Proverbs 8:2
New International Version
At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

New Living Translation
On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.

English Standard Version
On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;

Berean Standard Bible
On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.

King James Bible
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

New King James Version
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.

New American Standard Bible
On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

NASB 1995
On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

NASB 1977
On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

Legacy Standard Bible
At the top of the heights upon the way, Where the pathways meet, she takes her stand;

Amplified Bible
On the top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;

Christian Standard Bible
At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

American Standard Version
On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth;

Contemporary English Version
as she stands at the crossroads and on every hill.

English Revised Version
In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Wisdom] takes its stand on high ground, by the wayside where the roads meet,

Good News Translation
On the hilltops near the road and at the crossroads she stands.

International Standard Version
On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet.

Majority Standard Bible
On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.

NET Bible
At the top of the elevated places along the way, at the intersection of the paths she takes her stand;

New Heart English Bible
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

Webster's Bible Translation
She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

World English Bible
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
At the head of high places by the way, "" She has stood between the paths,

Young's Literal Translation
At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,

Smith's Literal Translation
She stood upon the head of the heights, upon the way of the house of the beaten paths.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the paths.

Catholic Public Domain Version
At the summits and the tops of exalted places, standing above the ways, in the midst of the paths,

New American Bible
On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand;

New Revised Standard Version
On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For wisdom is on the top of high places, she stands between the ways and by the paths.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For on top of the high places is wisdom; between the roads and upon the side of the paths she stands.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Excellence of Wisdom
1Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. 3Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:…

Cross References
Proverbs 1:20-21
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:

Proverbs 9:3
She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city.

Proverbs 9:14
She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,

Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 2:2-3
if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,

Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. / Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. / Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...

Proverbs 7:4
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

Proverbs 14:6
A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Luke 11:49
Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.


Treasury of Scripture

She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

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Head Heights High Highways Meet Meeting Paths Places Roads Stand Standeth Stands Stood Top Way
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Head Heights High Highways Meet Meeting Paths Places Roads Stand Standeth Stands Stood Top Way
Proverbs 8
1. the fame
6. and evidence of wisdom
10. The excellence
12. the nature
15. the power
18. the riches
22. and the eternity of wisdom
32. Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings














On the heights
The phrase "on the heights" suggests a place of prominence and visibility. In ancient times, high places were often associated with worship and divine encounters. The Hebrew word used here, "בְּרֹאשׁ" (berosh), implies a summit or a chief place. This indicates that wisdom is not hidden or obscure but is positioned where it can be seen and accessed by all. The imagery of heights also conveys the idea of wisdom being superior and exalted, calling us to look up and aspire to higher understanding and moral living.

overlooking the road
The "road" symbolizes the journey of life, with its various paths and choices. The Hebrew term "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh) is often used in Scripture to denote a way of life or conduct. Wisdom is portrayed as overseeing the road, suggesting that it provides guidance and direction for those traveling through life. This imagery emphasizes that wisdom is not passive but actively engaged in guiding us, offering insight and discernment for the decisions we face daily.

at the crossroads
Crossroads are places of decision and choice, where one must determine which path to take. The Hebrew word "מְסִלּוֹת" (mesillot) refers to paths or highways, indicating significant junctures in life. Wisdom positions herself at these critical points, ready to offer counsel and direction. This highlights the importance of seeking wisdom, especially when faced with pivotal decisions that can alter the course of our lives. It underscores the proactive nature of wisdom, always available to those who seek it.

she takes her stand
The phrase "she takes her stand" conveys a sense of firmness and authority. The Hebrew verb "נִצָּבָה" (nitzavah) suggests a deliberate and resolute action. Wisdom is personified as a woman who confidently positions herself to be heard and heeded. This imagery reflects the biblical portrayal of wisdom as both accessible and assertive, inviting us to listen and learn. It also implies that wisdom is steadfast and unchanging, a reliable guide amidst the uncertainties of life.

(2) She standeth in the top of high places.--i.e., in the higher parts of the city, where her voice will best be heard.

By the way . . .--She goes everywhere where she may find the greatest concourse of people, "God not being willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2Peter 3:9). So the apostles made large centres of population such as Antioch, Ephesus, or Corinth, the headquarters of their missionary enterprise.

Verse 2. - She standeth in the top of high places, by the way. She takes her stand, not in thievish corners of the streets, like the harlot, but in the most open and elevated parts of the city, where she may be best seen and heard by all who pass by (see Proverbs 1:21, and note there). In the places of the paths; i.e. where many paths converge, and where people meet from different quarters.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On the heights
בְּרֹאשׁ־ (bə·rōš-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

overlooking
עֲלֵי־ (‘ă·lê-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the road,
דָ֑רֶךְ (ḏā·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

at the crossroads
בֵּ֖ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

she takes her stand.
נִצָּֽבָה׃ (niṣ·ṣā·ḇāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:2 On the top of high places (Prov. Pro Pr)
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