Proverbs 8:14-31

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

15 By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;

16 by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[a]

17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,^[b][c]before his deeds of old;

23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;

25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

26 before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30 Then I was constantly^[d] at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Proverbs 8:14-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 8

This chapter contains the instructions of Wisdom or Christ; showing the excellency of them, and the author of them, in opposition to the harlot and her allurements, in the preceding chapter. Christ, under the name of Wisdom, is represented as an herald, publishing the Gospel in the ministry of the word, either in person or by his servants, Pr 8:1. The places where this proclamation is made are described, Pr 8:2,3; the persons to whom, Pr 8:4,5. The excellency of the things delivered, being right things; truth, agreeably to the word of God, plain and easy to be understood, and of more worth than gold, silver, and precious stones, Pr 8:6-11. And then Wisdom, or Christ, is commended and recommended by his consummate prudence and knowledge, by his hatred of evil, and by his influence on the political affairs of kings and princes, Pr 8:12-16; and the advantages of those that are early seekers of him are pointed out; their enjoyment of his favour, of his riches, honour and righteousness; and their being led by him in right paths now, and inheriting eternal glory hereafter, Pr 8:17-21. And next follows an account of his existence from eternity as a divine Person, illustrated by a variety of phrases, Pr 8:22-29; and of his being with the Father; of his great affection for him, and complacency in him; and of Christ's wonderful delight and pleasure in the sons of men, Pr 8:30,31. And the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to them to hearken to his instructions; setting forth the happiness of those that wait on him in public ordinances, and find him; and the misery of those that hate and reject him.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 9:4; Proverbs 21:22; Ecclesiastes 7:19
• 2. S Psalms 2:10; Daniel 2:21; Romans 13:1
• 3. S 2 Chronicles 1:10; Proverbs 29:4
• 4. S 1 Samuel 2:30; Psalms 91:14; John 14:21-24
• 5. S 1 Chronicles 16:11; S Proverbs 1:28; Proverbs 3:13-18; Matthew 7:7-11; James 1:5
• 6. S 1 Kings 3:13; Proverbs 3:16
• 7. S Deuteronomy 8:18; Matthew 6:33
• 8. S Job 28:17-19
• 9. S Proverbs 3:13-14; Proverbs 10:20
• 10. S Psalms 5:8
• 11. Proverbs 15:6; Proverbs 24:4
• 12. S Genesis 7:11
• 13. S Job 38:6
• 14. S Job 15:7
• 15. S Psalms 90:2
• 16. S Job 26:7; Proverbs 3:19
• 17. S Job 22:14
• 18. S Job 36:29
• 19. S Genesis 1:7; S Job 9:8; S Job 26:10
• 20. S Genesis 1:9; Job 38:10; S Psalms 16:6
• 21. S Job 38:8; Psalms 104:9
• 22. S 1 Samuel 2:8; S Job 38:5
• 23. Proverbs 3:19-20; Revelation 3:14; John 1:1-3
• 24. S Job 28:25-27; Job 38:4-38; Psalms 16:3; Psalms 104:1-30; Proverbs 30:4; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:15-20

Footnotes

• [a]. Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts "all righteous rulers"
• [b]. Or "way" ; or "dominion"
• [c]. Or "The " Lord"possessed me at the beginning of his work" ; or "The " Lord"brought me forth at the beginning of his work"
• [d]. Or "was the artisan" ; or "was a little child"