Proverbs 8:4

4 "I am calling to all of you, and my appeal is to all people.

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 [Wisdom] takes its stand on high ground, by the wayside where the roads meet,

3 near the gates to the city. At the entrance [wisdom] sings its song,

4 "I am calling to all of you, and my appeal is to all people.

5 You gullible people, learn how to be sensible. You fools, get a heart that has understanding.

6 Listen! I am speaking about noble things, and my lips will say what is right.