Proverbs 9:13
Proverbs 9:13 in Multiple Translations
The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
¶ A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
The foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knoweth nothing.
The foolish woman is full of noise; she has no sense at all.
Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant woman who doesn't know anything.
A foolish woman is troublesome: she is ignorant, and knoweth nothing.
A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
Foolish women talk loudly; they are ignorant and are never ashamed of the wrong things that they do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 9:13
BAB
Word Study
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Proverbs 9:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֵ֣שֶׁת
כְּ֭סִילוּת
הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה
פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת
וּ/בַל
יָ֥דְעָה
מָּֽה
אֵ֣שֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
כְּ֭סִילוּת
kᵉçîylûwth
H3687
stupidity
N-fs
הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה
hâmâh
H1993
to roar
V-Qal
פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת
pᵉthayûwth
H6615
naivite
N-fs
וּ/בַל
bal
H1077
not
Conj | Part
יָ֥דְעָה
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
מָּֽה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 9:13
אֵ֣שֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
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.
כְּ֭סִילוּת
kᵉçîylûwth
H3687
"stupidity"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means foolishness or stupidity. It describes a lack of wisdom and understanding. The Bible warns against foolishness and encourages wise living.
Definition: foolishness, stupidity
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: foolish. See also: Proverbs 9:13.
הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה
hâmâh
H1993
"to roar"
V-Qal
To make a loud noise, like roaring or moaning, is what this Hebrew word means. It can also imply a state of turmoil or commotion, like in the book of Jeremiah where it describes a city in uproar.
Definition: 1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to growl 1a2) to murmur (fig. of a soul in prayer) 1a3) to roar 1a4) to be in a stir, be in a commotion 1a5) to be boisterous, be turbulent
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar. See also: 1 Kings 1:41; Song of Solomon 5:4; Psalms 39:7.
פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת
pᵉthayûwth
H6615
"naivite"
N-fs
This word means being naive or simple, like someone who is easily deceived. It is used in Proverbs 14:15, where Solomon warns against being gullible. It requires discernment to avoid being simple.
Definition: simplicity, naivete
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: simple. See also: Proverbs 9:13.
וּ/בַל
bal
H1077
"not"
Conj | Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means not or nothing, often used to show something is absent or non-existent. It appears in various forms, like lest or neither. The KJV Bible translates it in different ways, including not or none.
Definition: not, hardly, else
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: lest, neither, no, none (that...), not (any), nothing. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:30; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 10:4.
יָ֥דְעָה
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מָּֽה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 9:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 9:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 9:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 9:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 9:13
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 9:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
- Sermons on Proverbs 9:13
Context — The Way of Folly
11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
13The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing.
14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city, 15calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 7:11 | She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home. |
| 2 | Proverbs 5:6 | She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable. |
| 3 | 1 Timothy 6:4 | he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, |
| 4 | Proverbs 21:19 | Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. |
| 5 | Proverbs 21:9 | Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
Proverbs 9:13 Summary
The woman named Folly in Proverbs 9:13 represents the kind of foolish and unwise behavior that can lead us away from God and towards destruction. She is loud and naive, lacking discernment and understanding, and her actions are guided by foolishness rather than wisdom. This verse warns us to avoid her example and instead seek wisdom and understanding, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:1-6 and James 1:5-8. By choosing the path of wisdom, we can experience the blessings and benefits that come from following God's ways, as promised in Proverbs 3:1-4 and Psalm 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the woman named Folly represent in Proverbs 9:13?
The woman named Folly represents the opposite of wisdom, symbolizing foolish and unwise behavior, as warned against in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10.
Why is the woman named Folly described as loud and naive?
The woman named Folly is loud and naive because she lacks discernment and understanding, as described in Proverbs 9:13, and her actions are guided by foolishness rather than wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 12:15.
How does the description of the woman named Folly relate to our everyday lives?
The description of the woman named Folly serves as a warning to us to avoid foolish and destructive behavior, and to instead seek wisdom and understanding, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:1-6 and James 1:5-8.
What can we learn from the contrast between wisdom and folly in Proverbs 9?
The contrast between wisdom and folly in Proverbs 9 teaches us that wisdom leads to life and blessings, while folly leads to destruction and chaos, as seen in Proverbs 9:1-6 and Proverbs 9:13-18, and reminds us to choose the path of wisdom, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 30:19 and Psalm 119:105.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be acting foolishly, and how can I apply the wisdom of God to those areas?
- How can I distinguish between the voice of wisdom and the voice of folly in my decision-making process?
- What are some common temptations or distractions that can lead me away from the path of wisdom, and how can I guard against them?
