New King James Version
Proverbs 21:9
9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
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 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 destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. 8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives 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 21:19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
- Proverbs 12:4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
- Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
- Proverbs 25:24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
- Proverbs 27:15A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;
- Proverbs 15:17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.
- Proverbs 17:1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries