Proverbs 8:4

4 You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.

Proverbs 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 8:4

Unto you, O men, I call
Not angels, the fallen angels; for, as they had nothing to do with Christ, he had nothing to do with them, or say unto them, ( Matthew 8:29 ) ; nor the brutes, irrational creatures; for, though the Gospel is to be preached to every creature, yet only to rational ones, ( Mark 16:15 ) , "men", whom God has loved and Christ has redeemed; these are by the Gospel called, and called effectually. There are some men indeed who are only externally called; but there are others who are also called with an holy calling, of which (See Gill on Proverbs 1:24). Some think men of eminence are here meant, as rich men, so Aben Ezra; or men of wisdom and knowledge, such as the Scribes and Pharisees, and learned doctors among the Jews; but it rather seems to design men indefinitely, of whatsoever rank or order, state or condition;

and my voice [is] to the sons of men;
which some interpret of the poor, as Aben Ezra; or those who are more illiterate, or the common people; so that high and low, rich and poor, have the Gospel preached unto them; but the phrase seems to intend the same as before, the same thing is said in different words.

Proverbs 8:4 In-Context

2 For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.
3 For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, ,
4 You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.
5 O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge.
6 Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn ; and will produce right from my lips.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.