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Proverbs 25:24

Proverbs 25:24 in Multiple Translations

Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.

It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house.

Better to sit on a corner of a roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions, and a house of company.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

It is better to live ◄alone/by yourself► in the corner of an attic/housetop than to live inside the house with a wife who is always nagging.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 25:24

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Proverbs 25:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB ט֗וֹב שֶׁ֥בֶת עַל פִּנַּת גָּ֑ג מֵ/אֵ֥שֶׁת מדונים מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים וּ/בֵ֥ית חָֽבֶר
ט֗וֹב ṭôwb H2896 pleasant Adj
שֶׁ֥בֶת yâshab H3427 to dwell V-Qal-Inf-a
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
פִּנַּת pinnâh H6438 corner N-fs
גָּ֑ג gâg H1406 roof N-ms
מֵ/אֵ֥שֶׁת ʼishshâh H802 woman Prep | N-fs
מדונים mâdôwn H4066 strife N-mp
מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים midyân H4079 contention N-mp
וּ/בֵ֥ית bayith H1004 place Conj | N-ms
חָֽבֶר cheber H2267 spell N-ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 25:24

ט֗וֹב ṭôwb H2896 "pleasant" Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
שֶׁ֥בֶת yâshab H3427 "to dwell" V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פִּנַּת pinnâh H6438 "corner" N-fs
This word refers to a corner or an angle, like a pinnacle or a chief ruler. It's used in descriptions of buildings, cities, and leaders in the Bible, like in Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) corner 1a) corner (of square objects) 1b) corner (of ruler or chief-fig.) Also means: pen (פֵּן "Corner" H6434)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: bulwark, chief, corner, stay, tower. See also: Exodus 27:2; Psalms 118:22; Proverbs 7:8.
גָּ֑ג gâg H1406 "roof" N-ms
The Hebrew word for roof, or the top of an altar, like the one in the temple in Jerusalem.
Definition: 1) roof, top, housetop 1a) roof (of house) 1b) top (of altar of incense)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house). See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Kings 23:12; Psalms 102:8.
מֵ/אֵ֥שֶׁת ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
מדונים mâdôwn H4066 "strife" N-mp
This word signifies strife or contention, describing a state of conflict or argument, as seen in KJV translations like brawling or discord. It is often used to describe disagreements or quarrels between people.
Definition: 1) strife, contention 1a) strife, contention 1b) object of contention
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: brawling, contention(-ous), discord, strife. Compare H4079 (מִדְיָן), H4090 (מְדָן). See also: Psalms 80:7; Proverbs 23:29; Proverbs 6:14.
מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים midyân H4079 "contention" N-mp
Means contention or strife, describing a quarrel or dispute, as seen in the KJV translation of brawling or contention.
Definition: strife, contention
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: brawling, contention(-ous). See also: Proverbs 18:18; Proverbs 21:19; Proverbs 18:19.
וּ/בֵ֥ית bayith H1004 "place" Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
חָֽבֶר cheber H2267 "spell" N-ms
This word refers to a society, association, or spell, and can also mean a magician or charmer. It appears in the Old Testament, including in the book of Deuteronomy, often in the context of forbidden practices. It can also refer to a group or company of people.
Definition: 1) association, company, band 2) shared, association, society 3) a magician, charmer, spell
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] charmer(-ing), company, enchantment, [idiom] wide. See also: Deuteronomy 18:11; Proverbs 25:24; Psalms 58:6.

Study Notes — Proverbs 25:24

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
2 Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
3 Proverbs 27:15–16 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.
4 Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Proverbs 25:24 Summary

This verse is saying that it's better to be alone and have peace than to be with someone who is always arguing and fighting, as seen in Proverbs 25:24. A quarrelsome spirit can be very draining and stressful, as warned against in Proverbs 21:9, but a peaceful and loving relationship, like the one described in Ephesians 5:22-33, can be a source of joy and strength. By prioritizing communication, conflict resolution, and mutual respect, we can build stronger, more harmonious relationships, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29-32. Remember, God values peace and harmony, as seen in Psalm 34:14, and wants us to cultivate these qualities in our relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to live on a corner of the roof?

This phrase is a metaphor for living in solitude and peace, rather than in a state of constant conflict, as seen in Proverbs 25:24, and is reminiscent of the peaceful solitude found in Psalm 23:2-3.

Is this verse saying that all wives are quarrelsome?

No, the verse is not making a blanket statement about all wives, but rather warning against the dangers of a quarrelsome spirit, as also seen in Proverbs 21:9 and Proverbs 21:19, which emphasize the importance of a peaceful and harmonious home.

How can I identify if I am in a quarrelsome relationship?

A quarrelsome relationship is characterized by constant conflict, argument, and strife, as warned against in Proverbs 25:24, and is in contrast to the peaceful and loving relationship described in Ephesians 5:22-33, where mutual respect and submission are key.

What can I do if I am in a relationship with a quarrelsome person?

If you find yourself in a relationship with a quarrelsome person, seek wisdom from God, as in James 1:5, and consider seeking counsel from a trusted pastor or mentor, as in Proverbs 11:14, to navigate the situation in a way that honors God and promotes peace.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can cultivate a peaceful and harmonious spirit in my own relationships, as encouraged in Proverbs 25:24?
  2. How can I prioritize communication and conflict resolution in my relationships, as seen in Ephesians 4:29-32?
  3. What are some warning signs that I may be contributing to a quarrelsome atmosphere in my relationships, and how can I address these issues, as in Matthew 5:23-24?
  4. How can I balance the need for solitude and peace with the importance of nurturing my relationships, as in Proverbs 25:24 and Matthew 22:37-40?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 25:24

[It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. [See comments on Proverbs 21:9].

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 25:24

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 25:24

Proverbs 25:24 [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.Ver. 24. It is better to dwell, &c.]

Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 25:24

(24) It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop.—See above on Proverbs 21:9.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 25:24

Verse 24. It is better to dwell in a corner] See Clarke on Proverbs 21:9.

Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 25:24

24. See Proverbs 21:9, and note.

Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 25:24

Compare the Proverbs 21:9 note.

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 25:24

24. Substantially the same as Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 21:19, which see.

Sermons on Proverbs 25:24

SermonDescription
Tim Conway Choosing a Wife - Beauty Is Vain by Tim Conway This sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing a godly spouse over outward beauty or charm. It warns against the consequences of marrying a contentious or ungodly partner, highl
Zac Poonen (New Wine in New Wineskins) 3. God Needs Women by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen emphasizes the vital role of women in manifesting God's glory as originally intended at creation. He highlights that women are called to be helpers, mothers, and witness
Keith Daniel Couples Night - Part 5 by Keith Daniel This sermon delves into the challenges and dynamics of marriage, drawing examples from historical figures like John Wesley and biblical characters like David and his wife. It explo
Keith Daniel Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 3 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the preacher discusses the consequences of finding Christ in a home. He emphasizes the importance of free will and how it can affect one's relationship with God. Th
Jenny Daniel To Build or Not to Build by Jenny Daniel In this sermon, the speaker shares two stories from their family history to illustrate the challenges and trials they faced. The first story is about their grandmother, who experie
Keith Daniel A Son That Brings Shame by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of preaching the word of God and traveling across the nation. He recalls a powerful encounter with a man who commended him for fe

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