Proverbs 8:4

Unto you, O men, I call,.... Not angels, the fallen angels; for, as they had nothing to do with Christ, he had nothing to do with them, or say unto them, Matthew 8:29; nor the brutes, irrational

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice (is) to the sons of man. "O men" (Ishim) - Hebrew, men of high position-do not think my call beneath your dignity to accept.

To all men without exception, even to the meanest, who are thus called, .

Proverbs 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man.Ver. 4. Unto you, O men, I call.] O viri praestantes, - so some render it, O ye eminent men, whether for greatness of birth, wealth, or learning. The Pharisees and philosophers, for their learning, are called the "princes of this world." Sed sapientes sapienter in infernum descendunt, saith one; et potentes potenter torguebuntur, saith another. But "the world by wisdom knows not God"; and "not many wise men, not many mighty, not many noble are called." And yet they shall not want for calling, if that would do it, for "unto you, O mighty men, I call." Sed surdo plerunque fabulam, but all to little purpose, for the most part. They that lay their heads upon down pillows cannot so easily hear noises. Courts and great places prove ill air for zeal. Divitibus ideo pietas deest, quia nihil deest. Rich men’ s wealth proves a hindrance to their happiness. And my voice is to the sons of men,] i.e., To the meaner sort of people. See Psalms 49:2. These usually, like little fishes, bite more than bigger. The poor are evangelized, saith our Saviour. Smyrna was the poorest, but best of the seven churches. Certain it is, that many of the meaner sort hold that they are not bound to look after Scripture matters, but that it is for rich men and scholars only to do so. We have nothing, say they, to live by but these hands. How can day labourers and poor craftsmen attend to such things? The baser sort of people in Switzerland do always break the Sabbath, saying that it is only for gentlemen to keep that day. See Jeremiah 5:4 John 7:49. But Paul, a poor tent maker, could say, "Our conversation is in heaven"; and God’ s people are "afflicted and poor," yet "they trust in the name of the Lord." Who ever richer than Adam in Paradise? poorer than Job on the dunghill? Yet in Paradise Satan foiled Adam, on the dunghill Job foiled Satan. Think not that poverty can excuse from duty. Poor men also must listen to wisdom’ s voice, or it will be worse with them; there is yet but a beginning of their sorrows. ευαγγελιζονται. "πωςδυνησομαιχειροτεχνηςωνκαιπενηςφιλοσοφειν." - Chrysost, Hom. 22, ad Pop. Antioch.

(4) O men—i.e., “great ones;” “sons of man” are those of inferior rank; comp. the Hebrew of Isa 2:9, where the same words are translated “great man,” and “mean man.” Comp. the generality of the invitation of Psa 49:2.

Verse 4. Unto you, O men] אישים ishim, men of wealth and power, will I call; and not to you alone, for my voice is אל בני אדם al beney Adam, "to all the descendants of Adam;" to the whole human race. As Jesus Christ tasted death for every man, so the Gospel proclaims salvation to all: to YOU - to every individual, my voice is addressed. Thou hast sinned; and thou must perish, if not saved by grace.

Men ... sons of man - The two words are used, which, like viri and homines, describe the higher and the lower, the stronger and the weaker. Compare the Psalms 49:2 note.