8:34

In this verse, the last two lines are similar in meaning. They both indicate in figurative language the attitude of a person who is eager to listen to Wisdom.

34a Blessed is the man who listens to me,

34b
watching daily at my doors,

34c
waiting at the posts of my doorway.

8:34a

Blessed is the man who listens to me: For the word Blessed, see 8:32b. For the verb listens, see 1:8a.

8:34b–c

watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway: The two verbs translated here as watching and waiting overlap in meaning. Both can mean “to watch.” When they are used as parallel terms, the first verb emphasizes paying careful attention, and the second verb stresses being alert or watchful. These two lines describe a person who alertly keeps watch outside the door of Wisdom’s house. He does this so that he may take advantage of every opportunity to enter the house, meet with her, and listen to her words.

doors…doorway: The first term is literally “gates.” The second term refers to the “doorpost” in a doorway. However, in this context, these terms function together as synonyms. No difference in meaning is intended. Both terms refer to the door, doorway, or entrance to Wisdom’s house. In some languages, it may not be necessary to specify “door” or “doorway.” That idea may be implicit in the statement about watching outside Wisdom’s house. See the Display for 8:34a–c (combined/reordered).

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