Proverbs 1:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

NIV: Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;

NASB: Wisdom shouts in the street, She raises her voice in the public square;

CSB: Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares.

NLT: Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.

KJV: Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

NKJV: Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.

Verse 20 paints a picture of wisdom, personified as a woman, crying out in the market place. The reason for staging this image in the marketplace is visibility. The market is a crowded, public area, one where everyone in the community needs to go. In other words, Solomon is suggesting that wisdom is accessible to anyone and everyone who actually wants it. And, because she "cries aloud" and "raises her voice" in a public place, even those who aren't specifically seeking her are going to encounter her, at least by accident. Wisdom does not hide itself. It is clear and present. Even those who don't seek wisdom will stumble into it, at times. The only way to completely avoid wisdom is to purposefully ignore it.

There is a contrast here between wisdom and the sins Solomon described in verses 11–14. Sin is enticing, in a get-rich-quick sense. Wisdom is available, and accessible to anyone, but it also requires work.

Proverbs 1:20–33 concludes the first chapter of Proverbs with the dire consequences of the behaviors defined in the previous section. Also, in this segment is the first personification of wisdom as a female. Throughout Proverbs, Solomon likens wisdom to a woman crying out. The theme is that she is not hiding but is out in the open for all to hear, even though she often goes overlooked.

Proverbs Chapter 1 provides a clear description of the purpose of the book. It is stated plainly who wrote the book, the lineage of Solomon, and to whom he was writing. Solomon gives four distinct purpose statements in the opening verses. The essence of these is to explain why he is writing the book as well as the source of his inspiration. Solomon concludes with a warning against sinfulness and a personal plea for his children to act wisely.

Proverbs Chapter 1 is clearly born out of Solomon’s life history. Solomon held himself back from no earthly pleasure, he had everything he could ever desire, and in the end he saw the foolishness of his actions. Chapter 1 is Solomon’s reflection on his own life, how he had all the wisdom of God available to him, and yet chose to follow after foolish desires. Other chapters detail the advice which this experience allows Solomon to give.

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.

Accessed 4/28/2024 2:41:42 AM