Pro 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. Ver. 2. She standeth in the top of high places. ] That is, saith an interpreter, In the lofty oracles of the patriarchs and prophets. read more
Pro 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Ver. 3. At the entry of the city. ] Heb., At the mouth; for as words go out of the mouth, so do men out of the city; only men go and come at their pleasure. Sed volat emissum semel irrevocabile verbum, a - A word once uttered cannot be recalled. At the coming in at the doors. ] Everywhere Christ offereth himself; hence ariseth this phrase, "My salvation is gone forth"; but to little purpose, through... read more
Pro 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man. Ver. 4. Unto you, O men, I call. ] O viri praestantes, - so some render it, O ye eminent men, whether for greatness of birth, wealth, or learning. The Pharisees and philosophers, for their learning, are called the "princes of this world." 1Co 2:8 Sed sapientes sapienter in infernum descendunt, saith one; et potentes potenter torguebuntur, saith another. But "the world by wisdom knows not God"; 1Co 1:21 and "not many wise... read more
Pro 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Ver. 5. O ye simple. ] If ye be not set in sin, resolved of your way, as good as ye mean to be; if yet there be any place left for persuasion. See Trapp on " Pro 1:4 " And ye fools. ] Ye that have already made your conclusion, and are wiser in your own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. read more
Pro 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things. Ver. 6. I will speak of excellent things. ] ηγεμονικα ; ruling cases, master sentences, axioms of state, principles for princes. "I have written for them the great things of my law." Hos 8:12 Solomon calls the Scriptures "lords of collections," as some sense that text, Ecclesiastes 12:11 . Shall be right things. ] Right for each man’s particular purposes and occasions. The Scriptures are so... read more
Pro 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips. Ver. 7. For my month shall speak truth. ] Heb., Shall meditate truth; i.e., I will neither speak falsely nor rashly, but upon due deliberation and undoubted certainty. See my "True Treasure," p. 122. read more
Pro 8:8 All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them. Ver. 8. All the words. ] The Rabbis have a saying, that there is a mountain of sense hanging upon every tittle of the Scriptures. There is nothing froward or perverse in them. ] Some places of Scripture may seem to cross other places, but they do only seem so. Men may think they are like the accusers of Christ, never a one speaking like the other; but those that understand them shall find... read more
Pro 8:9 They [are] all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Ver. 9. They are all plain to him that understandeth. ] Plain in things necessary to salvation; for as all duties, so all truths do not concern all men. God doth not expect or require that every man should be a doctor in the chair; but those points that direct to duty here, and salvation hereafter, are clear, express, and obvious to them that desire to understand them; for some there are, qui ut... read more
Pro 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. Ver. 10. Receive mine instruction, and not money. ] That is, Rather than money; as, "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" - that is, rather than sacrifice. Knowledge of the Scriptures is the greatest riches. "Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you." Col 3:16 The Corinthians were enriched in all knowledge. 1Co 1:5 Plato gave three hundred florins for a book that he liked. a Dionysius said that... read more
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John Trapp Complete Commentary - Proverbs 8:1
Pro 8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? Ver. 1. Doth not wisdom cry? ] And shall a harlot be sooner heard than she? Shall men prefer dross before gold, acorns before wheat, a swinesty before a sanctuary, dirty delights and sensual pleasures before peace that passeth all understanding, joy unspeakable and full of glory? Heathen stories a tell how Hercules, when he was young, was courted by Virtue on the one hand, and Pleasure on the other; but Pleasure lost her... read more