Proverbs 8:1

Proverbs 8:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
• New International Version (NIV)Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?

Context of Proverbs 8:1

Listen! Wisdom is calling out. She wants you to understand what is right, so she speaks in a loud voice. 2She stands where people will hear her, on the hills along the road. She stands where different paths meet. 3She stands near the gates where people go into the city. This is what she says:

Proverbs 8:1 word by word

הֲלֹֽא־חָכְמָ֥ה תִקְרָ֑א וּ֝תְבוּנָ֗ה תִּתֵּ֥ן קוֹלָֽהּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Doth not wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• cryקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
• and understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
• put forthנָתַןnâthan · to give: cry outH5414
• her voiceקוֹלqôl qôl · voiceH6963

Commentaries on Proverbs 8:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Doth not wisdom cry? - Here wisdom is again personified; but the prosopopoeia is carried on to a greater length than before, and with much more variety. It is represented in this chapter in a twofold point of view: Wisdom, the power of judging rightly, implying the knowledge of Divine and human things. As an attribute of God, particularly displayed in the various and astonishing works of creation. Nor has it any other meaning in this whole chapter…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1A companion picture to that in Proverbs 8:5 to the “simple” and the “fools,” and they have to choose between her voice and that of the temptress.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Chapter Outline Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men. (1-11) The nature and riches of Wisdom. (12-21) Christ one with the Father, in the creation of the world, and rejoicing in his work for the salvation of man. (22-31) Exhortations to hear Christ's word. (32-36) Verses 1-11 The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2Wisdom speaks openly and publicly, inviting everyone to accept her gift of wisdom. Like a prophet, she wants everyone to listen to her words.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-361-4. The publicity and universality of the call contrast with the secrecy and intrigues of the wicked (Pr 7:8, &c.).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 8:1

• Jesus Continued
• Salvation
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Appoint
• Choice
• Delight
• Depth
• Early
• Instruction
• Rule
• Truth
• Wise, wisdom
• Ethics

Commentaries on Proverbs 8

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings