Preparation Of The Great Feast (Proverbs 9:1-3 a).
‘Wisdom has built her house,
She has shaped (hewn out) her seven pillars,
She has killed her beasts,
She has mingled her wine,
She has also furnished her table,
She has sent forth her maidens.'
Wisdom has, of course, been around from the beginning of creation (Proverbs 8:23). She does not use a house built by another, but has built her own house, one which is large and spacious and built around seven pillars, especially shaped by wisdom herself. Seven is the number of divine perfection (something recognised throughout the Ancient Near East). Houses would normally, at the most, have three pillars, so that her house is a splendid one, large enough for all. It is divinely established. One of the aims is to bring out Woman Wisdom's status. She is one to be looked up to and heeded. It was the norm for those in high places to set up such feasts and dispense lavish hospitality (compare 1 Kings 4:22-23; Nehemiah 5:17-18; Esther 1:3-7; Daniel 5:1).
There is no suggestion that a temple is in mind, and it should be noticed that the beasts for the feast were ‘killed' not ‘slaughtered sacrificially'. The Hebrew word is distinctive and another word is used where ‘slaying in sacrifice' is intended. This is a rich person's feast, not a religious celebration. And the stated aim is not specifically to worship God, but to ‘live and walk in the way of understanding' (Proverbs 9:6). It is a call to feast at Wisdom's table, and partake of her wisdom.
All that is needed for a great feast has been prepared. Animals have been killed, wine has been mingled (probably with honey and spices. In Isaiah 1:22 wine mixed with water was seen as spoiled), the table has been prepared (tables were only found in the houses of the wealthy), all is now ready. And now the maidens are sent out to invite people to the feast (maidens because extensions of Woman Wisdom). They represent all who proclaim wisdom (including Solomon (Proverbs 5:1), fathers and mothers (Proverbs 1:8), and ‘the wise' (Proverbs 1:6)). They are ‘maidens' in comparison with ancient Woman Wisdom. These are pure maidens, inviting men to hear, in contrast with Woman Folly who can only invite men to bed.
Those who respond to wisdom will find themselves satiated with good things. They partake freely of her beasts and her mingled wine. They can ‘obtain wine and milk without money and without price' (Isaiah 55:1). In Isaiah too they could ‘hear -- and live' (Isaiah 55:3).
It is tempting to see in this description a parallel with the words of Jesus, ‘Tell those who are bidden, behold I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, come to the marriage feast' (Matthew 22:4). He may well have had this passage in mind when He gave the parable, for He was offering the greatest wisdom of all.