Proverbs 8:13-23

13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am intelligence; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees;
16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.
17 I love those that love me; and they that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; durable wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold, yea, than pure gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth was.

Proverbs 8:13-23 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.

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. Or 'mouth of deceits:' see ch. 2.12,14.
  • [b]. Or 'ministers [of state],' as Judg. 5.3; Ps. 2.2.
  • [c]. Or 'earnestly.'
  • [d]. Or 'resplendent.'
  • [e]. See Ps. 46.8.
  • [f]. Lit. 'anointed:' as Ps. 2.6.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.