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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 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/20_Pro_21_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 21:9 - The King's Heart" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />It is better to live on a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />It is better to live in a corner of a roof, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's better to stay outside on the roof of your house than to live inside with a nagging wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better to sit on a corner of the roof, "" Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than with a woman of contentions and a house of company.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Good to dwell upon the corner of the roof rather than with a woman of strifes and a house of community.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a mansion with a quarrelsome woman. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />It is better to dwell alone in a corner of the housetop than to live with a quarrelsome woman in a large house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />It is better to sit on the corner of the roof than to dwell with a contentious woman.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than in a house in common with a contentious woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>It is</i> better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered <i>rooms</i> with unrighteousness, and in an open house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-9.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=4206" 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/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">Better</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: lā·še·ḇeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">to live</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6438.htm" title="6438: pin·naṯ- (N-fsc) -- A corner. Feminine of pen; an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain.">a corner</a> <a href="/hebrew/1406.htm" title="1406: gāḡ (N-ms) -- A roof, a top. Probably by reduplication from ga'ah; a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar.">of the roof</a> <a href="/hebrew/2267.htm" title="2267: ḥā·ḇer (N-ms) -- Company, association, spell. From chabar; a society; also a spell.">than to share</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ū·ḇêṯ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">a house</a> <a href="/hebrew/4079.htm" title="4079: miḏ·yā·nîm (N-mp) -- Brawling, contention. A variation for madown.">with a quarrelsome</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: mê·’ê·šeṯ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.…<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="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Proverbs 25:24</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13</a></span><br />A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Proverbs 27:15-16</a></span><br />A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— / restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4</a></span><br />A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17</a></span><br />Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Proverbs 17:1</a></span><br />Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a></span><br />And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9-10</a></span><br />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, / and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-24.htm">1 Samuel 25:24-25</a></span><br />She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25</a></span><br />(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Matthew 5:9</a></span><br />Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34-36</a></span><br />Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. / For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. / A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-51.htm">Luke 12:51-53</a></span><br />Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. / From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. / They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">1 Corinthians 7:15</a></span><br />But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.</p><p class="hdg">better</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4</a></b></br> A virtuous woman <i>is</i> a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed <i>is</i> as rottenness in his bones.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13</a></b></br> A foolish son <i>is</i> the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife <i>are</i> a continual dropping.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17</a></b></br> Better <i>is</i> a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Proverbs 17:1</a></b></br> Better <i>is</i> a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices <i>with</i> strife.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/41-1.htm">Angle</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-22.htm">Better</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Brawling</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-14.htm">Common</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Company</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Contentions</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-18.htm">Contentious</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-12.htm">Corner</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-31.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/psalms/102-7.htm">Housetop</a> <a href="/psalms/102-7.htm">House-Top</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-7.htm">Live</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Quarrelsome</a> <a href="/psalms/137-6.htm">Roof</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm">Share</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-17.htm">Shared</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-24.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Wide</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Angle</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Better</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Brawling</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm">Common</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Company</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Contentions</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Contentious</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Corner</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Housetop</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">House-Top</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Live</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Quarrelsome</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Roof</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Share</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Shared</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Wide</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Better to live on a corner of the roof</b><br>This phrase suggests a situation of extreme discomfort and isolation. In ancient Israelite architecture, roofs were flat and often used as additional living space. The "corner of the roof" implies a small, exposed area, vulnerable to the elements. This imagery highlights the severity of the situation being described. The Bible often uses the roof as a place of solitude or prayer, as seen in <a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Acts 10:9</a>, where Peter goes to the rooftop to pray. The emphasis here is on the preference for solitude over conflict, suggesting that peace of mind is more valuable than physical comfort.