Proverbs 8:12

I Wisdom dwell with Prudence,.... Here Wisdom begins to speak in her own person, and continues to do so unto the end of the chapter; or Christ describes himself, pencils out and draws his own picture, and a most lovely one it is.

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. I wisdom dwell with prudence - I am most intimately associated with her. Compare the phrase "dwell with," in Isaiah 57:15; 1 Timothy 6:16.

Dwell with prudence; I do not content myself with high speculations, but my inseparable companion is prudence, to govern all my own actions, and to direct the actions of others, by good counsels. This he saith, because some persons have much wit and knowledge, and nothing of discretion. Find out knowledge, i.e. I know them as clearly and certainly as if I had found them out by diligent searching. Or, I find out, is put for I help men to find out, as the Spirit is said to intercede, , when it helpeth us to do so. Of witty inventions; of all ingenious designs and contrivances for the service and glory of God, and for the good of ourselves and others. But why may it not be rendered, of wicked devices, as this very word is translated, 14:17 24:8? For surely this is one great work of prudence, to discover, and so avoid, all evil counsels or devices, and the effects of them. But this I propose with submission, because I have not the concurrence of any interpreter in this exposition.

Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.Ver. 12. I wisdom dwell with prudence.] I draw all into practice, and teach men to prove by their own experience, what "that good, and holy, and acceptable will of God is." Of the most that would be held knowing men, it may well be said, as Cicero says the proverb went of the Athenians, that they used their wisdom as men do artificial teeth, for show only, and that they did scire quae recta sunt, sed facere nolle, know what was right, but had no mind to do accordingly. Socrates said there was no difference between σοφια and σωρροσυνη - wisdom and prudence or moderation, since he that knows good things, to do them, and evil things, to avoid them, is to be held a wise man, and none else. And find out knowledge of witty inventions.] Tending to piety; not those toilsome toys, sophismata, quae nec ignoranti nocent, nec scientem iuvant, that are hard to come by, but of no use or worth, proof or profit. These are but laborious loss of time, as Aristotle hath it; like an olive, or datestone, hard to crack the one, or cleave the other, but nothing, or nothing worth aught, when cracked or cloven, within either. Wisdom finds her scholars somewhat else to do than to be so busily idle. Witty she allows them to be, but not wittily wicked, not wise to do evil, inventors of evil, or idle things. "Walk circumspectly," saith she, "not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, understanding what the will of the Lord is," and putting it in speedy execution. "Keep therefore and do it, for this is your wisdom." This will speak you far more witty than those wits of the world, who "seek out many inventions," but all to no purpose, and "become vain in their imaginations, their foolish heart being darkened." Xenoph., De Dictis et Factis Socrat. Seneca. "Tοτουχρονουπαραναλωμα. - Arist.

(12) Dwell with prudence.—(‘ormah), literally, inhabit it, have settled down and taken up my abode with it, am at home there. Witty inventions.—Literally, well thought out plans (mezimmôth) translated “discretion” (Proverbs 1:4).

Verse 12. I wisdom dwell with prudence] Prudence is defined, wisdom applied to practice; so wherever true wisdom is, it will lead to action, and its activity will be always in reference to the accomplishment of the best ends by the use of the most appropriate means. Hence comes what is here called knowledge of witty inventions, דעת מזמות אמצא daath mezimmoth emtsa, "I have found out knowledge and contrivance." The farther wisdom proceeds in man, the more practical knowledge it gains; and finding out the nature and properties of things, and the general course of providence, it can contrive by new combinations to produce new results.

Proverbs 8:12-21. What she is and gives. 12. dwell with prudence] marg. subtilty. Rather, have made subtilty (marg. prudence) my dwelling, R.V.; κατεσκήνωσαβουλὴν LXX.; habito in consilio, Vulg. Abstract wisdom makes her abode, as it were the spirit in the body, in practical prudence in affairs. So love is said to “abound in knowledge and all discernment.” Philippians 1:9, R.V. knowledge of witty inventions] This, which is retained in R.V. marg., seems preferable, as describing the exercise of wisdom in earthly affairs, to the knowledge and discretion of R.V. text; eruditis intersum cogitationibus, Vulg.

Wisdom first speaks warnings (Proverbs 1:24 note), next promises (Proverbs 2:1 note); but here she neither promises nor threatens, but speaks of her own excellence.

12. I wisdom dwell with prudence — “I inhabit prudence.” — Stuart. “Have made a dwelling of subtlety.” — Miller. The thought is, that of intimate association.