She standeth in the top of high places, by the way. She takes her stand, not in thievish corners of the streets, like the harlot, but in the most open and elevated parts of the city, where she may be best seen and heard by all who pass by (see Proverbs 1:21 , and note there). In the places of the paths; i.e. where many paths converge, and where people meet from different quarters. read more
The expressions in the text indicate the position which she takes and its capabilities. At the hand of the gates ( 1 Samuel 19:3 ). She posts herself at the side of the city gates, under the archway pierced in the wall, where she is sure of an audience. At the mouth of the city, inside the gate, where people pass on their way to the country. At the coming in at the doors, by which persons enter the town. Thus she catches all comers, those who are entering, as well as those who are... read more
Unto you, O men, I call. "Men," ishim ( אִישִׁים ); equivalent to ἄνδρες , viri, men in the highest sense, who have some wisdom and experience, but need further enlightenment ( Isaiah 53:3 ; Psalms 141:4 ). The sons of man; בְּנֵי אָדָם , "children of Adam;" equivalent to ἄνθρωποι , homines, the general kind of men, who are taken up with material interests. St. Gregory notes ('Moral ,' 27.6) that persons ( heroines ) of perfect life are in Scripture... read more
She summons various classes of persons to attend to her, showing how trustworthy she is, and how precious her instruction. read more
Proverbs 8:2-6 . She standeth in the top of high places Where she may be best seen and heard; not in corners, and in the dark, as the harlot did; by the way in the places of the paths Where many paths meet, where there is a great concourse, and where travellers may need direction. She crieth at the gates The places of judgment, and of the confluence of the people; at the entry of the city To invite passengers at their first coming, and to conduct them to her house; at the coming in... read more
Eternal wisdom available to all (8:1-36)Once again wisdom is personified as a woman standing in a public place and speaking to the people who pass by (8:1-3; cf. 1:20-21). Even the immature and foolish can learn wisdom (4-5). One characteristic of wisdom is speech that is wholesome, true and straightforward (6-9). The instruction given by wisdom is beyond value, for it produces all those qualities most necessary for a truly worthwhile life. Yet it will not lead to pride, for people can only... read more
high places = places of vantage. in the places of the paths = in the places where the paths meet. read more
men. Hebrew. 'ishim. App-14 . man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:1-36
14. Fourteenth admonitory discourse concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1-27 ; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exhibits in the most marked manner the nothingness of the deceiver's gifts. One is reminded of the celebrated episode of the choice of Hercules, delineated by Xenophon, 'Memorab.,' 2.1. 21, etc. The chapter divides itself into four sections. read more