In the Bible, particularly in the book of Proverbs, “the woman folly” symbolizes a personification of foolishness that simultaneously attracts and leads others astray, contrasting with the wisdom represented by Lady Wisdom. She is described as seductive and loud, enticing individuals to make unwise choices and ultimately facing destruction.
Scripture
13 The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Meaning of Woman Folly in the Bible
The concept of “woman folly” in the book of Proverbs stands as a stark representation of the perils of foolishness and the consequences of poor decision-making. Specifically found in Proverbs 9:13-18, she is depicted as one who is loud and seductive, sitting at the door of her house, calling out to passersby. Her allure is deceptive, promising satisfaction and fulfillment but ultimately leading to spiritual and moral ruin. The choice to heed her call symbolizes the ease with which people can be led away from wisdom and toward destructive behaviors. The stark contrast between “woman folly” and Lady Wisdom underscores a central theme in Proverbs: the importance of discernment in navigating life’s choices. This personification serves not only as a cautionary tale but also as a reflection of the inner struggles individuals face in pursuing wisdom or succumbing to temptation.
Moreover, the broader meaning of “woman folly” resonates throughout scripture as a metaphor for the broader human tendency toward sin and error. Proverbs 14:1 notes that “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” This idea aligns with the biblical view that wisdom is foundational to a godly life, while folly leads to self-destruction. The implications are profound; choosing folly often entails social, relational, and spiritual disarray. In various contexts, including the later New Testament writings, the personification of wisdom and folly serves as a moral compass, guiding believers to reflect on their choices and the paths they pursue, ultimately pointing to the importance of seeking divine wisdom over earthly temptations. By contrasting the principles embodied in “woman folly” against those of an upright life, the scriptures encourage individuals to make choices that reflect faith, sound judgment, and integrity.
The portrayal of “woman folly” in biblical literature serves as a vivid illustration of the dangers associated with unwise choices and moral failure. Throughout the wisdom literature, folly is not merely an abstract concept but is personified to illustrate its tangible impact on human life. The figure of woman folly invites readers to reflect on the seductive nature of foolishness, emphasizing that it often masquerades as wisdom or satisfaction. This deceptive allure resonates with narratives seen in other biblical texts, where characters deviate from righteous paths, driven by impulsive desires or ignorance, thus experiencing consequences that reverberate through their lives and the lives of those around them. The compelling image of woman folly reinforces the notion that choosing folly can lead to a cycle of destruction, not only impacting personal integrity but also straining community and familial relationships.
Furthermore, the theme of folly continues to echo across various biblical writings, illustrating the timeless struggle between wisdom and foolishness. In the prophetic literature, for example, warnings against folly abound, calling out to a wayward Israel who suffers from the consequences of abandoning sound teaching for idolatry and vain pursuits. This mirrors the dynamics of woman folly, showcasing that choosing the path of folly does not just lead to individual ruin but also invites collective consequences on communities and nations. Ultimately, the Bible encourages a critical examination of one’s choices and the values that inform them. The constant contrast between folly and wisdom acts as a spiritual guide, urging believers to seek the counsel of God, who embodies true wisdom, thereby leading to a life marked by righteousness, peace, and joy rather than the chaos that ensues from folly’s enticement.
The Personification of Foolishness
In the Bible, the woman folly serves as a personification of foolishness, contrasting with the figure of wisdom. This character embodies the seductive and deceptive nature of folly, illustrating how easily one can be led astray by unwise choices and temptations. The portrayal of woman folly emphasizes the dangers of ignoring wisdom and the consequences of living a life driven by impulsive desires rather than sound judgment.
The Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom
The depiction of woman folly also highlights the consequences that arise from neglecting wisdom. She represents the allure of a life that seems appealing but ultimately leads to destruction and regret. This serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the importance of discernment and the need to seek out wisdom in their decisions. The contrast between wisdom and folly underscores the critical choice individuals face in their pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling life.
The Role of Temptation in Human Experience
Furthermore, woman folly symbolizes the universal struggle with temptation that all individuals face. Her character illustrates how easily one can be enticed by superficial pleasures and distractions that lead away from righteousness. This representation serves as a reminder of the constant battle between wisdom and folly, urging believers to remain vigilant and to cultivate a deeper understanding of true wisdom in their lives.
How to Embrace Wisdom and Avoid Folly in Faith
Embracing wisdom in your faith journey is like nurturing a precious seed; it requires intention, patience, and a willingness to learn. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing the words of Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus to guide your decisions and shape your character. Surround yourself with a community of believers who challenge and inspire you, as iron sharpens iron. Remember, wisdom often comes from listening more than speaking, so practice the art of discernment in your conversations and choices. When faced with decisions, pause and pray, seeking God’s guidance rather than rushing into action. By cultivating a heart that yearns for understanding and a mind that reflects on God’s truths, you’ll find yourself naturally steering clear of folly, which often leads to regret and distance from God. Embrace this journey with humility, knowing that wisdom is a lifelong pursuit, and trust that God delights in guiding those who seek Him earnestly.
Bible References to Woman Folly:
Proverbs 7:6-27: 6 For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man lacking sense,
8 passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house,
9 in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.
10 And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11 She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home;
12 Now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with bold face she says to him:
14 “I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows;”
15 So I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with coverings,
colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us delight ourselves with love.
19 “For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;”
20 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with bold face she says to him:
21 With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 5:1-14: 1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil,
4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps follow the path to Sheol;
6 She does not ponder the path of life;
her ways wander, and she does not know it.
7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you give your honor to others
and your years to the merciless,
10 lest strangers take their fill of your strength,
and your labors go to the house of a foreigner,
11 And at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed,
12 and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof!
13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.
14 I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”
Proverbs 2:16-19: 16 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words,
17 who forsakes the companion of her youth
and forgets the covenant of her God;
18 for her house sinks down to death,
and her paths to the departed.
19 None who go to her come back,
nor do they regain the paths of life.
Proverbs 6:24-35: 24 to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.
Proverbs 23:27-28: 27 for a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well.
28 She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind.
Ecclesiastes 7:26-29: 26 And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.
27 “Behold, this is what I found,” says the Preacher, “adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things—”
28 which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found.
29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
Revelation 17:1-6: 1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters,
2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”
3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.
5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.
Revelation 18:1-8: 1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.
2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;”
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.