New International Version beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: New Living Translation By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, English Standard Version beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: Berean Standard Bible Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: Berean Literal Bible At the hand of the gates, at the mouth of the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out: King James Bible She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. New King James Version She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: New American Standard Bible Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: NASB 1995 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: NASB 1977 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: Legacy Standard Bible Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she makes a shout: Amplified Bible Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: Berean Annotated Bible Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: Christian Standard Bible Beside the gates leading into the city, at the main entrance, she cries out: Holman Christian Standard Bible Beside the gates at the entry to the city, at the main entrance, she cries out:” American Standard Version Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: Contemporary English Version She stands by the city gate where everyone enters the city, and she shouts: English Revised Version Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: GOD'S WORD® Translation near the gates to the city. At the entrance [wisdom] sings its song, Good News Translation At the entrance to the city, beside the gates, she calls: International Standard Version Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud: NET Bible beside the gates opening into the city, at the entrance of the doorways she cries out: New Heart English Bible Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: Webster's Bible Translation She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBeside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: World English Bible Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAt the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, "" The entrance of the openings, she cries aloud, Berean Literal Bible At the hand of the gates, at the mouth of the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out: Young's Literal Translation At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, The entrance of the openings, she crieth aloud, Smith's Literal Translation At the hand of the gates, at the mouth of the city from the coming in of the doors she will cry: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBeside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying: Catholic Public Domain Version beside the gates of the city, at the very doors, she speaks, saying: New American Bible By the gates at the approaches of the city, in the entryways she cries aloud: New Revised Standard Version beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleShe cries at the gates, at the entrance of the city; she cries aloud, saying, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Over the gates with her mouth she calls, and in the entrances of the gates of The Glorious City. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: Brenton Septuagint Translation For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, saying, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Excellence of Wisdom…2On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. 3Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: 4“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.… Cross References Beside the gates to the city, 2 Samuel 15:2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” Job 29:7 When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square, Ruth 4:1 Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. at the entrances Proverbs 1:21 in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: Jeremiah 17:19-20 This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem. / Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. Deuteronomy 17:5 you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death. she cries out: Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; Proverbs 9:3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! Matthew 22:9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ Luke 14:21 The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ John 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Isaiah 56:1 This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is coming soon, and My righteousness will be revealed. Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Treasury of Scripture She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Matthew 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. Luke 14:21-23 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind… Romans 15:18-21 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, … Jump to Previous Aloud City Cries Crieth Cry Doors Doorways Entrance Entrances Entry Front Gates Goes Leading Mouth Opening Openings Roads Side VoiceJump to Next Aloud City Cries Crieth Cry Doors Doorways Entrance Entrances Entry Front Gates Goes Leading Mouth Opening Openings Roads Side VoiceProverbs 8 1. the fame6. and evidence of wisdom 10. The excellence 12. the nature 15. the power 18. the riches 22. and the eternity of wisdom 32. Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings Beside the gates to the city, City gates were centers of public life, where elders heard legal cases, business was conducted, and community decisions were made. Wisdom stands where authority and daily affairs meet, calling people to govern their choices with understanding and righteousness. 2Sa 15:2 He would get up early and stand beside the road… at the entrances The approaches to the city received residents, travelers, merchants, and laborers. By taking her place there, Wisdom makes her instruction openly available to everyone entering and leaving. Pro 1:21 in the main concourse she cries aloud,… she cries out: Wisdom’s call is public, urgent, and clear. She does not hide from those who need direction but summons them to receive truth before they act. Pro 1:20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice… Persons / Places / Events 1. Wisdom (Personified as a Woman)In Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified as a woman who calls out to people, urging them to listen and follow her ways. This personification emphasizes the value and accessibility of wisdom to all who seek it. 2. Gates to the City (Place) The gates of a city in ancient times were significant locations for public discourse, legal matters, and community gatherings. They were places where important decisions were made and where wisdom was needed. 3. Entrances (Place) Entrances refer to the points of access to the city, symbolizing the beginning of a journey or the threshold of new opportunities. Wisdom positions herself here to guide those entering into new phases of life. 4. The City (Place) Represents the community or society where people live and interact. Wisdom's presence at the city's gates indicates her relevance to everyday life and societal functioning. 5. The Cry (Event) The act of wisdom crying aloud signifies an urgent and public call to heed her teachings. It is an invitation to embrace wisdom in all aspects of life. Teaching Points The Accessibility of WisdomWisdom is not hidden or exclusive; it is available to all who seek it. Just as wisdom cries out at the gates, we should be attentive and open to receiving guidance in our daily lives. The Importance of Public Discourse Wisdom's presence at the city gates highlights the need for godly wisdom in public and communal decision-making. As Christians, we should advocate for and apply biblical principles in societal matters. Entering New Phases with Wisdom As we stand at the entrances of new opportunities or challenges, seeking wisdom should be our priority. This ensures that our decisions align with God's will and lead to fruitful outcomes. Responding to the Call of Wisdom Wisdom's cry is urgent and persistent. We must be proactive in seeking and applying wisdom in our lives, recognizing its value in guiding us through complex situations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 8:3?2. How can we apply Proverbs 8:3 to our daily decision-making process? 3. What does Proverbs 8:3 teach about wisdom's accessibility to everyone? 4. How does Proverbs 8:3 connect with James 1:5 on seeking wisdom? 5. In what ways can we "call out" wisdom in our communities today? 6. How does Proverbs 8:3 encourage us to prioritize wisdom in public life? 7. What is the significance of "beside the gates" in Proverbs 8:3 for ancient city life? 8. How does Proverbs 8:3 reflect the role of wisdom in public spaces? 9. Why is wisdom personified as a woman in Proverbs 8:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 8? Verse 3. - The expressions in the text indicate the position which she takes and its capabilities. At the hand of the gates (1 Samuel 19:3). She posts herself at the side of the city gates, under the archway pierced in the wall, where she is sure of an audience. At the mouth of the city, inside the gate, where people pass on their way to the country. At the coming in at the doors, by which persons enter the town. Thus she catches all comers, those who are entering, as well as those who are leaving the city. Here standing, as in the Agora or Forum, she crieth; she calls aloud, saying what follows (vers. 4-36). It is a fine picture of the comprehensiveness of the gospel, which is meant for high and low, prince and peasant; which is proclaimed everywhere, in the courts of kings, in the lanes of the country, in the hovels of the city; which sets forth the infinite love of God, who is not willing that any should perish, but would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9). Septuagint, "By the gates of the mighty she sits, in the entrances she sings aloud (ὑμνεῖται)." Proverbs 8:3 shows Wisdom deliberately standing where people gather, transact, and decide, making God’s counsel unavoidable and publicly accessible. Every threshold of life—civic, commercial, personal—echoes her urgent invitation. Those who pause to listen gain guidance and life; those who ignore her pass by the very voice of God calling them to blessing. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Besideלְיַד־ (lə·yaḏ-) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand the gates שְׁעָרִ֥ים (šə·‘ā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate to לְפִי־ (lə·p̄î-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to the city, קָ֑רֶת (qā·reṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7176: Town, city at the entrances מְב֖וֹא (mə·ḇō·w) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3996: An entrance, sunset, the west, towards she cries out: תָּרֹֽנָּה׃ (tā·rōn·nāh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural Strong's 7442: To give a ringing cry Additonal Resources Proverbs 8:3 Blue Letter BibleProverbs 8:3 Bible Gateway Proverbs 8:3 Bible.com Proverbs 8:3 NIV |
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