She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. She has sent out her maidservantsIn this phrase, "she" refers to Wisdom, personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs. The act of sending out maidservants signifies the proactive and intentional effort of Wisdom to reach out to those who are in need of guidance. The Hebrew root for "sent out" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a mission or commission, suggesting that these maidservants are entrusted with an important task. Historically, maidservants were often seen as extensions of their mistress's will, indicating that Wisdom's message is authoritative and purposeful. This reflects the divine initiative in seeking humanity, emphasizing that God’s wisdom is not hidden but actively offered to all who are willing to listen. she calls out
The phrase "she calls out" highlights the vocal and public nature of Wisdom's invitation. The Hebrew word for "calls out" (קָרָא, qara) conveys a sense of urgency and importance. It is not a whisper or a private conversation but a loud proclamation meant to capture attention. This calling is reminiscent of the prophetic tradition in Israel, where prophets would publicly declare God's messages. It underscores the accessibility of divine wisdom and the earnest desire of God for people to heed His guidance. The call is an open invitation, emphasizing that wisdom is available to all who are willing to respond. from the heights of the city
The "heights of the city" refers to a place of visibility and prominence. In ancient cities, the high places were often where important announcements were made, ensuring that the message reached as many people as possible. The Hebrew term for "heights" (מָרוֹם, marom) can also imply a place of authority or significance. This setting symbolizes the elevated status of Wisdom and the importance of her message. It suggests that the call of Wisdom is not hidden in obscurity but is made from a position of influence, intended to reach the entire community. This imagery reinforces the idea that God's wisdom is not confined to the elite or the secluded but is proclaimed openly for all to hear and embrace. Persons / Places / Events 1. WisdomPersonified as a woman who is proactive in inviting others to learn and gain understanding. In the context of Proverbs, Wisdom is often depicted as a noble and virtuous woman. 2. MaidservantsThese are the messengers or representatives of Wisdom, sent out to extend her invitation. They symbolize the various ways wisdom is communicated and shared. 3. Heights of the CityThis refers to a prominent and visible place, suggesting that the call of wisdom is public and accessible to all who are willing to listen. Teaching Points The Invitation of WisdomWisdom actively seeks out those who are willing to learn. It is not hidden or exclusive but is available to all who are open to receiving it. The Role of MessengersJust as Wisdom sends out her maidservants, believers are called to be messengers of God's truth, sharing His wisdom with others. Public ProclamationThe call from the heights of the city signifies that wisdom should be proclaimed boldly and publicly, not kept hidden or private. Accessibility of WisdomWisdom is not reserved for the elite or the educated; it is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or status. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the personification of wisdom as a woman in Proverbs 9:3 enhance our understanding of the nature of wisdom? 2. In what ways can we act as "maidservants" of wisdom in our daily lives, sharing God's truth with others? 3. What are some modern "heights of the city" where we can proclaim wisdom today, and how can we effectively use these platforms? 4. How does the open invitation of wisdom in Proverbs 9:3 challenge our approach to sharing the Gospel with others? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought wisdom from God. How did you experience His guidance, and how can this encourage others to seek wisdom? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 1:20-21This passage also personifies wisdom as calling out in public places, emphasizing the accessibility and openness of wisdom's invitation. Matthew 22:1-14The parable of the wedding banquet, where servants are sent out to invite guests, parallels the idea of an open invitation to partake in wisdom and understanding. James 1:5This verse encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, reinforcing the idea that wisdom is available to those who seek it. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Calleth, Calls, Cries, Crieth, Damsels, Forth, Goes, Heights, Highest, Maidens, Maids, Places, Point, Saying, Summits, Tops, Town, Voice, Women-servantsDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 9:1-4 5340 house Proverbs 9:1-6 4478 meat
5312 feasting
8365 wisdom, human Library The Temple of Wisdom
(Preached at Wellington College, All Saints' Day, 1866.) PROVERBS ix. 1-5. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and to him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. This allegory has been …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other SermonsThe Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from their Failing to Teach Heart-Prayer --Exhortation to Pastors to Lead People Towards this Form Of
If all those who are working for the conquest of souls sought to win them by the heart, leading them first of all to prayer and to the inner life, they would see many and lasting conversions. But so long as they only address themselves to the outside, and instead of drawing people to Christ by occupying their hearts with Him, they only give them a thousand precepts for outward observances, they will see but little fruit, and that will not be lasting. When once the heart is won, other defects are …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Letter xxi (Circa A. D. 1128) to the Abbot of S. John at Chartres
To the Abbot of S. John at Chartres Bernard dissuades him from resigning his charge, and undertaking a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 1. As regards the matters about which you were so good as to consult so humble a person as myself, I had at first determined not to reply. Not because I had any doubt what to say, but because it seemed to me unnecessary or even presumptuous to give counsel to a man of sense and wisdom. But considering that it usually happens that the greater number of persons of sense--or …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux To Pastors and Teachers
To Pastors and Teachers If all who laboured for the conversion of others were to introduce them immediately into Prayer and the Interior Life, and make it their main design to gain and win over the heart, numberless as well as permanent conversions would certainly ensue. On the contrary, few and transient fruits must attend that labour which is confined to outward matters; such as burdening the disciple with a thousand precepts for external exercises, instead of leaving the soul to Christ by the …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to Reside in Germany in 1820
1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting manner. 1 mo. 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought I could almost have publicly …
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy. The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 9:3 NIVProverbs 9:3 NLTProverbs 9:3 ESVProverbs 9:3 NASBProverbs 9:3 KJV
Proverbs 9:3 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
