Proverbs 8:2

She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. SHE STANDETH IN THE TOP OF HIGH PLACES, BY THE WAY IN THE PLACES OF THE PATHS. "Standeth" implies assiduous perseverance in her gracious calls to men. Instead of taking her stand in dark places, in a corner (), like the harlot (), she standeth "in the top of high places," where all going to and fro may hear. "By (Hebrew, above) the way" - i:e., near the way whereby travelers pass, that she may direct them in their journey. "In the places of the paths" - literally, 'the house of paths;' i:e., where many paths meet (, "the parting of the way" - literally, the mother of the way)....

1-11 The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend to instruction. Yet attention to the words of Christ, will guide the most ignorant into saving knowledge of the truth. Where there is an understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silver and gold....

Verse Proverbs 8:2. _IN THE PLACES OF THE PATHS._] בית נתיבת נצבה _beith_ _nethiboth nitstsabah_, "The constituted house of the paths." Does not this mean the house of public worship? the tabernacle or temple, which stands a centre to the surrounding villages, the paths from all the parts leading to and terminating at it? In such a place, where the holy word of God is read or preached, there in a particular manner does wisdom _cry_, and _understanding lift up her_ _voice_. There are the warnings, the precepts, and the promises of eternal truth; there the _bread of God_ is broken to his children, and thither they that _will_ may come and take the _water of life_ freely....

The full enumeration of localities points to the publicity and openness of Wisdom’s teaching (see Proverbs 1:20 note), as contrasted with the stealth and secrecy and darkness which shroud the harlot’s enticements Proverbs 7:9....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 8:1 14. _Fourteenth admonitory discourse _concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exhibits in the most marked manner the nothingness of the deceiver's gifts. One is reminded of the celebrated episode of the choice of Hercules, delineated by Xenophon, 'Memorab.,' 2.1. 21, etc. The chapter divides itself into four sections. (1) Introductory (Proverbs 7:1); Wisdom calls on all to listen, and gives reasons for trusting to her ...

SHE STANDETH IN THE TOP OF HIGH PLACES,.... To be both seen and heard, for which reason Christ went up into a mountain and preached, Matthew 5:1; BY THE WAY; the roadside, to instruct and direct passengers as they go along, to show them the right way, and caution them against taking wrong ways; so did Christ, Matthew 16:6; IN THE PLACES OF THE PATHS; or, "between the paths" s; where more ways than one met together, and so difficult to know which was the right path to take; here Christ stands in the ministry of the word to direct, and says, "this is the way, walk ye in it", Isaiah 30:21; and as there are many ways which are proposed to men to walk in, some of open profaneness and impiety,

CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The call and appeal of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1)_ 2. What wisdom is and what wisdom gives (Proverbs 8:12) 3. Wisdom; the Person, who He is (Proverbs 8:22) 4. The renewed appeal (Proverbs 8:32) Proverbs 8:1. This is one of the most interesting Chapter s in the entire book. It begins with a call and appeal of wisdom, much like the call and appeal of the first chapter. If wisdom calls, has a voice, then wisdom must also be a person. Who personified wisdom is we learn most blessedly in this chapt

PROVERBS 8. WISDOM SPEAKS IN HER OWN PERSON. This chapter forms at once the nucleus and the climax of this section of the book. The series of addresses on practical wisdom is fitly closed by a profounder presentation of wisdom as the moving principle in the ways of God. It reinforces the practical maxims of Proverbs 8:1 with the fundamental principle that the wise man is in harmony with God. Its date probably fixes the date of the whole section (see Introduction, and for a fuller discussion especially Cheyne, _Job and Solomon,_ pp. 156f.). The relation of the conception of Wisdom personified to the Stoic Logos and to Greek philosophy in general cannot be discussed here. (See _Wisdom Literature_ in HDB, and especially the excellent introduction by Holmes to the Book of Wisdom in Charles-' _Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha._) The two main lines of development of this conception in H

HIGH PLACES. places of vantage. IN THE PLACES OF THE PATHS. in the places where the paths meet....

Proverbs 8:1. _The call of Wisdom_. Comp. Proverbs 1:20-21....