Proverbs 8:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

NIV: Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

NASB: Does not wisdom call, And understanding raise her voice?

CSB: Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard?

NLT: Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!

KJV: Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

NKJV: Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?

This verse asks two rhetorical questions. These are meant to imply that wisdom is not some far-off or unattainable thing. Rather, daily life and experience should inspire everyone to seek wisdom, and to see its benefits. The female personification of wisdom here contrasts sharply with the prostitute (Proverbs 7:10) who went into the streets in search of the foolish young man whom she seduced. The adulteress woman wanted to draw her victim into evil, but wisdom personified as a woman wants to help those who heed her call. She has many benefits that she wants to impart.

The Bible offers an ongoing invitation to sinful men and women to be wise and believe on Jesus for salvation. The wisdom of God is found in Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." After describing the wisdom of the world as opposing God, the apostle Paul identified Christ as wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30). The Lord counsels in Jeremiah 9:23–24: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me." The Bible calls upon us to find true wisdom in the Lord!

Proverbs 8:1–11 comes immediately after a potent warning about a promiscuous, seductive woman. Here, Solomon again presents a woman, this time as wisdom personified (Proverbs 1:20). She calls from everywhere to men to learn prudence and sense. She cites the value of learning from her. Her words are noble, right, true, righteous, and honest. Wisdom is far greater than silver, choice gold, jewels, and everything else that can be compared with her.

In this passage, wisdom is once again imagined as a woman who cries out to be heard (Proverbs 1:20–21). Wisdom extols her own truth and value. Wisdom was part of God's creative power long before even the creation of the universe. The chapter again returns to the many benefits of godly wisdom, before completing those declarations at the start of the next chapter.

Thus far in Proverbs, Solomon has spoken about the virtues of wisdom and the need to acquire it and live by it. He has also warned about the dangers of rejecting wisdom. Chapter 7 ended with a description of a promiscuous woman seducing a foolish young man. Now, in chapter 8, he lets wisdom speak, once again personified as a woman. She speaks about her existence before creation and her gift of life to all who find her. This analogy continues into chapter 9.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.