A companion picture to that in Proverbs 7, and serving in some measure to generalize and idealize it. Wisdom also calls Proverbs 8:5 to the “simple” and the “fools,” and they have to choose between her voice and that of the temptress.... [ Continue Reading ]
The full enumeration of localities points to the publicity and openness of Wisdom’s teaching (see Proverbs 1:20 note), as contrasted with the stealth and secrecy and darkness which shroud the harlot’s enticements Proverbs 7:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN ... SONS OF MAN - The two words are used, which, like _viri_ and _homines_, describe the higher and the lower, the stronger and the weaker. Compare the Psalms 49:2 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCELLENT - literally, “princely things.” The word is not the same as in marginal reference, and is elsewhere always used of persons (compare “captain” in 1 Samuel 9:16; 2 Samuel 5:2). The poetic style of this part of the book applies it here to the things taught, or to the character of the teaching... [ Continue Reading ]
Words of the ideal Wisdom, which find their highest fulfillment in that of the Incarnate Word. Compare Luke 4:22; Matthew 11:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom first speaks warnings (Proverbs 1:24 note), next promises (Proverbs 2:1 note); but here she neither promises nor threatens, but speaks of her own excellence. “Prudence” is the “subtilty” (see the margin), the wiliness of the serpent Genesis 3:1, in itself neutral, but capable of being turned... [ Continue Reading ]
Not only the common life of common men, but the exercise of the highest sovereignty, must have this Wisdom as its ground. Compare with this passage Proverbs 8:15 the teaching of 1 Kings 3:5. The word rendered “princes” Proverbs 8:15 is different from that in Proverbs 8:16; the first might, perhaps,... [ Continue Reading ]
DURABLE RICHES - i. e., Treasure piled up for many years; ancient wealth.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOLD - The “choice, fine gold” of margin reference. The “fine gold” in the second clause is a different word, and perhaps represents gold extracted from the ore.... [ Continue Reading ]
A verse which has played an important part in the history of Christian dogma. Wisdom reveals herself as preceding all creation, stamped upon it all, one with God, yet in some way distinguishable from Him as the object of His love Proverbs 8:30. John declares that all which Wisdom here speaks of hers... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS SET UP - Rather, “I was anointed” (compare Psalms 2:6 margin: 2 Chronicles 28:15). The image is that of Wisdom anointed, as at her birth, with “the oil of gladness.” OR EVER THE EARTH WAS - literally, “from the times before the earth.”... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare Genesis 1; Job 22; Job 26:1; Job 38: A world of waters, “great deeps” lying in darkness, this was the picture of the remotest time of which man could form any conception, and yet the co-existence of the uncreated Wisdom with the eternal Yahweh was before that.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare Psalms 90:2. What the Psalmist said of Yahweh, the teacher here asserts of Wisdom; she was before the everlasting hills.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HIGHEST PART OF THE DUST OF THE WORLD - literally, “the head of the dusts of the world;” an image of either: (1) the dry land, habitable, fit for cultivation, as contrasted with the waters of the chaotic deep; or (2) man himself. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
A COMPASS - Better as in the margin and Job 22:14 (see the note), i. e., the great vault of heaven stretched over the deep seas.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ONE BROUGHT UP WITH HIM - i. e., As his foster child. Others take the word in the original in another sense, “I was as his artificer,” a rendering which falls in best with the special point of the whole passage, the creative energy of Wisdom. Compare Wisdom Proverbs 7:21, Proverbs 7:22. DAILY -... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom rejoices yet more in the world as inhabited by God’s rational creatures. (compare Isaiah 45:18). Giving joy and delight to God, she finds her delight among the sons of men. These words, like the rest, are as an unconscious prophecy fulfilled in the Divine Word, in whom were “hid all the treas... [ Continue Reading ]
The old exhortation with a new force. The counsels are no longer those of prudence and human experience, but of a Wisdom eternal as Yahweh, ordering all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
The image is suggested probably by the Levites who guarded the doors of the sanctuary Psalms 134:1; Psalms 135:2. Not less blessed than theirs is the lot of those who wait upon Wisdom in the temple not made with hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom then is the only true life. The Word, the Light, is also the Life of man John 1:4. The eternal life is to know God and Christ John 17:3.... [ Continue Reading ]