1.
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah = wisdom personified. Compare Proverbs 8:12 .
2.
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
high places = places of vantage.
in the places of the paths = in the places where the paths meet.
3.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
doors = entrances.
4.
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
men. Hebrew. 'ishim. App-14 .
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
5.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
simple. See note on Proverbs 1:4 .
wisdom. Hebrew. 'armah. Not the same word as in Proverbs 8:1 = shrewdness. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
fools. Hebrew. k sil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
6.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
excellent. Hebrew. nagid = a prince, or representative.
things. Hebrew. dabar = words (see App-73 .) Hence = representative truths.
7.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
8.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
words = sayings. Hebrew. imrah.
froward = twisted, or crafty.
9.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
better. Note the seventeen occurrences of this rendering of Hebrew. tob in Proverbs: Proverbs 3:14 ; Proverbs 8:11 , Proverbs 8:19 ; Proverbs 12:9 ; Proverbs 15:16 , Proverbs 15:17 ; Proverbs 16:32 ; Proverbs 17:1 ; Proverbs 19:1 , Proverbs 19:22 ; Proverbs 21:9 , Proverbs 21:19 ; Proverbs 25:7 , Proverbs 25:24 ; Proverbs 27:5 , Proverbs 27:10 ; Proverbs 28:6 .
12.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
I wisdom dwell. Wisdom personified. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .
witty = sagacious. Anglo-Saxon witan, to know; like Greek. oida = to know intuitively: not by effort, which is ginosko = to get to know.
13.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
The fear, &c. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
hate. This is far beyond Zophar's mistaken definition of it in Job 28:28 . A man may "depart" from evil from policy, while he loves it in his heart. But to "hate" it comes only from Divine wisdom. By nature men love evil (Jeremiah 17:9 . Matthew 7:17 ; Matthew 15:19 . John 3:19 . Romans 3:10-18 ; Romans 8:7 , Romans 8:8 . 1 Corinthians 2:14 .Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:17 . Ephesians 2:2 , Ephesians 2:3 , Ephesians 2:12 ; Ephesians 4:17-22 . 1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:3 . 1 John 5:19 ).
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
froward = perverse.
mouth. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for the whole man.
14.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
sound wisdom. See note on Proverbs 2:7 .
understandings = discernment. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
15.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
By me kings reign. See Psalms 75:6 , Psalms 75:7 . Daniel 2:21 , Daniel 2:47 . Romans 13:1-7 .
16.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
judges of the earth. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, read "righteous judges"; reading zedek, "righteousness", instead of 'erez, "earth". Revised Version follows this.
17.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
that love me. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 37:2 :; Genesis 37:13 ; Genesis 37:16-17 ; Pro 39:3 , Pro 39:9 ; Pro 41:38 ); Samuel (1 Samuel 2:26 ; 1 Samuel 7:3-17 ; compare Jeremiah 15:1 ); David (1 Samuel 17:37 , 1 Samuel 17:45 , 1 Samuel 17:46 ); Abijah (1 Kings 14:13 ); Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4 ; compare verses: Proverbs 8:3 , Proverbs 8:12 ); Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1-3 , 2 Chronicles 34:27 , 2 Chronicles 34:28 ); Daniel (Proverbs 1:6 , Proverbs 1:8 ; Compare Pro 9:23 ; Proverbs 10:11-19 ).
18.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20.
I lead in the way 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 treasures.
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".
22.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
set up = founded. Hebrew. nasak, as in Psalms 2:6 , "set".
from everlastings = from the outset of the ages. Compare Hebrews 11:3 .
24.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
brought forth. Same root as Job 15:7 ; Job 39:1 .Psalms 29:9 ; Psalms 51:5 .Isaiah 45:10 ; Isaiah 51:2 ; Isaiah 66:8 . Hebrew. hul. Not the same word as in Proverbs 8:30 .
25.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
settled. Compare Psalms 104:8 .
26.
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
earth. Hebrew ' eretz .
the highest part: or, the first atoms or particles.
world = the habitable world. Hebrew. tebel (not 'eretz dearth). The Talmud ( Taanith vol. 10A) distinguishes 'eretz as meaning the land of Israel, from the world as meaning the outside lands. Compare Matthew 2:20 .
27.
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
compass = a circle, or vault.
28.
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
clouds = skies, or finer clouds.
deep = abyss.
29.
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
appointed = fixed by statute, or marked out.
30.
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
I was by = I became beside Him. John 1:1 . See note on "was", Genesis 1:2 .
by = close by.
as one brought up with Him = as one constantly with Him, or under His constant care. Hebrew. 'amon, from root 'aman = to be constant or steady, and denoting: (1) The making constant or steady (Exodus 17:12 ). (2) The being constant, as a river (Isaiah 33:16 . Jeremiah 15:18 ); as a house (2 Samuel 7:16 . Isaiah 7:9 ); of words (Genesis 42:20 ); of a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20 ); an allowance (Nehemiah 11:23 ). (3) The stability or faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:20 . Isaiah 65:16 . Jeremiah 51:15 ); hence "Amen", affirming and confirming assent. (4) Of the constant and steady care of a nurse, &c. (Esther 2:7 , Esther 2:20 ; 2 Kings 10:1 , 2 Kings 10:5 .Isaiah 60:4 ; Isaiah 66:12 .Lamentations 4:5; Lamentations 4:5 ). (5) Of the constant and steady resting of the mind as trusting, relying, or depending upon (Genesis 15:6 ; Genesis 45:26 . Exodus 4:5 .Deuteronomy 28:66 . Judges 11:20 ). (6) Of the constant, steady hand required in a cunning workman (Song of Solomon 7:1 = hands of steadiness, meaning work not hastily done. The Revised Version rendering of Proverbs 8:30 , "a master workman", is made on insufficient ground).
Rejoicing . Compare Proverbs 8:31 .
31.
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
the habitable part of His earth. Hebrew. tebel 'arez. See note on "world", Proverbs 8:26 . men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . Compare Genesis 2:19 ; Genesis 3:8 , Genesis 3:21 . Made in
His image. Genesis 1:26 , Genesis 1:27 .
32.
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
children = sons.
blessed = happy. See note on Proverbs 3:13 .
33.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
fin deth life: i.e. resurrection life, and life eternal. Compare John 3:36 . 1 John 5:12 . See note on Leviticus 18:5 .
favour = as shown in Romans 6:23 .
36.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
sinneth. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
love death = live and act so as to lose life. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause).