Commentari biblici

VIII.

(n). Fourteenth Discourse:—The Praise of Wisdom (Proverbs 8)

(1) Doth not wisdom cry?—See above on Proverbs 1:20. In contrast with the secret allurements of Vice under the cover of night, is here represented the open invitation of Wisdom. (Comp. John 18:20 : “I spake openly to the world . . . and in secret have I said nothing.”)

(2) She standeth in the top of high places.—i.e., in the higher parts of the city, where her voice will best be heard.

By the way . . .—She goes everywhere where she may find the greatest concourse of people, “God not being willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9). So the apostles made large centres of population such as Antioch, Ephesus, or Corinth, the headquarters of their missionary enterprise.

(4) O men—i.e., “great ones;” “sons of man” are those of inferior rank; comp. the Hebrew of Isaiah 2:9, where the same words are translated “great man,” and “mean man.” Comp. the generality of the invitation of Psalm 49:2.

(5) O ye simple.—See above on Proverbs 1:4 for an explanation of “simple,” as also of “wisdom” (‘ormah) there translated “subtilty.”

Ye fools.—(khesîlîm), see above on Proverbs 1:22.

(6) The opening of my lips shall be right things.—That is, I will open my mouth to speak them.

(8) Froward.—That is, twisted, or crooked.

(9) They are all plain . . .—Because “the secret of the Lord is (only) with them that fear Him “(Psalm 25:14), and God reveals such things unto them by His Spirit (1Corinthians 2:10), while the “natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him” (ibid., Proverbs 8:14).

(11) Rubies.—See above on Proverbs 3:15.