Proverbs 1:20

Wisdom ¹  calls out ²  in the street, she shouts loudly ³  in the plazas; ⁴ 

biblegateway Pro 1:20

Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;

biblegateway Pro 1:20

Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square;

biblegateway Pro 1:20

Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.

biblegateway Pro 1:20

Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts. At the town center she makes her speech.

SABDAweb Pro 1:20

Wisdom is crying out in the street; her voice is loud in the open places;

bibleoremus Pro 1:20

Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice.

biblegateway Pro 1:20

Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.

biblegateway Pro 1:20

Wisdom ¹  calls out ²  in the street, she shouts loudly ³  in the plazas; ⁴ 

¹ tn The noun חָכְמָה (khokhmah, “wisdom”) is the abstract feminine plural form. It probably functions as a plural of intensity, stressing the all-embracing, elevated wisdom (W. McKane, Proverbs [OTL], 272). As in 8:1-9:11, Wisdom is personified as a righteous woman in 1:20-33.

² sn The verb רָנַן (ranan, “to cry out, give a ringing cry”) always expresses excitement, whether of joyful praise or lamentable sorrow (BDB 943 s.v.). Here it is an excited summons.

³ tn Heb “she gives her voice.” The expression means to shout loudly (BDB 679 s.v. נָתַן Qal.x).

⁴ sn The word רְחֹבוֹת (rÿkhovot, “plazas”) refers to the wide plazas or broad open spaces near the gate where all the people assembled. The personification of wisdom as a woman crying out in this place would be a vivid picture of the public appeal to all who pass by.