Matthew 22). Christ, the supreme Wisdom, has "builded His house" by taking man's flesh at His Incarnation, and thus rearing for Himself a "temple of the Holy Ghost" (<a href="/john/2-19.htm" title="Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.">John 2:19</a>); and also by building for Himself a "spiritual house" (<a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm" title="You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.">1Peter 2:5</a>), "the house of God, which is the church of the living God" (<a href="/1_timothy/3-15.htm" title="But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.">1Timothy 3:15</a>). (For references to the Fathers, see Bishop Wordsworth.) In the previous chapter Christ's work as Creator was described; now He is set forth as Regenerator of mankind. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-18.</span> - 15. <span class="accented">Fifteenth admonitory discourse</span>, containing in a parabolic form an invitation of Wisdom (vers. 1-12), and that of her rival Folly (vers. 13-18). The chapter sums up in brief the warnings of the preceding part. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - Wisdom was represented as having a house at whose portals persons waited eagerly for admission (<a href="/proverbs/8-34.htm">Proverbs 8:34</a>); the idea is further carried on. <span class="cmt_word">Wisdom hath builded her house.</span> (For the plural form of <span class="accented">khochmoth</span>, "wisdom," a plural of excellency, see on Proverbs 1:20.) As the "strange woman" in ch. 7. possessed a house to which she seduced her victim, so Wisdom is represented as having a house which she has made and adorned, and to which she invites her pupils. Spiritual writers see here two references - one to Christ's incarnation, when he built for himself a human body (<a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19</a>); and another to his work in forming the Church, which is his mystical body (<a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a>). And the sublime language used in this section is not satisfied with the bare notion that we have here only an allegorical representation of Wisdom calling followers to her. Rather we are constrained to see a Divine intimation of the office and work of Christ, not only the Creator of the world, as in ch. 8, but its Regenerator. <span class="cmt_word">She hath hewn out her seven pillars</span>. Architecturally, according to Hitzig and others, the pillars of the inner court are meant, which supported the gallery of the first story. Four of these were m the corners, three in the middle of three sides, while the entrance to the court was through the fourth side of the square. The number seven generally denotes perfection; it is the covenant number, expressive of harmony and unity generally, the signature of holiness and blessing, completeness and rest. So in the Apocalypse the whole Church is represented by the number of seven Churches (<a href="/revelation/1-4.htm">Revelation 1:4</a>, etc.; see on Proverbs 26:16). Wisdom's house is said to be thus founded because of its perfection and adaptability to all states of men. But doubtless there is a reference to the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, which rested upon the Christ (<a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a>, etc.), and which are the support and strength of the Church, being symbolized by the seven-branched candlestick in the temple. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/9-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Wisdom</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֭כְמוֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḵə·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2454.htm">Strong's 2454: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom, every wise woman </span><br /><br /><span class="word">has built</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּנְתָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(bā·nə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her house;</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵיתָ֑הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇê·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she has carved out</span><br /><span class="heb">חָצְבָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ṣə·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2672.htm">Strong's 2672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pillars.</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mū·ḏe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5982.htm">Strong's 5982: </a> </span><span class="str2">A column, a stand, platform</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/9-1.htm">Proverbs 9:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/9-1.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house (Prov. 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