Proverbs 1 · Verse 20

Proverbs 1:20

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
Proverbs 1:20, King James Version

Proverbs 1:20 in other translations

BSBWisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square;
WEBWisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares.
ASVWisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places;
YLTWisdom in an out-place crieth aloud, In broad places she giveth forth her voice,
DARBYWisdom crieth without; she raiseth her voice in the broadways;
BBEWisdom is crying out in the street; her voice is loud in the open places;
WebsterWisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

What does Proverbs 1:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 1:20-33
20-33. Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare Lu 11:49). Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive (see on Pr 8:1). Wisdom--literally, "Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare Pr 9:1). streets--or most public places, not secretly.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Wisdom crieth - Here wisdom is again personified, as it is frequently, throughout this book; where nothing is meant but the teachings given to man, either by Divine revelation or the voice of the Holy Spirit in the heart. And this voice of wisdom is opposed to the seducing language of the wicked mentioned above. This voice is everywhere heard, in public, in private, in the streets, and in the house. Common sense, universal experience, and the law of justice written on the heart, as well as the law of God, testify against rapine and wrong of every kind.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 1:20-33
Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that make a jest of every thing. Scoffers at religion, that run down every thing sacred and serious. 3. Fools. Those are the worst of fools that hate to be taught, and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness. The precept is plain; Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs, if we do not turn from evil to that which is good. The promises are very encouraging. Men cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered? Now sinners live at ease, and set sorrow at defiance; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they shall cry in vain. Are we yet despisers of wisdom? Let us hearken diligently, and obey the Lord Jesus, that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God; be free from evil, in life, in death, and for ever.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 1:20 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

חָ֭כְמוֹתCha.khe.motwisdom<s>H2451
בַּח֣וּץba.Chutzin the streetH2351
תָּרֹ֑נָּהta.Ro.nahit cries aloudH7442
בָּ֝רְחֹב֗וֹתba.re.cho.Votin the open placesH7339
תִּתֵּ֥ןti.Tenshe givesH5414
קוֹלָֽהּ\׃ko.Lahvoice herH6963

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 1:20

  • Proverbs 9:3

    She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

  • Colossians 2:3

    In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

  • Proverbs 8:1-5

    Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. …

  • Luke 11:49

    Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:24

    But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

  • Matthew 13:54

    And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

  • John 7:37

    In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Wisdom. Heb. Wisdoms, that is, excellent wisdom.
Mt 13:54; Lu 11:49; 1Co 1:24,30; Col 2:3
crieth.
8:1-5; 9:3; Joh 7:37

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 1:19

    So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

  • Proverbs 1:20

    Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

  • 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,

Read all of Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		La sabiduría clama de fuera, da su voz en las plazas:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La sagesse crie au-dehors, elle fait retentir sa voix sur les places;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Die Weisheit schreit draußen, sie läßt auf den Straßen ihre Stimme erschallen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sapientia foris prædicat; in plateis dat vocem suam: