Proverbs 21 · Verse 9

Proverbs 21:9

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Proverbs 21:9, King James Version

Proverbs 21:9 in other translations

BSBBetter to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
WEBIt is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
ASVIt is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
YLTBetter to sit on a corner of the roof, Than with a woman of contentions and a house of company.
DARBYIt is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
BBEIt is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
WebsterIt is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

What does Proverbs 21:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. corner--a turret or arbor on the roof. brawling--or contentious. wide house--literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 In a corner of the housetop - A shed raised on the flat roof - a wide house; בית חבר 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 21:9 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ט֗וֹבTov[is] goodH2896
לָשֶׁ֥בֶתla.She.vetto dwellH3427
עַל\־'al-onH5921
פִּנַּת\־pi.nat-a corner ofH6438
גָּ֑גGaga roofH1406
מֵאֵ֥שֶׁתme.'E.shetmore than a woman ofH802
מִ֝דְיָנִ֗יםmid.ya.NimcontentionsH4079
וּבֵ֥יתu.Veitand a house ofH1004
חָֽבֶר\׃Cha.verassociationH2269

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 21:9

  • Proverbs 19:13

    A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

  • Proverbs 21:19

    It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

  • Proverbs 27:15-16

    A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

  • Proverbs 25:24

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

  • Proverbs 12:4

    A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

  • Proverbs 17:1

    Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

  • Proverbs 15:17

    Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
better.
19; 12:4; 19:13; 25:24; 27:15,16
brawling woman in a wide house. Heb. woman of contentions ina house of society.
15:17; 17:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 21:8

    The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

  • Proverbs 21:9

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

  • Proverbs 21:10

    The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

Read all of Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mejor es vivir en un rincón de zaquizamí, que con la mujer rencillosa en espaciosa casa.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mieux vaut habiter sur le coin d’un toit, que d’avoir une femme querelleuse et une maison en commun.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Besser ist es, auf einer Dachecke zu wohnen, als ein zänkisches Weib und ein gemeinsames Haus.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.