Proverbs 8:21

treasures = treasuries. and Syriac render it "created" ( ektise) . Compare the use of the verb in this book (Proverbs 1:5 ; Proverbs 4:5 , Proverbs 4:7 ; Proverbs 16:16 ; Proverbs 17:16 ; Proverbs 18:15 ; Proverbs 19:8 ; Proverbs 20:14 ; Proverbs 22:23 ). Hebrew. kanah. Occurs eighty-six times in O.T.; rendered "possess" only four times. Compare "wisdom" (Luke 11:49 ).

beginning . . . Before. See Co Proverbs 1:1 , Proverbs 1:15-17 ; Proverbs 2:9 . Revelation 3:14 .John 1:1 ; John 17:5 , "begotten before the world . . . born in the world". Elohim taking creature form in order to create; as He, later, took human form (flesh) to redeem. Hence "creation" and "redemption" combined in Christ (Revelation 4:11 ; Revelation 5:9 ). Man created in His likeness: that in which He appeared to the patriarchs and to Joshua (Proverbs 5:13 ) was not temporary, or assumed for the moment, but was permanent.

His way. As distinct from His "works" (Psalms 103:7 ).

Before. To this must be referred Ephesians 1:4 , and Co Proverbs 1:1 , Proverbs 1:17 . Three times we have " before the foundation (or disruption, . Genesis 1:2 . See note on Matthew 13:35 ) of the world" (John 17:24 .Ephesians 1:4 , and 1 Peter 1:20 ). Compare the expression " from (or, since) the foundation of the world", seven times (Matthew 13:35 ; Matthew 25:34 .Luke 11:50 . Hebrews 4:3 ; Hebrews 9:26 . Revelation 13:8 ; Revelation 17:8 ). See note on Matthew 13:35 . The former has to do with the "Church", the latter with the "Kingdom"; the former with God's "purpose", the latter with His "counsels".