Proverbs 9:18

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

American Standard Version (1901)

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Bible in Basic English

But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Free Bible Version

But they don't know that the dead are there, that those she's invited are in the depths of the grave.

Geneva Bible 1599

But he knoweth not, that ye dead are there, and that her ghestes are in the depth of hell.

King James (Authorized) Version

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

One Unity Resource Bible

But he does not know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol ·Place of the dead·.

Translation for Translators

But men who go to those women’s houses do not know that those who have gone there are now dead; they have descended down into the deepest parts of the place where dead people are.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But he does not know that the dead are there, that her invited guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Noah Webster Bible

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

World English Bible

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Young's Literal Translation

And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

Context

The Way of Folly

¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” ¹⁸But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Summary

This verse in Proverbs contrasts the temporary pleasure of stolen water and food eaten in secret with the lasting consequences of sin. It warns against the allure of sin, which may seem pleasurable at first but ultimately leads to destruction and death. The imagery used highlights the deceptive nature of sin, emphasizing the importance of choosing wisdom and righteousness over indulging in sinful desires. Ultimately, the verse serves as a cautionary reminder to seek what is good and virtuous, rather than being enticed by fleeting temptations.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

He goes within: 18 And he knows not that the dead are there; In the depths of Hades, her guests. How near to one another the house of the adulteress and Hades are, so that a man passes through the one into the other, is already stated in Pro 2:18; Pro 7:27. Here, in the concluding words of the introduction to the Book of Proverbs, addressed to youth, and for the most part containing warning against sinful pleasure, these two further declarations are advanced: the company assembled in the house of lewdness consists of רפאים, i.e., (cf. p. 83) the old, worn-out, who are only in appearance living, who have gone down to the seeming life of the shadowy existence of the kingdom of the dead; her (כסילות) invited ones (cf. Pro 7:26, her slaughtered ones) are in the depths of Hades (not in the valleys, as Umbreit, Lwenstein, and Ewald translate, but in the depths, Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, ἐπὶ τοῖς βαθέσι; for עמקי is not only plur. to עמק, but also per metaplasmum to עמק, Pro 25:3, as אמרי to אמר), thus in שׁאול תּחתּית (Deu 32:22); they have forsaken the fellowship of the life and of the love of God, and have sunk into the deepest destruction. The house of infamy into which Folly allures does not only lead to hell, it is hell itself; and they who permit themselves to be thus befooled are like wandering corpses, and already on this side of death are in the realm of wrath and of the curse. (Note: The lxx has considerable additions introduced after Pro 9:18, as also after Pro 9:12, of which we shall elsewhere speak.)

Proverbs 9:18

The Way of Folly

¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” ¹⁸But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

American Standard Version (1901)

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Bible in Basic English

But he does not see that the dead are there, that her guests are in the deep places of the underworld.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Free Bible Version

But they don't know that the dead are there, that those she's invited are in the depths of the grave.

Geneva Bible 1599

But he knoweth not, that ye dead are there, and that her ghestes are in the depth of hell.

King James (Authorized) Version

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

One Unity Resource Bible

But he does not know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol ·Place of the dead·.

Translation for Translators

But men who go to those women’s houses do not know that those who have gone there are now dead; they have descended down into the deepest parts of the place where dead people are.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But he does not know that the dead are there, that her invited guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Noah Webster Bible

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

World English Bible

But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Young's Literal Translation

And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

Proverbs 9:18

Verse

Context

The Way of Folly

Summary

Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Proverbs 9:18

The Way of Folly

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes