Proverbs 9:18 kjv

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

Proverbs 9:18 nkjv

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

Proverbs 9:18 niv

But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Proverbs 9:18 esv

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

Proverbs 9:18 nlt

But little do they know that the dead are there.
Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Proverbs 9 verses

Proverbs 9 18 Meaning

Proverbs 9:18 serves as a stark warning, revealing the grim reality hidden beneath the enticing facade of Folly. While Folly appears to offer immediate pleasure and readily available delights (Prov 9:17), those who turn aside to her are unknowingly walking towards spiritual and ultimate destruction. Her inviting banquet hall is, in truth, the domain of the departed, and her unsuspecting "guests" are already among the deceased, sinking into the deepest reaches of the underworld (Sheol). The verse highlights the perilous ignorance and self-deception of those who succumb to temptation, emphasizing that the path of foolishness, though appearing desirable, leads only to death.

Proverbs 9 18 Context

Proverbs chapter 9 vividly personifies Wisdom and Folly as two rival women, both extending invitations. The chapter opens with Lady Wisdom building her house, preparing a magnificent feast, and sending out her maidens to invite the simple and those lacking understanding to partake in her nourishing provisions (Prov 9:1-6). Her call is to "leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight." This section emphasizes wisdom's gracious and life-giving invitation.

In contrast, Folly (referred to as a "foolish woman," "loud," "seductive," and "knowing nothing" in Prov 9:13) also extends an invitation. She sits at the doorway of her house in the high places of the city, calling out to passersby who are "simple" or "lacking in sense" (Prov 9:14-16). Her enticement is that stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant (Prov 9:17) – a lure of illicit, forbidden pleasures that appeal to immediate gratification without regard for consequences. Proverbs 9:18 immediately follows Folly's deceptive offer, serving as a climactic revelation of the deadly truth behind her alluring words. It reveals what the unsuspecting guests do not know – that her house is actually a path to death. The verse dramatically concludes the contrasting portraits, making it unequivocally clear that choosing Folly's path is not merely unwise, but utterly fatal.

Proverbs 9 18 Word analysis

• But: This conjunction signifies a strong contrast, dramatically shifting from Folly's inviting words (verse 17) to the terrifying reality. It serves as a stark transition, revealing the hidden, deadly truth.
• he knoweth not: The Hebrew verb is yada' (יָדַע), meaning "to know," but here negated. This highlights the profound ignorance and lack of spiritual discernment on the part of the one being seduced by Folly. It's not just a lack of information, but a failure to comprehend the true nature of their choices and destination. This ignorance is either self-imposed blindness or the result of Folly's masterful deception.
• that the dead: The Hebrew word is rephaim (רְפָאִים). This term refers to "shades" or "ghosts" – the departed spirits, or more generally, the enfeebled inhabitants of the underworld. In biblical context, it describes those who have lost their vitality and strength in death, existing as mere shadows of their former selves. The use of rephaim emphasizes not just physical death, but a profound state of spiritual depletion and absence of true life that follows Folly's path. It can also evoke images of ancient, often defeated, giant-like figures, symbolizing ultimate demise.
• are there: This indicates the hidden reality of Folly's dwelling. Her attractive house is, in truth, already populated by those who are spiritually dead or irrevocably doomed. The word highlights the immediate and present danger, not a future one. The danger is not distant, but a present condition that the foolish one fails to perceive.
• and that her guests: The Hebrew kru'eha (קְרֻאֶיהָ) means "her invited ones" or "her called ones." This implies that those who partake of Folly's offerings are not mere accidental passersby but individuals who have responded to her alluring call, accepting her hospitality. They are willingly, though unknowingly, stepping into a trap.
• are in the depths: This phrase emphasizes the inescapable and most severe part of the destination. It is not just in Sheol, but its deepest recesses, signifying profound and irreversible descent. It speaks to the utter ruin and finality of their fate.
• of hell: The Hebrew word is Sheol (שְׁאוֹל), which generally refers to the grave, the underworld, or the realm of the dead where all deceased individuals go, irrespective of their moral standing, in the Old Testament. While not necessarily a place of torment in its earliest conceptualization, it signifies separation from God's presence, darkness, silence, and inactivity. For the wicked, descent into Sheol implies permanent removal from the land of the living and a state of doom. The term later evolves to include more punitive aspects in later Jewish and Christian thought.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• But he knoweth not that the dead are there: This phrase encapsulates the core warning: profound spiritual ignorance regarding the true, immediate consequences of choosing Folly. It speaks to the deception inherent in sin and foolishness – one embraces what seems appealing, utterly unaware of the ultimate spiritual cost. The allure of the present moment blinds the individual to the grim reality that Folly's house is, in effect, a mortuary.
• and that her guests are in the depths of hell: This expands upon the previous statement, identifying those who succumb to Folly as her "guests," yet highlighting their dreadful and final destination. They are already among the condemned, sinking irrevocably into the lowest reaches of the underworld. This reveals the total devastation that Folly brings upon those she seduces, sealing their doom.

Proverbs 9 18 Bonus section

The verse effectively functions as an expose of the "hidden costs" of sin. While sin offers immediate gratification or forbidden pleasure, it never truly satisfies and always extracts a devastating toll. The allure of Folly is rooted in a fundamental misrepresentation of reality; she conceals the Rephaim (the "feeble ones," emphasizing spiritual weakness and doom) and the "depths of Sheol" behind a veil of fleeting enjoyment. This highlights a crucial theme in Proverbs: the seemingly "good" path can lead to utter destruction if it contradicts divine wisdom. The contrast with Wisdom, who invites people to life and understanding, could not be starker. Those who refuse Wisdom are not just making a neutral choice; they are implicitly choosing a path whose real end is eternal separation from life, unknowingly joining the silent, inert inhabitants of the underworld.

Proverbs 9 18 Commentary

Proverbs 9:18 serves as the climax and chilling punchline to the narrative of Folly's deceptive invitation. It lays bare the ultimate reality of sin's enticement: while it promises hidden delights and stolen pleasures, it leads unequivocally to death. The verse emphasizes the spiritual blindness of the individual seduced by Folly; he does not know that her house, seemingly a place of enjoyment, is actually the abode of the dead, populated by shades (rephaim) who are devoid of true life and vitality.

This lack of awareness underscores the profound danger of Folly (representing illicit pleasure, foolish choices, or sin), as it seduces under false pretenses. The "guests" of Folly are not just heading towards death; they are already effectively counted among the dead, existing in a state of spiritual demise, and plunging deeper into Sheol. The "depths of hell" conveys not just the destination, but the absolute and inescapable finality of their destruction. This powerful imagery functions as a grave warning against the apparent attractions of worldly and sinful paths, urging discernment and a clear choice for wisdom and life.