Proverbs 8:3-13

3 Beside the 1gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4 "To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 "O 2naive ones, understand prudence; And, O 3fools, understand wisdom.
6 "Listen, for I will speak 4noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal 5right things.
7 "For my 6mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 "All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing 7crooked or perverted in them.
9 "They are all 8straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who 9find knowledge.
10 "Take my 10instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
11 "For wisdom is 11better than jewels; And 12all desirable things cannot compare with her.
12 "I, wisdom, 13dwell with prudence, And I find 14knowledge and discretion.
13 "The 15fear of the LORD is to hate evil; 16Pride and arrogance and 17the evil way And the 18perverted mouth, I hate.

Proverbs 8:3-13 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 18

  • 1. Job 29:7
  • 2. Proverbs 1:4
  • 3. Proverbs 1:22, 32; Proverbs 3:35
  • 4. Proverbs 22:20
  • 5. Proverbs 23:16
  • 6. Psalms 37:30; John 8:14; Romans 15:8
  • 7. Deuteronomy 32:5; Proverbs 2:15; Philippians 2:15
  • 8. Proverbs 14:6
  • 9. Proverbs 3:13
  • 10. Proverbs 3:14, 15; Proverbs 8:19
  • 11. Job 28:15, 18; Psalms 19:10
  • 12. Proverbs 3:15
  • 13. Proverbs 8:5
  • 14. Proverbs 1:4
  • 15. Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 16:6
  • 16. 1 Samuel 2:3; Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 13:11
  • 17. Proverbs 15:9
  • 18. Proverbs 6:12

Footnotes 3

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