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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 8:4 "To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/20_Pro_08_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 8:4 - The Excellence of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/8-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/8-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/8-3.htm" title="Proverbs 8:3">◄</a> Proverbs 8:4 <a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm" title="Proverbs 8:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice <i>is</i> to the sons of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call, And my voice <i>is</i> to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“To you, people, I call, And my voice is to mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is directed to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"I am calling out to each one of you! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I am calling to all of you, and my appeal is to all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I appeal to all of you; I call to everyone on earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"To you, O people, I call out, and my voice calls to all mankind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"To you men, I call. I send my voice to the sons of humankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“To you, O men, I call, "" And my voice [is] to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice is unto the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To you, ye men, I shall call, and my voice is to the sons of man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“O men, to you I call out, and my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“To you, O people, I call; my appeal is to you mortals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And she says, "To you, men, I call, and my voice to the children of men"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/8-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1313" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">The Excellence of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. ">“To you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’î·šîm (N-mp) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">O men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: ’eq·rā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">I call out,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: wə·qō·w·lî (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">and my cry</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">is to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of men.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-20.htm">Proverbs 1:20-23</a></span><br />Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; / in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: / “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-3.htm">Proverbs 9:3-6</a></span><br />She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. / “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. / “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-3</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a></span><br />On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a></span><br />Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-9.htm">Matthew 22:9-10</a></span><br />Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ / So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-21.htm">Luke 14:21-23</a></span><br />The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ / ‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ / So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-32.htm">John 12:32</a></span><br />And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-12.htm">Romans 10:12-13</a></span><br />For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, / for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Revelation 22:17</a></span><br />The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">Psalm 49:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world, / both low and high, rich and poor alike. / My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-130.htm">Psalm 119:130</a></span><br />The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a></span><br />“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">Psalm 49:1-3</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all <i>ye</i> people; give ear, all <i>ye</i> inhabitants of the world: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-1.htm">Psalm 50:1</a></b></br> A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, <i>even</i> the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-15.htm">Matthew 11:15</a></b></br> He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-3.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/psalms/73-5.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-3.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/19-12.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-15.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-10.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-3.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">the fame</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">and evidence of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">The excellence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-12.htm">the nature</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-15.htm">the power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">the riches</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">and the eternity of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm">Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>To you, O men, I call out</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the universal appeal of wisdom. In the biblical context, "men" often refers to humanity in general, not just males. Wisdom is personified here, suggesting that it is accessible and available to all people. The call to "men" can be seen as an invitation to heed wisdom's voice, which echoes throughout the book of Proverbs. This aligns with the biblical theme that God desires all people to seek and embrace wisdom (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>). The act of calling out implies urgency and importance, indicating that wisdom is not passive but actively seeks to engage with humanity.<p><b>and my cry is to the sons of men.</b><br>The "sons of men" is a Hebrew idiom that refers to human beings, emphasizing the inclusivity of wisdom's appeal. This phrase suggests a direct and personal invitation to each individual, highlighting the relational aspect of wisdom. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued and seen as a divine attribute. The cry of wisdom can be compared to the prophetic calls found throughout the Old Testament, where prophets urged the people to return to God's ways (<a href="/isaiah/55.htm">Isaiah 55:1-3</a>). This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the embodiment of wisdom (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>), calling all to follow Him. The persistent cry of wisdom reflects God's desire for humanity to live in accordance with His will, offering guidance and understanding to those who seek it.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>Personified as a woman calling out to humanity, urging them to heed her voice and embrace understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/men.htm">Men</a></b><br>Refers to humanity in general, emphasizing that the call of wisdom is universal and inclusive.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sons_of_men.htm">Sons of Men</a></b><br>A Hebrew idiom for human beings, highlighting the intended audience of wisdom's call as all people, regardless of status or background.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_wisdom's_call.htm">The Universality of Wisdom's Call</a></b><br>Wisdom calls out to all people, indicating that God's truth and guidance are available to everyone, not just a select few.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>The call to "men" and "sons of men" underscores the need for attentiveness and responsiveness to God's wisdom in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_as_a_divine_attribute.htm">Wisdom as a Divine Attribute</a></b><br>Understanding wisdom as a reflection of God's character encourages believers to seek wisdom as a way to grow closer to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_application_of_wisdom.htm">Practical Application of Wisdom</a></b><br>Emphasizes the need to apply wisdom in practical ways, such as decision-making, relationships, and moral choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility_in_receiving_wisdom.htm">The Role of Humility in Receiving Wisdom</a></b><br>Recognizing our need for wisdom requires humility, as we acknowledge our limitations and seek God's guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_spirit_of_adoption_mean.htm">What does the Spirit of Adoption mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_constitutes_the_sin_of_unbelief.htm">What constitutes the sin of unbelief?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god_the_only_savior_in_hosea_13_4.htm">Hosea 13:4: How can God declare 'there is no Savior besides Me' while other passages depict human saviors or mediators, seeming to contradict this exclusivity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_charles_stanley.htm">How can I overcome fear of God's wrath?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">O men<span class= "ital">--</span></span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>"great ones;" "sons of man" are those of inferior rank; comp. the Hebrew of <a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm" title="And the mean man bows down, and the great man humbles himself: therefore forgive them not.">Isaiah 2:9</a>, where the same words are translated "great man," and "mean man." Comp. the generality of the invitation of <a href="/psalms/49-2.htm" title="Both low and high, rich and poor, together.">Psalm 49:2</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 4-11.</span> - She summons various classes of persons to attend to her, showing how trustworthy she is, and how precious her instruction. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Unto you, O men, I call.</span> "Men," <span class="accented">ishim</span> (<span class="hebrew">אִישִׁים</span>); equivalent to <span class="greek">ἄνδρες</span>, <span class="accented">viri</span>, men in the highest sense, who have some wisdom and experience, but need further enlightenment (<a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/141-4.htm">Psalm 141:4</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The sons of man;</span> <span class="hebrew">בְּנֵי אָדָם</span>, "children of Adam;" equivalent to <span class="greek">ἄνθρωποι</span>, <span class="accented">homines</span>, the general kind of men, who are taken up with material interests. St. Gregory notes ('Moral ,' 27:6) that persons (<span class="accented">heroines</span>) of perfect life are in Scripture sometimes called "men" (<span class="accented">viri</span>). And again, "Scripture is wont to call those persons 'men' who follow the ways of the Lord with firm and steady steps. Whence Wisdom says in the Proverbs, 'Unto you, O men, I call.' As if she were saying openly, 'I do not speak to women, but to men; because they who are of an unstable mind cannot at all understand my words'" ('Moral.,' 28:12, Oxford transl.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/8-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“To you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵיכֶ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O men,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִישִׁ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(’î·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I call out,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶקְרָ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(’eq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and my cry</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝קוֹלִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qō·w·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/8-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:4 To you men I call! 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