Proverbs 21:9 kjv

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21:9 nkjv

Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Proverbs 21:9 niv

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:9 esv

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:9 nlt

It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 9 Meaning

Proverbs 21:9 declares that the value of inner peace and tranquility far surpasses the comfort and security of a grand dwelling when it is shared with a contentious person. It specifically highlights the disruptive nature of a quarrelsome wife, asserting that a cramped, exposed, and isolated space on a housetop is preferable to a comfortable house filled with constant strife and nagging. This verse underscores wisdom's preference for serenity over material ease.

Proverbs 21 9 Context

Proverbs 21 is a chapter filled with wise sayings contrasting righteousness and wickedness, focusing on various aspects of life, including kingship, justice, the nature of fools and wise individuals, and the outcomes of different behaviors. It frequently juxtaposes the diligent and lazy, the humble and proud, and those who seek peace versus those who stir up strife. Verse 9 is one of several proverbs in the book that addresses the difficulties of domestic life, specifically mentioning a "quarrelsome wife" or "contentious woman," highlighting the profound negative impact constant conflict can have on a home's atmosphere and an individual's peace of mind. Culturally, the "housetop" (gag) in ancient Israel was a flat roof, often used for various purposes like drying grain, stargazing, prayer, or sleeping during warm summer nights. It was also a place to seek privacy or refuge from the crowded, communal living arrangements inside a house. The verse taps into this common understanding, suggesting that even a humble, exposed place offers more comfort than a luxurious one filled with incessant nagging.

Proverbs 21 9 Word analysis

• Better (טוֹב, tov): Not just "good" but often used comparatively in Proverbs to signify the superior or preferred choice, indicating divine wisdom's assessment of what truly leads to well-being. It expresses a value judgment and moral preference.
• to live (שֶׁבֶת, shevet): Implies residing or dwelling. It points to a long-term, established condition of life, not just a momentary stay.
• in a corner (בְּפִנַּת, be-pinnat): The word pinnah refers to a "corner," an edge or angle. In this context, it suggests a confined, possibly awkward, and exposed space. It evokes a sense of being isolated or separated from the main living area.
• of the housetop (גָּג, gag): Refers to the flat roof of a house, which was commonly used for outdoor living in the ancient Near East. Living on the gag meant exposure to the elements (sun, wind) but also offered quiet, privacy, and an escape from a noisy household. It's depicted as a less desirable, austere place.
• than in a house (מִבֵּית, mi-beit): Refers to the main dwelling, implying the typical, comfortable, and usually shared family home, contrasted with the discomfort of the roof.
• shared with a quarrelsome wife (אֵשֶׁת מִדְיָנִים, eshet midyanim):
  • wife (אֵשֶׁת, eshet): From ishshah, meaning "woman" or "wife." The context clearly points to a spouse within a household.
  • quarrelsome (מִדְיָנִים, midyanim): From madon, meaning "strife," "contention," "quarrel," or "dispute." The plural form emphasizes the persistent and pervasive nature of the conflict. This is not an occasional argument, but a chronic, unceasing state of discord caused by the individual's nature. It refers to someone habitually contentious, given to arguing, nagging, and bickering.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Better to live in a corner of the housetop": This phrase powerfully conveys the preference for physical discomfort or social isolation over constant internal strife. It is a hyperbolic expression meant to emphasize the severity of living with perpetual conflict. The roof corner represents the most minimal and exposed living space imaginable.
• "than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife": This contrasts the simplicity and lack of luxury of the rooftop with the supposed comfort and spaciousness of a well-furnished home, but critically, one made unbearable by perpetual arguments and bickering. The phrase highlights that material blessings cannot compensate for a lack of peace within the most intimate of relationships. It suggests that such a home loses its essence as a place of refuge and becomes a place of torment.

Proverbs 21 9 Bonus section

This proverb, along with its parallel verses, is often cited to emphasize the significant impact a spouse's character has on the quality of a marriage and home life. While specifically naming a "wife," the underlying principle of a contentious person ruining domestic peace is universally applicable. The use of the rooftop as an extreme alternative serves as a rhetorical device common in wisdom literature to impress upon the reader the profound unpleasantness and undesirability of the alternative. It’s a hyperbole that doesn't advise literal homelessness but starkly contrasts peace with discord. The proverbs concerning the contentious person often use vivid imagery (leaky roof, constant dripping) to highlight the inescapable, draining, and damaging nature of such behavior. It suggests that consistent conflict not only saps joy but also destroys the very fabric of rest and belonging that a home should provide.

Proverbs 21 9 Commentary

Proverbs 21:9 powerfully articulates the paramount importance of peace and tranquility within the home, even at the cost of material comfort. The verse is not a literal instruction to abandon one's home for the rooftop, but a hyperbolic proverb underscoring the severe negative impact of constant domestic contention. The "quarrelsome wife" is an example of anyone who brings habitual strife into a household—it could equally apply to a quarrelsome husband, child, or extended family member. The essence of the wisdom lies in recognizing that inner peace is more valuable than external circumstances or possessions. A home meant to be a sanctuary becomes a place of torment when filled with nagging, arguing, and dispute. True wisdom teaches prioritizing harmonious relationships and a peaceful atmosphere over physical luxury or societal expectations of a comfortable dwelling. This proverb reminds us that the quality of relationships determines the quality of life, emphasizing that a serene spirit in a humble abode surpasses a conflicted heart in a lavish mansion. It serves as a stark warning about the destructive power of uncontrolled speech and a contentious spirit.