Proverbs 8:4

4 "People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind.

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 At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

3 Beside the gates at the entry to the city, at the main entrance, she cries out:

4 "People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind.

5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish.

6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.