Wisdom · Chapter 8 of 31

Proverbs 8

Wisdom is personified as a woman crying aloud in the public places, offering truth better than gold to all who will hear. She declares her righteousness, her gift to kings and rulers, and then, most remarkably, her presence with God before creation: brought forth before the mountains, beside him as a master workman, daily his delight while he made the world.

What happens in Proverbs 8

In contrast to the secretive adulteress of chapter 7, Wisdom stands openly in the high places, at the gates and city entries, calling to all people. She commends the truth and righteousness of her words, worth more than silver, rubies, or fine gold. By her, she says, kings reign and princes decree justice; she loves those who love her, and those who seek her early find her. Then the poem soars: the LORD possessed her in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

She was set up from everlasting, brought forth before the depths, the mountains, and the fields. When God prepared the heavens and set the sea its bounds, she was there beside him as one brought up with him, daily his delight, rejoicing before him and delighting in the sons of men. She ends by pleading with all to heed her, for whoever finds her finds life and favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 8 in context

Chapter 8 is the high point of the personified Wisdom in Proverbs 1 through 9. Here Wisdom speaks in the first person, contrasting deliberately with the strange woman: public not hidden, life-giving not deadly. The most debated section, verses 22 through 31, pictures Wisdom present at creation.

In its original setting this is poetry celebrating that God made the world by wisdom, not a bare biography. Yet its language of Wisdom brought forth before all things drew deep Christian reflection.

Main themes of Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8 (KJV)

1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. 12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. 19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. 22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. 32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Verses to carry from Proverbs 8

“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”Proverbs 8:11

“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.”Proverbs 8:22

“Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;”Proverbs 8:30

Reflection

The same Wisdom that ordered the mountains and seas calls to you today, openly and freely. You do not have to be clever to answer; you have to be willing to listen. Where in your life are you working against the grain of how God made things? Seek Wisdom early, and find life.

A prayer from Proverbs 8