Can You Live Without It?

Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars.
                                                --Proverbs 9:1

Seven pillars? Why seven? What does it mean?

Replica of an Ancient Israelite House

(Courtesy Harvard Public Affairs &

Communications, photo by Jon Chase)

While we might imagine beautiful styles of Greek or Roman pillars, the pillars in Israelite dwellings were probably much more simple. The importance was function, supporting the weight of upper floors and roof.

Wisdom's pillars are 'hewn,' that is, cut out. Whether this means a solid pillar of wood or stone, or simply stones cut and stacked to form a pillar is not known. Yet, the pillars were cut out and the house built, and it is a strong house.


Wisdom is portrayed as a woman building her house. Pillars are set in place; seven, perhaps indicating completeness. The verses that follow certainly suggest that the house of Wisdom is complete and ready. Wisdom lacks nothing in her ability to accomplish her purpose.

So, anyone who comes to the house of Wisdom will find true knowledge and discernment regarding life. The house of Wisdom is not a 'fixer upper.' Her knowledge and discernment are far superior to human knowledge which seem never to be complete. (What field of study has closed the book on research and announced complete knowledge???)

Wisdom offers life.
---------
Sounds redundant, right?

Proverbs 1 . . . Get wisdom.
Proverbs 2 . . . Get wisdom.
Proverbs 3 . . . Get wisdom.
   .
   .
   .
Proverbs 9 . . . Get wisdom.

Maybe we get the point...maybe not...

Things that are important, very important, are repeated. Repetition emphasizes. Repetition aids learning. Repetition virtually assures success.
God is no fool.

Wisdom is important, not simply so you can be ‘wise.’
Wisdom is important, not merely because it will give insight.
Wisdom is important, not just because it guides and gives aid in life.

Wisdom is important, because it gives life.

Wisdom gives life.

Life.

Wisdom has built her house...
Enter.