23 I was set up H5258 from everlasting, H5769 from the beginning, H7218 or ever H6924 the earth H776 was.
24 When there were no depths, H8415 I was brought forth; H2342 when there were no fountains H4599 abounding H3513 with water. H4325
25 Before the mountains H2022 were settled, H2883 before H6440 the hills H1389 was I brought forth: H2342
26 While as yet he had not made H6213 the earth, H776 nor the fields, H2351 nor the highest part H7218 of the dust H6083 of the world. H8398
27 When he prepared H3559 the heavens, H8064 I was there: when he set H2710 a compass H2329 upon the face H6440 of the depth: H8415
28 When he established H553 the clouds H7834 above: H4605 when he strengthened H5810 the fountains H5869 of the deep: H8415
29 When he gave H7760 to the sea H3220 his decree, H2706 that the waters H4325 should not pass H5674 his commandment: H6310 when he appointed H2710 the foundations H4144 of the earth: H776
30 Then I was by him, H681 as one brought up H525 with him: and I was daily H3117 H3117 his delight, H8191 rejoicing H7832 always H6256 before H6440 him;
31 Rejoicing H7832 in the habitable part H8398 of his earth; H776 and my delights H8191 were with the sons H1121 of men. H120
32 Now therefore hearken H8085 unto me, O ye children: H1121 for blessed H835 are they that keep H8104 my ways. H1870
33 Hear H8085 instruction, H4148 and be wise, H2449 and refuse H6544 it not.
34 Blessed H835 is the man H120 that heareth H8085 me, watching H8245 daily H3117 H3117 at my gates, H1817 waiting H8104 at the posts H4201 of my doors. H6607
35 For whoso findeth H4672 me findeth H4672 H4672 life, H2416 and shall obtain H6329 favour H7522 of the LORD. H3068
36 But he that sinneth H2398 against me wrongeth H2554 his own soul: H5315 all they that hate H8130 me love H157 death. H4194
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 8
Commentary on Proverbs 8 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 8
The word of God is two-fold, and, in both senses, is wisdom; for a word without wisdom is of little value, and wisdom without a word is of little use. Now,
Pro 8:1-11
The will of God revealed to us for our salvation is here largely represented to us as easy to be known and understood, that none may have an excuse for their ignorance or error, and as worthy to be embraced, that none may have an excuse for their carelessness and unbelief.
Pro 8:12-21
Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centres; it is the soul formed by the word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing.
Pro 8:22-31
That it is an intelligent and divine person that here speaks seems very plain, and that it is not meant of a mere essential property of the divine nature, for Wisdom here has personal properties and actions; and that intelligent divine person can be no other than the Son of God himself, to whom the principal things here spoken of wisdom are attributed in other scriptures, and we must explain scripture by itself. If Solomon himself designed only the praise of wisdom as it is an attribute of God, by which he made the world and governs it, so to recommend to men the study of that wisdom which belongs to them, yet the Spirit of God, who indited what he wrote, carried him, as David often, to such expressions as could agree to no other than the Son of God, and would lead us into the knowledge of great things concerning him. All divine revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, and here we are told who and what he is, as God, designed in the eternal counsels to be the Mediator between God and man. The best exposition of these verses we have in the first four verses of St. John's gospel. In the beginning was the Word, etc. Concerning the Son of God observe here,
Pro 8:32-36
We have here the application of Wisdom's discourse; the design and tendency of it is to bring us all into an entire subjection to the laws of religion, to make us wise and good, not to fill our heads with speculations, or our tongues with disputes, but to rectify what is amiss in our hearts and lives. In order to this, here is,