Proverbs 8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:16

Princes ; here sarim, "leaders." All the judges of the earth. These words stand without a conjunction, in apposition to what has preceded, by what is called asyndeton summativum ( Proverbs 1:21 ), and gather in one view kings, princes, and leaders. Thus the Book of Wisdom, which speaks of the duties of rulers, commences by addressing of κρίνοντες τὴν γῆν , "ye that are judges of the earth." In the East judgment of causes was an integral part of a monarch's duties. The reading of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:17

I love them that love me. So Christ says ( John 14:21 ), "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him" Love attracts love. "Magues amoris est amor." They who love virtue and wisdom are regarded with favour by God. whoso inspiration they have obeyed, obtaining grace for grace. So Ben Sira says, "Them that love her the Lord doth love "(Ecclesiasticus 4:14); so Wis. 7:28, "God loveth none but him that dwelleth with Wisdom." The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:17

The blessedness of loving and seeking Christ Wisdom is here personified. This is only the beginning of a process that is to grow through subsequent ages, manifesting itself in the Books of Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus, and finally developing into the doctrine of the "Logos" and the great revelation of Christ as the incarnate Word of God. We must not pretend to see the perfected thought in its earliest germ. The first personification of wisdom is little more than a figure of speech, an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:17

The responsiveness of Christ Adapting these words to him who became, and forever will be, the Wisdom of God, they may speak to us of— I. CHRIST 'S INITIATIVE LOVE . It is quite true that "we love him because he first loved us." We should first consider "the great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins" ( Ephesians 2:4 , Ephesians 2:5 ). All our love to Christ springs from, has its source in, his spontaneous love toward us, unexcited by our affection,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:18

Riches and honour are with me (see Proverbs 3:16 ). Wisdom has these things in her possession to bestow on whom she will, as God gave them to Solomon in reward of his petition for wisdom ( 1 Kings 3:13 ). Durable riches and righteousness. Things often regarded as incompatible. Durable, עָתֵק ( athek ) , occurs only here (but see Isaiah 23:18 ), and means "old," "venerable," "long accumulated;" hence firm and lasting. Righteousness is the last reward that Wisdom bestows,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:19

My fruit is better than gold. We have had Wisdom called "a tree of life" ( Proverbs 3:18 ), and the gain from possessing her compared to gold and silver ( Proverbs 3:14 ). Fine gold ( paz ); Septuagint and Vulgate, "precious stone." The word signifies "purified gold"—gold from which all mixture or alloy has been separated. My revenue; Vulgate, genimina mea ; Septuagint, γεννήματα ; Hebrew, tebuah, "produce," "profits." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:20

I lead in the way (better, I walk in the way ) of righteousness . I act always according to the rules of justice. In the midst of the paths of judgment. I swerve not to one side or the other ( Proverbs 4:27 ). So the psalmist prays, "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end;" "Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk" ( Psalms 119:33 ; Psalms 143:8 ). And the promise is given to the faithful in Isaiah 30:21 , "Thine ears shall hear a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:21

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; יֵשׁ ( yesh ) , ὕπαρξις , "real, valuable possessions." Those who love Wisdom will walk in her path, follow her leading, and therefore, doing God's will, will be blessed with success. Such will lay up treasure in heaven, will provide bags which wax not old, will be preparing for "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away" ( Matthew 6:20 ; Luke 12:33 ; 1 Peter 1:4 ). The LXX . here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:22

The Lord possessed me. Great controversy has arisen about the word rendered "possessed." The verb used is קָנָה ( kanah ) , which means properly "to erect, set upright," also "to found, form" ( Genesis 14:19 , Genesis 14:22 ), then "to acquire" ( Proverbs 1:5 ; Proverbs 4:5 , Proverbs 4:7 , etc.) or "to possess" ( Proverbs 15:32 ; Proverbs 19:8 ). The Vulgate, Aquila, Theodotion, Symmachus, Venetian, give "possessed;" Septuagint, ἔκτισε , "made," and so Syriac. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:22-31

Wisdom speaks of her origin, her active operations, the part which she bore in the creation of the universe, her relation to God (see on Proverbs 1:20 and Proverbs 3:19 , and Introduction). It is impossible to decide what was the exact view of the writer with regard to the wisdom of which he speaks so eloquently; but there can be no doubt that he was guided in his diction so as to give expression to the idea of him whom St. John calls the Word of God. The language used is not applicable to... read more

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