Proverbs 21:9

Proverbs 21:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
• New International Version (NIV)Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Context of Proverbs 21:9

7The violence of the wicked will [return to them and] drag them away [like fish caught in a net], Because they refuse to act with justice. 8The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. 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. 10The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance]; His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes. 11When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise; But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Proverbs 21:9 word by word

ט֗וֹב לָשֶׁ֥בֶת עַל־פִּנַּת־גָּ֑ג מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים וּבֵ֥ית חָֽבֶר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• to dwellיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• in a cornerפִּנָּהpinnâh · cornerH6438
• of the housetopגָּגgâg · roofH1406
• than with a brawlingמָדוֹןmâdôn · strifeH4066
• than with a brawlingמִדְיָןmidyân · contentionH4079
• womanאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
• in a wideחֶ֫בֶרcheber · spellH2267
• houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: homeH1004

Cross-references for Proverbs 21:9

• Proverbs 21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and troublesome woman.
• Proverbs 12:4A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.
• Proverbs 19:13A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water].
• Proverbs 25:24It 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.
• Proverbs 27:15A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious (quarrelsome) woman are alike;
• Proverbs 15:17Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is present Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
• Proverbs 17:1Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.

Commentaries on Proverbs 21:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9In a corner of the housetop - A shed raised on the flat roof - a wide house; חבר בית beith chaber, "a house of fellowship;" what we should call a lodging-house, or a house occupied by several families. This was usual in the East, as well as in the West. Some think a house of festivity is meant: hence my old MS. Bible has, the hous and feste.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9A wide house - literally, “a house of companionship,” i. e., a house shared with her. The flat roof of an Eastern house was often used for retirement by day, or in summer for sleep by night. The corner of such a roof was exposed to all changes of weather, and the point of the proverb lies in the thought that all winds and storms which a man might meet with there are more endurable than the tempest within.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 It is best to shun bitter contention by pouring out the heart before God. For by prudence and patience, with constant prayer, the cross may be removed.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9A marriage that appears good from the outside, like in a beautiful home, is not fulfilling if it is full of arguments (see also Proverbs 21:19; 25:24; 27:15–17; compare 11:22; 12:4b). See the parallel passage in Proverbs 25:24Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. corner--a turret or arbor on the roof. brawling--or contentious. wide house--literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 21:9

• Family
• House
• Marriage
• Wife
• Women

In the dictionaries

• House
• Mind
• Ponder
• Toss
• Brawler
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Relationships, Family

Commentaries on Proverbs 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings