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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 9:18 But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/9-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_09_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 9:18 - The Way of Folly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/9-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/9-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/9-17.htm" title="Proverbs 9:17">◄</a> Proverbs 9:18 <a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm" title="Proverbs 10:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.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/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he knoweth not that the dead <i>are</i> there; <i>and that</i> her guests <i>are</i> in the depths of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But he does not know that the dead <i>are</i> there, <i>That</i> her guests <i>are</i> in the depths of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he does not know that the dead are there, <i>That</i> her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But he does not know that the dead are there, <i>That</i> her guests are in the depths of Sheol. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But he does not know that the dead are there, <i>That</i> those she called are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But he does not know that the spirits of the dead are there, And that her guests are [already] in the depths of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he doesn&#8217t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />None who listen to Stupidity understand that her guests are as good as dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he knoweth not that the dead are there; that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Her victims do not know that the people die who go to her house, that those who have already entered are now deep in the world of the dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But he does not realize that the dead lurk there, and her invited guests wind up in the depths of Sheol. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he doesn't know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he has not known that Rephaim [are] there, "" Her invited ones in deep places of Sheol!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he hath not known that Rephaim are there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he knew not that there the shades; her called ones in the depths of hades.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell. The Parables of Solomon <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he did not know that giants are there, and that her companions are in the depths of Hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Little do they know that the shades are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But he does not know that the mighty men perish with her and that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Now rise up, and do not abide in that place; do not cast your eye at her; thus pass by the waters of strangers; cross over a strange river, and turn away from the waters of strangers; you shall not drink of the waters of strangers. For in doing so a multitude of days and years of life shall be added to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he does not know that mighty men perish in her presence, and all that are summoned to her are in the depths of Sheol; but do not tarry in that place, and do not let your eye be caught by her, for so you should pass by the waters of strangers and the river of foreigners, and from the waters of foreigners you should not drink, so that many days and years of life will be added to you. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But he knoweth not that the shades are there; That her guests are in the depths of the nether-world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But he knows that mighty men die by her, and he falls in with a snare of hell. But hasten away, delay not in the place, neither fix thine eye upon her: for thus shalt thou go through strange water; but do thou abstain from strange water, and drink not of a strange fountain, that thou mayest live long, and years of life may be added to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/9-18.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=1649" 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 Folly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">But they do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7496.htm" title="7496: rə·p̄ā·’îm (N-mp) -- Shades, ghosts. From rapha' in the sense of raphah; properly, lax, i.e. a ghost.">the dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">are there,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qə·ru·’e·hā (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mpc:: 3fs) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">that her guests</a> <a href="/hebrew/6012.htm" title="6012: bə·‘im·qê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Deep, unfathomable. From amaq; deep.">are in the depths</a> <a href="/hebrew/7585.htm" title="7585: šə·’ō·wl (N-cs) -- Or shol; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead, including its accessories and inmates.">of Sheol.</a> </span><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="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-15.htm">James 1:15</a></span><br />Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">Proverbs 7:27</a></span><br />Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Isaiah 5:14</a></span><br />Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4</a></span><br />Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-8.htm">Galatians 6:8</a></span><br />The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-17.htm">Psalm 9:17</a></span><br />The wicked will return to Sheol—all the nations who forget God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/24-19.htm">Job 24:19</a></span><br />As drought and heat consume the melting snow, so Sheol steals those who have sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-23.htm">Luke 16:23</a></span><br />In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm">Isaiah 14:9</a></span><br />Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you—all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-29.htm">John 5:29</a></span><br />and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.</p><p class="hdg">he</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a></b></br> The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> the beginning of knowledge: <i>but</i> fools despise wisdom and instruction.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/82-5.htm">Psalm 82:5</a></b></br> They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">2 Peter 3:5</a></b></br> For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:</p><p class="hdg">the dead</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Proverbs 2:18,19</a></b></br> For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-5.htm">Proverbs 5:5</a></b></br> Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-26.htm">Proverbs 6:26</a></b></br> For by means of a whorish woman <i>a man is brought</i> to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-28.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-24.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/job/19-15.htm">Guests</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/job/1-4.htm">Invited</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-10.htm">Little</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-14.htm">Places</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Rephaim</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Shades</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-27.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-4.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-7.htm">Guests</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-7.htm">Invited</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-20.htm">Little</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-13.htm">Places</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Rephaim</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Shades</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Underworld</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 the context of Proverbs, wisdom and folly are often personified as women inviting people to their respective houses. The "dead" here refers to those who have succumbed to folly's temptations, leading to spiritual death. This aligns with the biblical theme that sin leads to death, as seen in <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>. The imagery of the dead being present suggests a hidden danger, emphasizing the deceptive nature of sin. The Hebrew word for "dead" can also imply shades or spirits, indicating a realm of spiritual death and separation from God.<p><b>that her guests are in the depths of Sheol</b><br>Sheol in ancient Hebrew culture was understood as the abode of the dead, a shadowy place of silence and forgetfulness. It is not equivalent to the later Christian concept of hell but rather a place where all the dead reside, both righteous and wicked, as seen in <a href="/job/3-13.htm">Job 3:13-19</a>. The "depths of Sheol" suggest a profound separation from the living and from God, symbolizing ultimate spiritual ruin. This phrase serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting wisdom and embracing folly. The imagery of "guests" implies that those who follow folly are not merely passing through but have taken up residence, indicating a settled state of spiritual death. This can be contrasted with the invitation of wisdom, which leads to life and understanding, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Proverbs 9:6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_simple.htm">The Simple</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, the simple are those who lack wisdom and discernment. They are easily led astray by folly.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/folly.htm">Folly</a></b><br>Personified as a woman in <a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">Proverbs 9</a>, Folly represents foolishness and the seductive nature of sin that leads people away from wisdom and righteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dead.htm">The Dead</a></b><br>Refers to those who have succumbed to the ways of folly and are spiritually dead, separated from the life that wisdom offers.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from God. It symbolizes the ultimate consequence of following folly.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom's_banquet.htm">Wisdom's Banquet</a></b><br>In contrast to Folly's invitation, Wisdom also invites people to a banquet, offering life and understanding to those who accept her call.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_nature_of_sin.htm">The Deceptive Nature of Sin</a></b><br>Sin often appears attractive and harmless, but its end is spiritual death. Believers must be vigilant and discerning, recognizing the true nature of folly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wisdom.htm">The Importance of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge but a way of life that aligns with God's will. Pursuing wisdom leads to life, while ignoring it leads to destruction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_choices.htm">The Consequences of Choices</a></b><br>Every choice has consequences. Choosing folly leads to separation from God, while choosing wisdom leads to life and peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_discernment.htm">The Call to Discernment</a></b><br>Christians are called to discern between the voices of wisdom and folly. This requires a deep relationship with God and a commitment to His Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_realms.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Realms</a></b><br>The Bible speaks of spiritual realities like Sheol, reminding us that our choices have eternal implications. We must live with an awareness of these truths.<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/who_is_abaddon_apollyon.htm">Who is Abaddon or Apollyon in religious texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'stolen_water_is_sweet'_mean.htm">What does "Stolen Water is Sweet" mean?</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/how_do_sheol_and_abaddon_align_today.htm">Proverbs 15:11: How do ancient concepts of Sheol and Abaddon align with modern historical or archaeological findings on the afterlife?</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>(18) <span class= "bld">The dead are there</span>.--Comp. on <a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm" title="For her house inclines to death, and her paths to the dead.">Proverbs 2:18</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - The deluded youth is supposed to be persuaded by the seductions of Folly and to enter her house. The writer, then, in a few weighty words, shows the terrible result of this evil compliance. <span class="cmt_word">But he knoweth not that the dead are there</span> (see on Proverbs 2:18 and Proverbs 7:27). There are none "there," in her house, who can be said to be living, they are <span class="accented">rephaim</span>, shadowy ghosts of living men, or else demons of the nether world. The Septuagint and Vulgate, with a reference to <a href="/genesis/6-4.htm">Genesis 6:4</a>, translate <span class="greek">γηγενεῖς</span> and <span class="accented">gigantes. <span class="cmt_word"></span>Her guests are in the depths of hell</span> (<span class="accented">sheol</span>); Septuagint, "He knows not that giants perish at her side, and he meets with a trap of hell." The terrible warning may profitably be repeated more than once, It is like Christ's awful saying, three times enunciated, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (<a href="/mark/9-44.htm">Mark 9:44, 46, 48</a>). The LXX. has another paragraph at the end of this verse, which has no counterpart in the Hebrew: "But start away, delay not in the place, nor put thy name ['eye,' <span class="accented">al</span>.] by her; for thus shalt thou pass over (<span class="greek">διαβήσῃ</span>) strange water; but abstain thou from strange water, and of a strange spring drink not, that thou mayest live long, and years of life may be added to thee." <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/9-18.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">But they do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭דַע</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dead</span><br /><span class="heb">רְפָאִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·p̄ā·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7496.htm">Strong's 7496: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shades, ghosts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are there,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that her guests</span><br /><span class="heb">קְרֻאֶֽיהָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ru·’e·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] in the depths</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעִמְקֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘im·qê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6012.htm">Strong's 6012: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deep, unfathomable</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Sheol.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁא֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7585.htm">Strong's 7585: </a> </span><span class="str2">Underworld (place to which people descend at death)</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 9:18 But he doesn't know that the dead (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/9-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 9:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 9:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 10:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 10:1" /></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>