Proverbs 1:21 NIV

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 1:21

She crieth in the chief place of concourse ,.... Where a multitude of people meet together; the Targum is, "on the top of palaces;' but rather it is to be understood of the synagogues of the Jews, where Christ frequently preached; and which, from hence, they build in the highest part of the city F3 Maimon. Hilchot Tephillah, c. 11. s. 2. ; and best of all the temple, whither the tribes of Israel went up to worship in great bodies, and to which the Jews daily resorted; here Christ... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:21

She crieth in the chief place of concourse. The chief place is literally the head ( ראֹשׁ , rosh ); here used figuratively for the place where streets or roads branch off in different directions, as in Ezekiel 16:25 , "the beginning of streets," or "the head of the way;" comp. Genesis 2:10 , where it is used of the point at which the four streams branched off; and the corresponding expression in Proverbs 8:2 , "She staudeth in the top ( rosh ) of high places." Of concourse... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:21

Proverbs 1:21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse Where there is most probability of success. The LXX. render it, επ ’ ακρων τειχεων κηρυσσεται , she preacheth upon the tops of the walls, or houses, a translation which Houbigant approves. Schultens, not improperly, renders the Hebrew, בראשׁ המיות , at the head, or beginning, of the most frequented streets. In the opening of the gates Where magistrates sit in judgment, and people are assembled. So she crieth, both to the wise... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:21

saying. The Ellipsis of this verb has frequently to be supplied. See note on Psalms 109:5 . read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:21

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:20-33

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 1:21

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