<p><b>than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife</b><br>The "quarrelsome wife" is a recurring theme in Proverbs, symbolizing discord and strife within the household. <a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13 and 27</a>:15 also mention the contentious wife, indicating the disruptive nature of constant conflict. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, the household was the center of life and community. A harmonious home was seen as a blessing, while a contentious one was a source of distress. The verse underscores the importance of a peaceful home environment, which is echoed in the New Testament's emphasis on love and mutual respect within marriage, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Ephesians 5:22-33</a>. The comparison suggests that spiritual and emotional well-being should take precedence over material or social considerations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights often reflect practical life experiences and divine wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_quarrelsome_wife.htm">The Quarrelsome Wife</a></b><br>Represents a contentious or argumentative person within a household. In the cultural context, the wife is often seen as a central figure in maintaining household harmony.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_corner_of_the_roof.htm">The Corner of the Roof</a></b><br>In ancient Israelite architecture, roofs were flat and often used as additional living space. The "corner of the roof" symbolizes a place of isolation and discomfort, yet preferable to a contentious environment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_peaceful_relationships.htm">The Value of Peaceful Relationships</a></b><br>The verse highlights the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in the home. A peaceful environment is more valuable than material comfort.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_contentiousness.htm">The Impact of Contentiousness</a></b><br>Constant arguing and strife can lead to isolation and discomfort, even in one's own home. It is crucial to address and resolve conflicts constructively.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_choosing_relationships.htm">Wisdom in Choosing Relationships</a></b><br>This proverb serves as a cautionary note on the importance of choosing a spouse wisely, considering character and temperament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_communication.htm">The Role of Communication</a></b><br>Effective communication and conflict resolution are essential in preventing quarrels and maintaining a harmonious household.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_growth_through_relationships.htm">Spiritual Growth through Relationships</a></b><br>Relationships, especially marriage, can be a means of spiritual growth, teaching patience, love, and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proverbs_21_9__is_it_biased_against_women.htm">Proverbs 21:9: Why does this verse single out a quarrelsome wife, and does it reflect a cultural bias that unjustly blames women for household conflict? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_and_where_is_the_holy_land.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on nagging?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_a_woman_propose_to_a_man.htm">Can a woman propose to a man?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_quarrelsome_women.htm">What does the Bible say about quarrelsome women?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop.--</span>Though there exposed to all the storms of heaven. The flat tops of houses were, in the East, used for exercise (<a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm" title="And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look on.">2Samuel 11:2</a>), sleeping, (<a href="/1_samuel/9-26.htm" title="And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send you away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.">1Samuel 9:26</a>), devotion (<a href="/acts/10-9.htm" title="On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:">Acts 10:9</a>), and various domestic purposes (<a href="/joshua/2-6.htm" title="But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.">Joshua 2:6</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop.</span> One is to think of the flat roof of an Eastern house, which was used as an apartment for many purposes: <span class="accented">e,g</span>. for sleeping and conference (<a href="/1_samuel/9-25.htm">1 Samuel 9:25, 26</a>), for exercise (<a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2</a>), for domestic matters (<a href="/joshua/2-6.htm">Joshua 2:6</a>), for retirement and prayer (<a href="/psalms/102-7.htm">Psalm 102:7</a>; <a href="/acts/10-9.htm">Acts 10:9</a>). This, though exposed to the inclemency of the weather, would be not an uncomfortable situation during a great part of the year. But the proverb implies a position abnormally inconvenient as an alternative preferable to a residence inside. Hence, perhaps, it is advisable to render, with Delitzsch, "Better to sit on the pinhole of a house roof." Septuagint, "It is better to dwell in a corner of a place open to the sky (<span class="greek">ὑπαίθρου</span>)." <span class="cmt_word">Than with a brawling</span> (<span class="accented">contentious</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>woman in a</span> <span class="cmt_word">wide</span> <span class="cmt_word">house;</span> literally, <span class="accented">a house of society</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> a house in common (comp. ver. 19 and <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Proverbs 25:24</a>). A solitary corner, replete with inconveniences, is to be preferred to house shared with woman, wife or other female relation, of a quarrelsome and vexatious temper. The LXX. puts the matter forcibly, "than in cieled rooms with unrighteousness and in a common house." So the Latin proverb, "Non quam late, sed quam laete habites, refert." The Scotch have a proverb to the same effect: "A house wi' a reek and a wife wi' a reerd (scold) will sune mak' a man run to the door." "I had rather dwell," says the Son of Sirach (Ecclus. 25:16), "with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-9.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">Better</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֗וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to live</span><br /><span class="heb">לָשֶׁ֥בֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·še·ḇeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a corner</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּנַּת־</span> <span class="translit">(pin·naṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6438.htm">Strong's 6438: </a> </span><span class="str2">An angle, a pinnacle, a chieftain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the roof</span><br /><span class="heb">גָּ֑ג</span> <span class="translit">(gāḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1406.htm">Strong's 1406: </a> </span><span class="str2">A roof, the top of an altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than to share</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽבֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2267.htm">Strong's 2267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Company, association, spell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a house</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבֵ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<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">with a quarrelsome</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(miḏ·yā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4079.htm">Strong's 4079: </a> </span><span class="str2">Brawling, contention </span><br /><br /><span class="word">wife.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ê·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>