Proverbs 8:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;

NIV: At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

NASB: On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

CSB: At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

NLT: On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.

KJV: She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

NKJV: She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.

In this verse Solomon depicts poetic locations where wisdom, personified in a woman, calls out. The questions asked in the prior verse imply that wisdom's call is not hidden (Proverbs 8:1). That idea is highlighted here: she takes up her position where people travel and congregate. Whether people travel over hilltops or meet at intersections, they cannot fail to hear her call.

Similarly, the gospel's call to salvation reaches people where they are. The hills are part of the creation that God has established as a witness to His existence and wisdom. In Psalm 8:1 David exclaimed, "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Romans 1:19–20 points out that creation offers sufficient evidence that God exists and reveals His eternal power and divine nature. Having rejected the witness of creation, unbelievers are without excuse. Today, too, the gospel calls upon people in the hill country and in the busy intersections to believe on Jesus, the source of wisdom.

For some in nations with a Christian heritage, anyone who has a radio can hear the call of the gospel wherever he may be.

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.