Proverbs 21:9 Meaning and Explanation
“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Living in hardship with a contentious person is far worse than living alone in poverty.
The Context of Proverbs 21:9
Contentious company destroys the value of comfort.
What Does Proverbs 21:9 Mean?
A housetop corner—cramped, exposed, uncomfortable—represents poverty and deprivation. Yet this verse says such hardship is preferable to sharing a spacious house with a woman prone to quarreling and conflict. The focus is on the relational damage caused by constant contention.
This is not about women specifically but about the destructive power of a brawling, disputatious spirit in any household member. Such conflict poisons the home, drains peace, and creates misery that no amount of space or comfort can remedy. External comfort matters little if internal peace is absent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 21:9
What does Proverbs 21:9 mean?
Living in hardship with a contentious person is far worse than living alone in poverty.
What is the context of Proverbs 21:9?
Contentious company destroys the value of comfort.