A-Z: Common sayings from the Bible: Seven pillars of wisdom

Usage

The title of a book by T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia).

Definition

Seven is the number representing completeness in the Bible. The pillars may be virtues or topics of study, but this is uncertain. The pillars fully support Wisdom's house, however.

Bible References

Proverbs 9:1

English Standard Version
King James Version

¹Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. ²She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. ³She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, ⁴Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! To him who lacks sense she says, ⁵Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight. ⁷Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. ⁸Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. ¹¹For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. ¹²If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. ¹³The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. ¹⁴She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, ¹⁵calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, ¹⁶Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! And to him who lacks sense she says, ¹⁷Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

¹Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: ²She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. ³She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, ⁴Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁵Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. ⁷He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. ⁸Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. ⁹Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. ¹²If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. ¹³A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. ¹⁴For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ¹⁷Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.