Proverbs 9:15

KJV

To call passengers who go right on their ways:

KJV (with Strong's)

To call {H7121} passengers {H5674}{H1870} who go right {H3474} on their ways {H734}:

Complete Jewish Bible

calling to those who pass by, to those going straight along their ways,

Berean Standard Bible

calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.

American Standard Version

To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 9:15 presents a vivid and cautionary portrait of Dame Folly, the personification of ungodly choices and deceptive wisdom. She is depicted as brazenly positioned at the entrance of her house, loudly beckoning to individuals who are already progressing on what appears to be a straight and righteous path. Her sinister intent is to divert them from their upright course, luring them into her destructive domain, which ultimately leads to spiritual and literal death. This verse serves as a profound warning against the subtle, yet potent, temptations that target even those who are well-intentioned and striving for integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 9 serves as the climactic conclusion to the book's foundational instructional section (Proverbs 1-9), which functions as an extended parental appeal to embrace wisdom. This chapter masterfully employs a stark allegorical contrast between two archetypal women: Lady Wisdom (representing divine wisdom and righteousness) and Dame Folly (embodying human foolishness and wickedness). Lady Wisdom is introduced in [Proverbs 9:1-6](/proverbs/9-1-6 "Proverbs 9:1-6 - Lady Wisdom's Invitation"), where she is portrayed as building her house, preparing a magnificent feast, and sending out her maidens to invite all who are simple or lacking understanding to partake of her life-giving sustenance. In direct and chilling opposition, [Proverbs 9:13-18](/proverbs/9-13-18 "Proverbs 9:13-18 - Dame Folly's Allure") introduces Dame Folly as loud, boisterous, and utterly ignorant. Verse 15 specifically details her method of enticement, directly mirroring Lady Wisdom's public call by targeting passersby, but with the malevolent purpose of leading them astray to their ruin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs, deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, frequently employs personification to render abstract concepts tangible and relatable for its audience. In a society where hospitality was a paramount virtue and social norm, the imagery of a woman calling from her house or sitting prominently at the city gate to invite guests would have been immediately understood. However, the moral implications of such an invitation were entirely dependent on the character of the woman and the nature of her call. While a virtuous woman might genuinely offer aid, fellowship, or instruction, Folly's call subverts this social expectation, transforming an act of invitation into a predatory trap. The metaphor of "ways" or "paths" was ubiquitous in the ancient world, representing one's life choices, moral conduct, and destiny. Thus, "going right on their ways" would have been a clear and powerful reference to living uprightly, in accordance with both societal and divine expectations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Proverbs. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Moral Choice**, presenting life as an existential journey with two fundamentally divergent paths: the path of wisdom, which leads to life and flourishing, and the path of folly, which inevitably culminates in death. This stark contrast is vividly illustrated by the contrasting outcomes described in [Proverbs 9:11](/proverbs/9-11 "Proverbs 9:11 - Wisdom Leads to Long Life") and the chilling revelation of [Proverbs 9:18](/proverbs/9-18 "Proverbs 9:18 - Folly Leads to Death"). The verse also highlights the **Insidiousness of Temptation**, demonstrating that folly's allure is not confined to those already steeped in wickedness; rather, it often cunningly preys on individuals who are seemingly well-intentioned and "going right," making spiritual vigilance and discernment absolutely critical. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Discernment**, emphasizing the profound need to distinguish between genuine, life-giving invitations and deceptive, destructive ones—a crucial skill that the wise person diligently cultivates throughout their life, as urged in passages like [Proverbs 2:10-15](/proverbs/2-10-15 "Proverbs 2:10-15 - The Benefits of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **call (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** This primitive root (H7121) signifies "to call out to," "to address by name," or "to invite." In this context, it emphasizes the active, public, and intentional nature of Folly's outreach. Unlike a quiet whisper, Folly's call is a loud proclamation, designed to capture the attention of those passing by. It implies an overt invitation, though one laden with deceit and hidden danger.
* **passengers (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** Derived from a root (H5674) meaning "to cross over" or "to pass by," this word refers to those who are simply "passing along" or "going through." It suggests individuals who are on a journey, not necessarily seeking Folly, but merely traversing their own established paths. This highlights Folly's opportunistic and predatory nature, as she preys on those who are vulnerable simply by being in transit.
* **right (Hebrew, _yâshar'_):** This root (H3474) means "to be straight or even," and figuratively, "to be right" or "upright." It describes the moral alignment of the "passengers." They are not depicted as already lost or wicked, but as individuals who are attempting to walk an upright, righteous, or morally correct path. This makes Folly's temptation particularly insidious, as she aims to divert those who are actively striving for integrity and virtue.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To call passengers":** This opening phrase immediately establishes Dame Folly's primary action: she is actively soliciting attention and seeking to intercept individuals. The "passengers" are those who are simply going about their daily lives, minding their own business, and not necessarily looking for trouble or distraction. Folly's strategy is to draw them away from their intended course, interrupting their journey with her alluring, yet ultimately destructive, invitation.
* **"who go right on their ways":** This crucial second clause describes the moral disposition and current trajectory of Folly's targets. They are not depicted as aimless wanderers or already wayward individuals; rather, they are "going right" or "making their path straight." This implies individuals who are morally upright, disciplined, or at least earnestly attempting to live according to a good and righteous standard. Folly's temptation, therefore, is not merely for the already corrupt, but specifically for those who are striving for integrity, making her call a direct and dangerous challenge to their commitment to a virtuous life.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 9:15 is rich in **Personification**, with "Dame Folly" acting as a vibrant, living character who actively calls out and entices. This device makes the abstract concept of foolishness tangible and relatable, emphasizing its active, seductive, and dangerous nature. There is a profound element of **Contrast** woven throughout the broader chapter, as Folly's deceptive and death-dealing call directly opposes Lady Wisdom's life-giving and nourishing invitation, starkly highlighting the two divergent paths available to humanity. Furthermore, the phrase "who go right on their ways" introduces a subtle yet potent **Irony** and **Dramatic Tension**. The very individuals who are striving for righteousness and moral uprightness are presented as the specific targets of Folly's most dangerous temptations, suggesting that spiritual vigilance is required even, and perhaps especially, when one feels secure and confident on a seemingly good path.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 9:15 offers profound theological insights into the pervasive nature of sin and temptation. It reveals that the alluring power of folly is not exclusively limited to those already entrenched in wickedness; rather, it often cunningly targets those who are striving for righteousness, seeking to subtly derail their spiritual progress. This highlights the constant spiritual battle that believers face and the pervasive presence of temptation in a fallen world. The verse underscores the critical importance of spiritual discernment, serving as a solemn reminder that not every appealing invitation or seemingly benign distraction is from God. Indeed, such seemingly harmless detours can lead to catastrophic spiritual consequences, as the tragic end of Folly's path is the realm of the dead, Sheol ([Proverbs 9:18](/proverbs/9-18 "Proverbs 9:18 - Folly's Guests are in Sheol")).

* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way That Seems Right")
* [Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow and Wide Gates")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 9:15 serves as a powerful and timeless warning for all who endeavor to live a life pleasing to God. It profoundly reminds us that spiritual complacency is a perilous state, for even when we earnestly believe we are "going right on our ways," the seductive whispers and brazen calls of folly are ever-present and relentless. This verse compels us to cultivate a posture of continuous vigilance, humble self-awareness, and absolute dependence on divine wisdom. We must never assume immunity from temptation simply because our intentions are good, our current path seems righteous, or we feel morally secure. Instead, we are challenged to regularly and rigorously examine our motivations, the influences we allow into our lives, and the "calls" we choose to heed. True wisdom involves not only knowing and choosing the right path but, perhaps even more critically, recognizing and resolutely resisting the subtle, deceptive detours that promise ease, pleasure, or a shortcut but ultimately lead to spiritual and moral destruction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "going right" in my own estimation, yet still be susceptible to subtle temptations or distractions that could lead me astray?**
* **How can I actively cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize the deceptive "calls" of folly in my daily interactions, media consumption, and personal aspirations?**
* **What practical, actionable steps can I take to strengthen my resolve and remain steadfast on the path of wisdom, even when alluring alternatives present themselves with promises of immediate gratification or perceived advantage?**

### FAQ
**What does "passengers who go right on their ways" mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase refers to individuals who are depicted as being on a morally upright or righteous path. They are not inherently wicked, aimless, or already lost, but rather are striving to live correctly, following what they believe to be the right course of action according to societal or personal standards. Dame Folly's specific target is precisely these individuals, making her temptation particularly insidious as she aims to divert those who are otherwise well-intentioned and disciplined. It highlights that temptation can arise even when one feels secure in their good conduct, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and a deeper understanding of true righteousness, which ultimately comes through God's wisdom, not merely human effort ([Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 9:15, with its portrayal of Dame Folly's deceptive call to those "going right," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate contrast between the world's alluring lies and the singular, life-giving truth found exclusively in Jesus Christ. While Folly calls to subtly divert those on a seemingly good path to their destruction, Jesus declares Himself to be the exclusive "Way, the Truth, and the Life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")), emphasizing that no one comes to the Father except through Him. The "right ways" that the passengers pursue in Proverbs, while perhaps morally upright by human standards, are ultimately insufficient to lead to eternal life apart from Christ, for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Christ, as the very embodiment of divine Wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")), stands in stark contrast to Dame Folly. He does not subtly divert but openly invites all, especially those burdened and weary, to find true rest and life in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). The "straight path" that Folly seeks to corrupt is ultimately fulfilled in the narrow gate and difficult road that leads to life, which only Christ enables us to walk ([Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow and Wide Gates")). Thus, Proverbs 9:15 serves as a powerful backdrop, accentuating the unique and salvific call of Jesus, who alone offers the true and living way that leads to eternal joy and salvation, not the death offered by folly.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 7:25

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Proverbs 7:27

Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 23:27

For a whore [is] a deep ditch; and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit.

Proverbs 23:28

She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him, and kissed him, [and] with an impudent face said unto him,

Proverbs 7:15

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.