Proverbs 8:6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁ֭מְעוּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁ֭מְעוּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 7
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נְגִידִ֣ים
of excellent things
H5057
נְגִידִ֣ים
of excellent things
Strong's:
H5057
Word #:
3 of 7
a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר
for I will speak
H1696
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר
for I will speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 7
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּמִפְתַּ֥ח
and the opening
H4669
וּמִפְתַּ֥ח
and the opening
Strong's:
H4669
Word #:
5 of 7
an aperture, i.e., (figuratively) utterance
Historical Context
Part of wisdom's public proclamation (ch.8), asserting authority over against other voices competing for attention. In ancient marketplace of ideas, wisdom demanded hearing based on message quality.
Questions for Reflection
- What competing voices are drowning out wisdom's call in your life?
- How do you distinguish truly excellent and right speech from merely popular opinion?
Analysis & Commentary
Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and opening my lips shall be right things. Wisdom's speech is both excellent (negidim - princely, noble things) and right (mesharim - upright, equitable things). This verse establishes wisdom's message as supremely valuable and morally correct. Unlike deceivers who speak pleasant lies, wisdom speaks hard truths that lead to life. The call to hear emphasizes receptivity to authoritative truth.