Proverbs 8:34
New International Version
Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

New Living Translation
Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!

English Standard Version
Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Berean Standard Bible
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

King James Bible
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

New King James Version
Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

New American Standard Bible
“Blessed is the person who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.

NASB 1995
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.

NASB 1977
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.

Legacy Standard Bible
How blessed is the man who hears me, To watch daily at my doors, To keep watch at my doorposts.

Amplified Bible
“Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.

Christian Standard Bible
Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.

American Standard Version
Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

Contemporary English Version
Come to my home each day and listen to me. You will find happiness.

English Revised Version
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Blessed is the person who listens to me, watches at my door day after day, and waits by my doorposts.

Good News Translation
Those who listen to me will be happy--those who stay at my door every day, waiting at the entrance to my home.

International Standard Version
Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways—

Majority Standard Bible
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

NET Bible
Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching at my doors day by day, waiting beside my doorway.

New Heart English Bible
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

Webster's Bible Translation
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

World English Bible
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O the blessedness of the man listening to me, "" To watch at my doors day by day, "" To watch at the doorposts of my entrance.

Young's Literal Translation
O the happiness of the man hearkening to me, To watch at my doors day by day, To watch at the door-posts of my entrance.

Smith's Literal Translation
Happy the man hearing to me, to watch at my doors day, day; to watch the door posts of my entrances.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Blessed is the man who listens to me, and who stands watch at my gates everyday, and who observes at the posts of my doors.

New American Bible
Happy the one who listens to me, attending daily at my gates, keeping watch at my doorposts;

New Revised Standard Version
Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Blessed is the man who heeds me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my threshold.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Blessed is the man who will listen to me and will keep watch upon my gates all day and guards the posts of my gates.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, Watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Excellence of Wisdom
33Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. 34Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. 35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.…

Cross References
James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Matthew 7:24
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Psalm 119:1-2
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. / Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Matthew 13:16-17
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. / For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

John 13:17
If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Luke 6:47-48
I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Psalm 32:8-9
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. / Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

Psalm 84:10
For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

watching

Proverbs 1:21
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

Proverbs 2:3,4
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; …

Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Jump to Previous
Blessed Daily Door Doorposts Door-Posts Doors Doorway Ear Entrance Gates Gives Happiness Happy Heareth Hearkeneth Hearkening Hears Keeping Listens Pillars Posts Waiting Watch Watching
Jump to Next
Blessed Daily Door Doorposts Door-Posts Doors Doorway Ear Entrance Gates Gives Happiness Happy Heareth Hearkeneth Hearkening Hears Keeping Listens Pillars Posts Waiting Watch Watching
Proverbs 8
1. the fame
6. 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














Blessed is the man who listens to me
This phrase emphasizes the importance of wisdom, personified as a woman calling out to humanity. Listening to wisdom is equated with receiving blessings, a theme consistent throughout Proverbs. The Hebrew concept of "blessed" implies a state of happiness and fulfillment that comes from aligning with God's will. This echoes the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, where listening and obeying God's commandments are central. The call to listen also parallels Jesus' teachings in the New Testament, where He often says, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15), emphasizing the importance of spiritual receptivity.

Watching daily at my doors
The imagery of watching at the doors suggests a posture of anticipation and readiness. In ancient Near Eastern culture, city gates and doorways were places of judgment and wisdom, where elders and leaders would gather. This phrase implies a daily, disciplined pursuit of wisdom, akin to the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who examined the Scriptures daily. The idea of "doors" can also symbolize opportunities and access to divine truth, reminiscent of Jesus' statement in John 10:9, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved."

Waiting at the posts of my doorway
Waiting at the posts signifies patience and perseverance in seeking wisdom. In biblical times, doorposts were significant in marking the boundaries of a household, as seen in the Passover narrative (Exodus 12:7). This phrase suggests a commitment to remain steadfast in the pursuit of understanding. The act of waiting is often associated with hope and trust in God's timing, as seen in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength." This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate wisdom and whom believers are called to wait upon and follow.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wisdom
Personified as a woman calling out to people, urging them to listen and follow her guidance. In Proverbs, Wisdom is often depicted as a divine attribute, closely associated with God’s character and creation.

2. The Listener
The individual who actively seeks wisdom, characterized by attentiveness and patience. This person is blessed for their diligence and desire to learn.

3. The Doors and Doorway
Symbolic places representing the entrance to wisdom and understanding. They suggest a place of opportunity and decision, where one must choose to enter and engage with wisdom.
Teaching Points
The Blessing of Listening
Actively listening to wisdom brings blessings. It requires humility and a willingness to learn and grow.

Daily Vigilance
Seeking wisdom is a daily pursuit. Just as one watches and waits at a door, we must consistently seek God’s guidance and truth.

Patience and Expectation
Waiting at the posts of wisdom’s doorway implies patience and expectation. We must trust in God’s timing and be ready to receive His insights.

The Pursuit of Wisdom
Wisdom is not passive; it requires intentional pursuit. Engage with Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel to grow in understanding.

The Role of Obedience
Listening to wisdom involves obedience. It’s not enough to hear; we must also act on the wisdom we receive.(34) Watching daily at my gates.--A figure taken from an ardent scholar waiting till the doors of the school are opened, and he can begin his studies. Or it represents a courtier expecting the appearance of his sovereign, or a lover that of his mistress. (Comp. Wisdom Of Solomon 8:2.)

Verse 34. - Watching daily at my gates. The idea suggested has been variously taken; e.g. as that of eager students waiting at the school door for their teacher's appearance; clients besieging a great man's portals; Levites guarding the doors of the temple; a lover at his mistress's gate. This last notion is supported by Wisd. 8:2, "I loved her, and sought her out from my youth; I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty." Waiting at the posts of my doors; keeping close to the entrance, so as to be quite sure of not missing her whom he longs to see.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Blessed
אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי (’aš·rê)
Interjection
Strong's 835: Happiness, interjection, how happy!

is the man
אָדָם֮ (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

who listens
שֹׁמֵ֪עַֽ֫ (šō·mê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to me,
לִ֥י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

watching
לִשְׁקֹ֣ד (liš·qōḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8245: To be alert, sleepless, to be on the lookout

daily
י֤וֹם ׀ (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

at
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my doors,
דַּ֭לְתֹתַי (dal·ṯō·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

waiting
לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

at the posts
מְזוּזֹ֥ת (mə·zū·zōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4201: A doorpost, gatepost

of my doorway.
פְּתָחָֽי׃ (pə·ṯā·ḥāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way


Links
Proverbs 8:34 NIV
Proverbs 8:34 NLT
Proverbs 8:34 ESV
Proverbs 8:34 NASB
Proverbs 8:34 KJV

Proverbs 8:34 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 8:34 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 8:34 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 8:34 French Bible
Proverbs 8:34 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:34 Blessed is the man who hears me (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 8:33
Top of Page
Top of Page