The Meaning of Proverbs 8:2 Explained

Proverbs 8:2

KJV: She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

YLT: At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,

Darby: On the top of high places by the way, at the cross-paths she taketh her stand.

ASV: On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Proverbs 8:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 8:1-21 - "better Than Gold"
This chapter contains a bewitching picture of Wisdom as a noble matron. Were it not for this feminine touch, we might, suppose that the Preacher had become a Prophet and was discerning the lineaments of Christ, who in His human life embodied the Divine Wisdom, as indeed He was the Eternal Word.
She stands in the open places; her ringing voice is heard down the streets, appealing to those who are entering the city gates or doors of the houses. There is no muttering or whispering; but the beauty of goodness illuminates all she says. She insists on her own value, as compared with the valuables that men prize. The central point in her promises is that she imparts those great moral qualities which imply the true leadership and right estimate of others. What a precious word is Proverbs 8:17 : but we can never forget that we love "because He first loved us." Oh, the mystery and wonder of it! And can that love ever fail us? [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Proverbs 8:2 mean?

on the top of the high hill Beside the way to the place the paths [meet] she takes her stand
בְּרֹאשׁ־ מְרוֹמִ֥ים עֲלֵי־ דָ֑רֶךְ בֵּ֖ית נְתִיב֣וֹת נִצָּֽבָה

בְּרֹאשׁ־  on  the  top 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: רֹאשׁ 
Sense: head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning.
מְרוֹמִ֥ים  of  the  high  hill 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מָרֹום  
Sense: height.
עֲלֵי־  Beside 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
דָ֑רֶךְ  the  way  to 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
בֵּ֖ית  the  place 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
נְתִיב֣וֹת  the  paths  [meet] 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: נָתִיב 
Sense: trodden with the feet, path, pathway.
נִצָּֽבָה  she  takes  her  stand 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: הֻצַּב 
Sense: to stand, take one’s stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish.

What are the major concepts related to Proverbs 8:2?

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