Proverbs 1:21

Proverbs 1:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
• New International Version (NIV)on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:
• English Standard Version (ESV)at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
• New King James Version (NKJV)She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:

Context of Proverbs 1:21

19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; Greed takes away the lives of its possessors. 20Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the markets; She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather]; At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words: 22“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing, How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge? 23If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke, Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

Proverbs 1:21 word by word

בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הֹמִיּ֗וֹת תִּ֫קְרָ֥א בְּפִתְחֵ֖י שְׁעָרִ֥ים בָּעִ֗יר אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ תֹאמֵֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• She criethקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
• in the chief placeרֹאשׁrô'sh · head: topH7218
• of concourseהָמָהhâmâh · to roarH1993
• in the openingsפֶּ֫תַחpethach · entranceH6607
• of the gatesשַׁ֫עַרsha‛ar · gateH8179
• in the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• she utterethאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• her wordsאֵמֶר'êmer · wordH561

Cross-references for Proverbs 1:21

• Proverbs 9:3She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the highest places of the city:
• Matthew 10:27What I say to you in the dark (privately), tell in the light (publicly); and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops [to many people].
• Matthew 13:2But such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat there [positioning Himself as a teacher], while the whole crowd stood on the shore.
• John 18:20Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where all the Jews habitually congregate; and I said nothing in secret.
• Acts 5:20“Go, stand and continue to tell the people in the temple [courtyards] the whole message of this Life [the eternal life revealed by Christ and found through faith in Him].”

Commentaries on Proverbs 1:21

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-33Verses 20-33 Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-33The author describes wisdom as a woman. In Hebrew, the word for wisdom, khokmah, is grammatically feminine. The author encourages his son to embrace wisdom (see Proverbs 3:18; 8:1–9:6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-3320-33. Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare Lu 11:49). Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive (see on Pr 8:1). Wisdom--literally, "Wisdoms," the plural…Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 1:21

• Gates
• Instruction
• Salvation
• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Call
• Consent
• Despise
• Entice
• Gate
• Hate
• Lurk
• Naught
• Prosperity
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings