Proverbs 8:27-36

27 "When He 1established the heavens, I was there, When 2He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He made firm the skies above *, When the springs of the deep became fixed,
29 When 3He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out 4the foundations of the earth;
30 Then 5I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always * before Him,
31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having 6my delight in the sons of men.
32 "Now therefore, O sons, 7listen to me, For 8blessed are they who keep my ways.
33 "9Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it.
34 "10Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.
35 "For 11he who finds me finds life And 12obtains favor from the LORD.
36 "But he who sins against me 13injures himself; All those who 14hate me 15love death."

Proverbs 8:27-36 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 15

  • 1. Proverbs 3:19
  • 2. Job 26:10
  • 3. Job 38:10; Psalms 104:9
  • 4. Job 38:6; Psalms 104:5
  • 5. John 1:2, 3
  • 6. Psalms 16:3; John 13:1
  • 7. Proverbs 5:7; Proverbs 7:24
  • 8. Psalms 119:1, 2; Psalms 128:1; Proverbs 29:18; Luke 11:28
  • 9. Proverbs 4:1
  • 10. Proverbs 3:13, 18
  • 11. Proverbs 4:22; John 17:3
  • 12. Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 12:2
  • 13. Proverbs 1:31, 32; Proverbs 15:32
  • 14. Proverbs 5:12; Proverbs 12:1
  • 15. Proverbs 21:6

Footnotes 5

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