English Standard Version
Proverbs 21:9
9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
- New Living Translation (NLT)It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
Context of Proverbs 21:9
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. 8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 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 live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
- Proverbs 12:4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
- Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
- Proverbs 25:24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
- Proverbs 27:15A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
- Proverbs 15:17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
- Proverbs 17:1Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries