Wisdom as guide 8:1-5By personifying wisdom Solomon was able to illustrate two things about it in these verses, both of which concern the guidance that is available in wisdom (understanding, insight). Wisdom is available everywhere (Proverbs 8:2-3) and to anyone (Proverbs 8:5). It does not take a superior intellect to be wise in the biblical sense. read more
13. The function of wisdom ch. 8Chapter 8 is an apology (defense) of wisdom. The argument of this section develops as follows. Wisdom would be every person’s guide (Proverbs 8:1-5; cf. Galatians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23). She is morality’s partner (Proverbs 8:6-13), the key to success (Proverbs 8:14-21), the principle of creation (Proverbs 8:22-31), and the one essential necessity of life (Proverbs 8:32-36). Chapter 8 contains the longest sustained personification in the Bible. [Note: Merrill,... read more
Wisdom and morality 8:6-13Wisdom and godliness are practically synonymous (cf. Proverbs 1:7). Proverbs 8:9 means that the person who already has walked down wisdom’s path for a distance can appreciate the moral rightness of wisdom better than someone who has not."What the verse says is not that Wisdom’s words are clear, intelligible, simple to the instructed, but that they commend themselves as true . . ." [Note: Toy, p. 163.] "The simplicity of integrity is the profundity of wisdom. . . .... read more
B. Instruction for Young People 1:8-8:36The two ways (paths, worldviews) introduced in Proverbs 1:7 stretch out before the reader (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). In this section Solomon spoke to his son, guiding him into God’s way. "My son" was and is a customary way of addressing a disciple."It derives from the idea that parents are primarily responsible for moral instruction (Proverbs 4:3-4; Deuteronomy 6:7)." [Note: Ross, p. 907.] The frequent recurrence of the phrase "my son" in this part of... read more
Wisdom’s CryWisdom now reappears as a preacher, holding forth in all the places where men most do congregate. After expounding in varied ways the excellence of the gifts which she can bestow, she asserts that she was the first of all God’s creatures, who stood at His side when He formed our world, and took part in His work as a master workman, whose delight has always been in the lives and affairs of men. In Proverbs 8:1-21 we find only the ordinary kind of personification, in which a quality... read more
(5) O ye simple.—See above on Proverbs 1:4 for an explanation of “simple,” as also of “wisdom” (‘ormah) there translated “subtilty.”Ye fools.—(khesîlîm), see above on Proverbs 1:22. read more
(6) The opening of my lips shall be right things.—That is, I will open my mouth to speak them. read more
(8) Froward.—That is, twisted, or crooked. read more
Supreme Acquisitions Proverbs 8:35-36 This striking contrast expresses the twofold universal classification of men those who find and those who miss true wisdom in life. I. Looking first at the darker side of the contrast we see sin revealed as being both a missing of the Divine purpose and also a process of self-destruction. For to miss Christ either by reason of engaging the heart's attention with other things, by the fatal power of careless inattention, or by engrossment in the search after... read more
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Leia no celular
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 8:8
8. in righteousness—or, "righteous" (Psalms 9:8). froward—literally, "twisted," or contradictory, that is, to truth. read more