Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

Solomon, having shown how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here shows how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God, which we shall for ever rue the neglect of. Observe, I. By whom God calls to us?by wisdom. It is wisdom that crieth without. The word is plural?wisdoms, for, as there is infinite wisdom in God, so there is the manifold wisdom of God, Eph. 3:10. God speaks to the children of men by all the kinds of wisdom, and, as in every will, so in every word,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:20

Wisdom crieth without ,.... Here the person instructing throughout this whole book is represented under the name of "Wisdom"; by which we are to understand not the attribute of divine wisdom displayed in the works of creation; nor the light of nature in man; nor the law of Moses given to the Israelites; nor the revelation of the divine will in general, as it is delivered out in the sacred Scriptures; nor the Gospel, and the ministry of it, in particular; but our Lord Jesus Christ; for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:20

Wisdom crieth - Here wisdom is again personified, as it is frequently, throughout this book; where nothing is meant but the teachings given to man, either by Divine revelation or the voice of the Holy Spirit in the heart. And this voice of wisdom is opposed to the seducing language of the wicked mentioned above. This voice is everywhere heard, in public, in private, in the streets, and in the house. Common sense, universal experience, and the law of justice written on the heart, as well as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20

Wisdom crieth without. Wisdom . The Hebrew word ( khochmoth ) here used to designate Wisdom seems to be an abstract derivation from the ordinary khochmah. The form is peculiar to the Proverbs and Psalms, in the former occurring four times ( Proverbs 1:22 ; Proverbs 9:1 ; Proverbs 14:1 ; Proverbs 24:7 ), and in the latter twice only (viz. Psalms 49:4 ; Psalms 78:15 ). As in Proverbs 9:1 and Proverbs 24:7 , it is a pluralis excellentiae of the feminine gender, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-23

The gospel call This cry of Wisdom is a sort of evangel of the Old Testament religion. It is an anticipation of the gracious invitation subsequently put forth by the Christian truth. That, too, is a cry of Wisdom; for is not Christ the "Wisdom of God" ( 1 Corinthians 1:24 ), and "made unto us Wisdom" ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 )? We of the latter times, therefore, may hear in the preaching of Solomon the call of the glorious gospel of the blessed God. I. THE CHARACTER OF THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-23

The voice of Wisdom Wisdom is here personified; it is the language of poetic inspiration. Later on, "in the dispensation of the fulness of times," Wisdom was manifested in human form, and spake in the hearing of men. But its voice has never been silent altogether, from the beginning until now. We are reminded of it— I. THAT THERE ARE MANY CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH WISDOM UTTERS ITS VOICE . The plural form of the word ("wisdoms") suggests the manifoldness of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

2. Second admonitory discourse. Address of Wisdom personified, exhibing the folly of those who wilfully reject, and the security of those who hearken to, her counsels. The sacred writer, in this section, as also in Proverbs 8:1-36 ; uses the rhetorical figure of prosopopceia, or impersonation. Wisdom is represented as speaking and as addressing the simple, scorners, and fools. The address itself is one of the noblest specimens of sacred eloquence, expressing in rapid succession the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

Warning cry of Wisdom In dramatic style, Wisdom is presentiated, personified, endued with visible and audible attributes. As contempt for religion has been animadverted upon, so now contempt for Wisdom calls for rebuke. The motto ( Proverbs 1:7 ) is still in the preacher's mind. I. THE CRY OF WISDOM IS PUBLIC AND CLEAR . In the street, "where merchants most do congregate," and in all places of general resort, the cry is heard. Hers is no esoteric doctrine; it is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:20

Proverbs 1:20. Wisdom crieth, &c. Having shown the counsels and invitations of folly and of wicked men, he now declares the voice of wisdom. The Hebrew word חכמות , rendered wisdom here, is in the plural number, and is literally wisdoms. It was probably intended to include various kinds, or, rather, all the kinds of Wisdom 1 st, The works of creation, (see on Psalms 19:1-6,) the light and law of nature, the dispensations of divine providence, the human understanding, are wisdom, Job... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom addresses the people (1:20-33)To help people see what he is saying about wisdom, the writer tries to give illustrations that anyone can understand. He does not discuss wisdom as an abstract principle, but pictures it as being in the form of a person (i.e. personified). He speaks of wisdom as if it were a dignified and well respected woman who stands in the streets and market places of the town and speaks openly and plainly to those who pass by (20-21).The woman addresses her words... read more

Group of Brands