Proverbs 9:2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
Original Language Analysis
טִ֭בְחָהּ
her beasts
H2874
טִ֭בְחָהּ
her beasts
Strong's:
H2874
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
אַ֝֗ף
H637
אַ֝֗ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
5 of 7
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
Cross References
Isaiah 25:6And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.Proverbs 9:5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.Proverbs 23:30They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern banquets represented hospitality, celebration, abundance. Wisdom's feast contrasts with foolishness's stolen water and hidden bread (v.17). Legitimate satisfaction versus stolen pleasure, public feast versus secret sin. Jesus used similar imagery - the great banquet (Luke 14:16-24), marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Wisdom offers abundant provision; folly offers empty promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you experienced wisdom as satisfying nourishment for your soul?
- What cheap substitutes for wisdom's feast are you tempted to consume?
- How does Christ as the bread of life fulfill wisdom's banquet invitation?
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Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom has killed her beasts, mixed her wine, furnished her table. The Hebrew 'tabach' (slaughter), 'masak' (mix/dilute wine), and 'arak' (arrange/set in order) describe banquet preparation. Wisdom offers abundant provision - meat, wine, prepared table. The feast metaphor portrays wisdom as satisfying nourishment. Those who come to wisdom's table are abundantly fed. This anticipates Jesus' invitation: 'I am the bread of life...if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever' (John 6:35, 51).