Proverbs 8:23

23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

Proverbs 8:23 in Other Translations

KJV
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
ESV
23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
NLT
23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.
MSG
23 I was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start.
CSB
23 I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began.

Proverbs 8:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 8:23

I was set up from everlasting
I, a person, and not a quality; a person, and not a nature; the person of Christ as the Son of God, and not the human nature of Christ, which then did not exist; this phrase designs the ordination and constitution of Christ in his office as Mediator. So the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "I was ordained"; Christ was foreordained to be the Redeemer and Saviour of men, to be the propitiation for their sins, to be the head of the church, and the Judge of the world. It intends likewise his inauguration into his office, and his investiture with it; and because anointing with oil was used in installing persons into the offices of prophet, priest, and king; hence Christ's instalment into his office as Mediator is here expressed by an anointing; for the words may be rendered, "I was anointed" F9; it takes in all that goes to his constitution as Mediator, his call, appointment, and investiture; and the whole of his office, every part and branch of it; and chiefly his kingly office, with reference to which the same word is used ( Psalms 2:6 ) ; and so Gersom paraphrases it,

``and there were given to me power, dominion, and greatness;''
all which suppose the eternity of his person; for had he not existed from everlasting, he could not have been set up, and anointed as Mediator, or invested with his office as such; from the beginning, or ever the earth was;
or from the first of the earth, or the original of it; that is, before all time, before the earth or anything was created; this further confirms the eternal existence of Christ's person, the antiquity of his office, the early provision of grace in him as Mediator for his people, and may lead to entertain high and honourable thoughts of him.
FOOTNOTES:

F9 (ytkon) "uncta sum", Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens; "inuncta fui", Gejerus.

Proverbs 8:23 In-Context

21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.