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Proverbs 8:1-12 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Doth not wisdom H2451 cry? H7121 and understanding H8394 put forth H5414 her voice? H6963

2 She standeth H5324 in the top H7218 of high places, H4791 by the way H1870 in the places H1004 of the paths. H5410

3 She crieth H7442 at H3027 the gates, H8179 at the entry H6310 of the city, H7176 at the coming H3996 in at the doors. H6607

4 Unto you, O men, H376 I call; H7121 and my voice H6963 is to the sons H1121 of man. H120

5 O ye simple, H6612 understand H995 wisdom: H6195 and, ye fools, H3684 be ye of an understanding H995 heart. H3820

6 Hear; H8085 for I will speak H1696 of excellent things; H5057 and the opening H4669 of my lips H8193 shall be right things. H4339

7 For my mouth H2441 shall speak H1897 truth; H571 and wickedness H7562 is an abomination H8441 to my lips. H8193

8 All the words H561 of my mouth H6310 are in righteousness; H6664 there is nothing froward H6617 or perverse H6141 in them.

9 They are all plain H5228 to him that understandeth, H995 and right H3477 to them that find H4672 knowledge. H1847

10 Receive H3947 my instruction, H4148 and not silver; H3701 and knowledge H1847 rather than choice H977 gold. H2742

11 For wisdom H2451 is better H2896 than rubies; H6443 and all the things that may be desired H2656 are not to be compared H7737 to it.

12 I wisdom H2451 dwell H7931 with prudence, H6195 and find out H4672 knowledge H1847 of witty inventions. H4209

Commentary on Proverbs 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 8

Pr 8:1-36. Contrasted with sensual allurements are the advantages of divine wisdom, which publicly invites men, offers the best principles of life, and the most valuable benefits resulting from receiving her counsels. Her relation to the divine plans and acts is introduced, as in Pr 3:19, 20, though more fully, to commend her desirableness for men, and the whole is closed by an assurance that those finding her find God's favor, and those neglecting ruin themselves. Many regard the passage as a description of the Son of God by the title, Wisdom, which the older Jews used (and by which He is called in Lu 11:49), as Joh 1:1, &c., describes Him by that of Logos, the Word. But the passage may be taken as a personification of wisdom: for, (1) Though described as with God, wisdom is not asserted to be God. (2) The use of personal attributes is equally consistent with a personification, as with the description of a real person. (3) The personal pronouns used accord with the gender (feminine) of wisdom constantly, and are never changed to that of the person meant, as sometimes occurs in a corresponding use of spirit, which is neuter in Greek, but to which masculine pronouns are often applied (Joh 16:14), when the acts of the Holy Spirit are described. (4) Such a personification is agreeable to the style of this book (compare Pr 1:20; 3:16, 17; 4:8; 6:20-22; 9:1-4), whereas no prophetical or other allusions to the Saviour or the new dispensation are found among the quotations of this book in the New Testament, and unless this be such, none exist. (5) Nothing is lost as to the importance of this passage, which still remains a most ornate and also solemn and impressive teaching of inspiration on the value of wisdom.

1-4. The publicity and universality of the call contrast with the secrecy and intrigues of the wicked (Pr 7:8, &c.).

5. wisdom—literally, "subtilty" in a good sense, or, "prudence."

fools—as Pr 1:22.

6. excellent things—or, "plain," "manifest."

opening … things—upright words.

7. For … truth—literally, "My palate shall meditate," or (as Orientals did) "mutter," my thoughts expressed only to myself are truth.

wickedness—specially falsehood, as opposed to truth.

8. in righteousness—or, "righteous" (Ps 9:8,11:7).

froward—literally, "twisted," or contradictory, that is, to truth.

9. plain … understandeth—easily seen by those who apply their minds.

that find—implying search.

10. not silver—preferable to it, so last clause implies comparison.

11. (Compare Pr 3:14, 15).

12. prudence—as in Pr 8:5. The connection of "wisdom" and "prudence" is that of the dictates of sound wisdom and its application.

find … inventions—or, "devices," "discreet ways" (Pr 1:4).

13. For such is the effect of the fear of God, by which hatred to evil preserves from it.

froward mouth—or, "speech" (Pr 2:12; 6:14).

14. It also gives the elements of good character in counsel.

sound wisdom—(Pr 2:7).

I … strength—or, "As for me, understanding is strength to me," the source of power (Ec 9:16); good judgment gives more efficiency to actions;

15, 16. of which a wisely conducted government is an example.

17. early—or, "diligently," which may include the usual sense of early in life.

18. durable riches … righteousness—Such are the "riches," enduring sources of happiness in moral possessions (compare Pr 3:16).

19. (Compare Pr 8:11; 3:16).

20, 21. The courses in which wisdom leads conduct to a true present prosperity (Pr 23:5).

22-31. Strictly, God's attributes are part of Himself. Yet, to the poetical structure of the whole passage, this commendation of wisdom is entirely consonant. In order of time all His attributes are coincident and eternal as Himself. But to set forth the importance of wisdom as devising the products of benevolence and power, it is here assigned a precedence. As it has such in divine, so should it be desired in human, affairs (compare Pr 3:19).

possessed—or, "created"; in either sense, the idea of precedence.

in the beginning—or simply, "beginning," in apposition with "me."

before … of old—preceding the most ancient deeds.

23. I was set up—ordained, or inaugurated (Ps 2:6). The other terms carry out the idea of the earliest antiquity, and illustrate it by the details of creation [Pr 8:24-29].

24. brought forth—(Compare Ps 90:2).

abounding—or, "laden with water."

25. settled—that is, sunk in foundations.

26. fields—or, "out places," "deserts," as opposite to (habitable) "world."

highest part—or, "sum," all particles together,

27. when he set … depth—marked out the circle, according to the popular idea of the earth, as circular, surrounded by depths on which the visible concave heavens rested.

28. established … deep—that is, so as to sustain the waters above and repress those below the firmament (Ge 1:7-11; Job 26:8).

29. commandment—better, the shore, that is, of the sea.

foundations—figuratively denotes the solid structure (Job 38:4; Ps 24:2).

30, 31. one brought up—an object of special and pleasing regard. The bestowal of wisdom on men is represented by its finding a delightful residence and pleasing God.

32-36. Such an attribute men are urged to seek.

34. watching … waiting—literally, "so as to watch"; wait, denoting a most sedulous attention.

35. (Compare Lu 13:23, 24).

36. sinneth … me—or better, "missing me," as opposed to "finding" [Pr 8:35].

love death—act as if they did (compare Pr 17:9).