- In what ways can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's wisdom, and how can I apply that wisdom to my relationships and daily choices?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 9:13
A foolish woman [is] clamorous,.... Some by this woman understand folly itself, as opposed to wisdom; others blind reason, ignorant of divine things; others carnal sensual pleasure, which entices and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 9:13
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. A foolish woman (is) clamorous; (she is) simple, and knoweth nothing. As Wisdom was personified as a woman, so is Folly - i:e., sin.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
A foolish woman; by which he understands, either, 1. Folly, which is opposite to that wisdom of which he hath been so long discoursing; and so it may include all wickedness, either in principle, as idolatry, heresy, &c., or in practice. Or, 2. The harlot; which, with submission, seems most probable to me, partly because all the following description exactly agrees to her, especially what is said , as also , which in effect was said of the harlot before, 5:5; and partly because such transitions from discoursing of wisdom, to a discourse of harlots, are frequent in Solomon, as we have seen, 5:3 7:5. Is clamorous; speaks loudly, that she may be heard; and vehemently, that persons might be moved by her persuasions. Knoweth nothing; to wit, aright, nothing that is good, nothing for her good, though she be subtle in little artifices for her own wicked ends.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing.Ver. 13. A foolish woman is clamorous.] This woman is "folly," as that woman sitting in the ephah is "wickedness." Lavater is of the opinion, that as by wisdom is meant Christ, so by this foolish woman here is meant antichrist, to whom therefore he finally fitteth and applieth all the following words. Is clamorous.] Folly is full of words, and of a lavish tongue; her factors are extremely talkative, and usually lay on more words than the matter will bear. A great deal of small talk you shall usually have from them. "A fool also is full of words," saith Solomon; and this fond custom of his is there expresscd by way of imitation in his vain tautologies, "A man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell?" The basest things are ever the most plentiful. Some kind of mice breed a hundred and twenty young ones in one nest; whereas the lion and elephant bear but one at once; so the least wit yields the most words. Aristophanes and Lucian, when they describe fools, they call them κεχηιοτας - gapers, or open-mouthed. Guiltiness is ever clamorous, and the most lewd are most loud.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
(13) A foolish woman.—Rather, the Foolish woman; Folly personified, in opposition to Wisdom described above. Clamorous.—Not of dignified mien, as her rival. Simple.—Heb., simplicity, i.e., she is simplicity itself. And knoweth nothing.—And so leaves room for all evil to enter in and dwell with her (Matthew 12:45); thus she perishes, like Israel, for “lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
Verse 13. A foolish woman is clamorous] Vain, empty women, are those that make most noise. And she that is full of clamour, has generally little or no sense. We have had this character already, see Proverbs 7:11. The translation of the Septuagint is very remarkable: Γυνηαφρωνκαιθρασεια, ενδεηςψωμουγινεται, "A lewd and foolish woman shall be in need of a morsel of bread."
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 9:13
Proverbs 9:13-18. The Introduction, or first main division of the Book, ends with the contrasted picture of Folly. She too has her house, at the door of which she sits (Proverbs 9:14); she too, though the charm of secrecy is added to her enticements (Proverbs 9:17), is seen flaunting shamelessly, in the high places of the city (Proverbs 9:14), and bruits abroad her noisy invitation, not only to attract the vicious (Proverbs 9:16), but to beguile, if it may be, the passers by who are going right on their way (Proverbs 9:15).
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 9:13
The picture of the harlot as the representative of the sensual life, the Folly between which and Wisdom the young man has to make his choice (Proverbs 9:3 note). “Simple,” in the worst sense, as open to all forms of evil.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 9:13
PICTURE OF WISDOM’S — THE HARLOT, Proverbs 9:13-18. The foolish woman of this passage is vividly drawn in contrast with the hhokmah, Wisdom, and may be taken as the type or incarnation of carnal
Sermons on Proverbs 9:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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How to Handle Biblical Paradoxes by Brent Barnett | Brent Barnett delves into the mysteries found in Scripture that surpass human understanding, such as the Trinity, predestination, and God's sovereignty, emphasizing the importance |
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Completely Dedicated to Christ: Are We? by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon on Envy, the preacher delves into the destructive nature of envy, describing it as a feeling of discontent and resentment towards others' possessions or qualities. E |
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A Letter to a Magazine on the Subject of Dr. Pusey's Tract on Baptism by J.H. Newman | The Editor of the Magazine questions how clergymen reconcile their consciences with the Homilies calling Rome 'Antichrist,' while holding the doctrines of the Tracts. The response |
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Of Over-Rash Censuring Others of Covetousness by William Gouge | William Gouge preaches about the sin of covetousness, cautioning against hasty judgments of others and emphasizing the importance of self-reflection. He highlights the danger of co |
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Something Must Be Done (Part One) by Gardiner Spring | The preacher delves into the concept of malice (kakia) as a quality of wickedness, depravity, and ill-will, highlighting its destructive nature and the root of various vices. Kakia |
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Epistle 244 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the importance of staying true to the pure power of the Lord God and His truth, emphasizing the need to cleanse our hearts from impurities and disobedienc |
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Pride by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot delivers a powerful sermon on the detestable nature of pride and arrogance, highlighting how pride is deeply rooted in the human heart and is considered the 'sin of si |