Proverbs 8:17-27

17 "I 1love those who love me; And 2those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 "3Riches and honor are with me, Enduring 4wealth and righteousness.
19 "My fruit is 5better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than 6choicest silver.
20 "I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may 7fill their treasuries.
22 "The LORD possessed me 8at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
23 "From everlasting I was 9established, From the beginning, 10from the earliest times of the earth.
24 "When there were no 11depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.
25 "12Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth;
26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.
27 "When He 13established the heavens, I was there, When 14He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

Proverbs 8:17-27 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 14

  • 1. 1 Samuel 2:30; Proverbs 4:6; John 14:21
  • 2. Proverbs 2:4, 5; John 7:37; James 1:5
  • 3. Proverbs 3:16
  • 4. Psalms 112:3; Matthew 6:33
  • 5. Job 28:15; Proverbs 3:14
  • 6. Proverbs 10:20
  • 7. Proverbs 24:4
  • 8. Job 28:26-28; Psalms 104:24; Proverbs 3:19
  • 9. John 1:1-3
  • 10. John 17:5
  • 11. Genesis 1:2; Exodus 15:5; Job 38:16; Proverbs 3:20
  • 12. Job 15:7; Psalms 90:2
  • 13. Proverbs 3:19
  • 14. Job 26:10

Footnotes 5

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