Proverbs 8

The eternal, essential wisdom of the Father (the son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ) is here brought in, preaching to all sorts of people openly and plainly, verse 1. Of her doctrine, 6. Excellency, 10. Nature, 12. Soveraign power and dominion, 15. With a relation of the blessedness of those that do embrace her, 17. Also of her eternal Godhead, incomprehensible generation of the Father, and union with him, 22. Of her saving office, and familiar revelation to the children of men, 31. Exhorting to obedience, with a promise of salvation; and dehorting from disobedience, upon pain of everlasting destruction, 32.

1. Doth not wisdom cry? [As if he should say, assuredly she doth. It is a kind of asking, or questioning, which implieth a strong affirmation, or asseveration. See Gen.13.on verse 9.] doth (not) understanding lift up [Hebr. Give. See above chap.1.on verse 20.] her voice?

2. She standeth on the top of the high places. [Hebr. In the head of the high places. Hereby may be understood the places that were on high, or exalted, from whence Teachers might propound and communicate their good doctrine and instruction to the Church and people of God. Compare 2 Chron.24. verse 20. Nehem.chap.8. verse 5. Mat.10.verse 27. Acts 22:3.] at the way [understand the high way, or road, by which much people did pass] in the place where paths are: [Hebr. (in, or, upon) the house of paths, or, ways; that is, in the place of the paths, or ways. Understand the cross ways, where many paths or ways meet together as in a house or place. House for place, see Exodus 25.on verse 27.]

3. She [To wit, wisdom] cryeth [Oth. They cry; to wit, wisdom, and understanding. See therefore above verse 1. The first is better as appeareth by the following sixth verse, where the singular number is used also, see below verse 12.] aloud at the side of the gate, [Hebr. At the hand of the gates. Hand for side, see 2 Sam.chap.18.on verse 4. Oth. At the place of the gates] before the city, [Hebr. At the mouth of the city; that is, at the entry thereof, as the following words declare. So the mouth of the pit, or, well, Gen.29.2. the mouth of the cave, Jos.10.18.] (at) the entry of the doors.

4. unto you; O men, I call, and my voice is to the children of men. [Some conceive, that by men, here must be understood those that are eminent among men for nobility, wealth, and power, and are otherwise called the sons or children of (great) men, and that by the sons, or, children of men, here are meant the common sort of people. See Psalm 49.on verse 3.]

5. Ye simple ones, [See above chap.1.on verse 4.] understand subtility: [see on the same place] and ye fools, [see above chap.1.on verse 22.] understand (with the) heart.

6. Hear; for I will speak of Princely things; [Heb. Of princes: to wit, of the things, but of glorious, excellent, and transcendent things, which become Princes, and great Lords, not onely because they likewise concern them, but also because they ought to be heard and received by them, yea even to be propounded by them. Compare Prov.22.20.] and the opening of my lips [that is, that which I will utter by the opening of my lips] shall be meer equity.

7. For my palace [Or, the roof of my mouth. Understand under one member whereby speech is here said to be heard, all the rest, that likewise help and conduce thereunto, as lips, teeth, tongue, and throat. See Job 33. On verse 2.] shall utter truth discreetly: and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. [Hebr. An abomination of my lips, that is, which my lips do loath and abominate, to wit, to speak it. See above chap.3.on verse 32.]

8. All the sayings of my mouth are in righteousness: (there) is nothing forward or perverse in them. [Comp. Job 5.on verse 13.]

9. They are all right [Or, ready at hand. The Hebrew word signifieth, either that which is right and straight, or that which is ready at hand, present, and obvious to the sight, and very ready, open, plain, and easy to be understood. So 2 Sam.15.3. and 24.26.] for him that is of understanding, and upright to them that find [that is, get, obtain. See Genes.26.12. and the annot.] knowledge.

10. Receive my instruction, and not silver: [That is, more then silver, as the following words of this verse do shew. That which is spoken in general, is oftentimes but in some respect, and by way of comparison to be understood. Compare Isa.43.18. Jer.7.22. and 16.14. Hosea 6:6. Mat.23.3. 1 Cor.1.17.] and knowledge more then choice gold digged out. [see above chap.3.on verse 14. Also below verse 19.]

11. For wisdom is better then rubies; [See Job 28.on verse 18. Compare Job 28:15. Psalms 19:11. Pro.1.14,15. And 16.16.] and whatsoever may be desired, is not to be compared to it. [Heb. All delights, or, desires will not be compared to it. See above chap.3.on verse 15.]

12. I wisdom dwell (with) subtility; [That is, I possess, enjoy, and use subtility, as which onely belongeth to me, and waiteth upon me. Of the word rendered here subtility, see above chap.1.on verse 4.] and find (out) the knowledge of all discretion. [of the word rendered here discretion, see on the same verse.]

13. The fear of the LORD, is to hate evil; [That is, the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning, and the chiefest part of wisdom, above chap.1.7. causeth and moveth a man to hate evil] pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, [see above chap.2.on verse 12.] also the mouth of frowardnesses [see on the same verse] do I hate.

14. Counsel, and essence [Or, durable essence, or, durable wisdom. See above chap.2.on verse 7.] are mine: I am understanding, strength is mine.

15. By me Kings reign, and Princes decree [From this word cometh another, which signifieth Law-givers, or Law-makers, Gen.49.10. Deut.33.21. Judg.5.14.] justice. [that is, good and just laws, according to which subjects ought to be governed.]

16. By me Rulers rule, and Princes, [See Job.12.on verse 21.] all the judges of the earth.

17. I love them that love me, and those that seek me early. [See of the Hebrew word, Job.7.on verse 21. And above chap.7.on verse 15.] stall find me. [see 2 Chron.15.on verse 2.]

18. Riches and honour is with me; [Compare above chap.3.16.] durable wealth, and righteousness.

19. My fruit [See above chap.1.on verse 31.] is better then gold digged out, [see above chap.3.on verse 14.] and then thick gold: [see 1 Kings 10.on verse 18. Oth. Gold of uphaz, who conceive that Paz is here put for uphaz, the name of a place, from whence much precious fine gold cometh, Jer.10.9. to wit, a place in Barbary, (according to the opinion of some) now called Fez] and my revenue, then choice silver.

20. I cause to walk in the way of righteousness: [That is, in the manner and course of life, which men ought to follow, that they may according to the law, perform the duty, which they owe first unto God, and then in the next place unto their neighbour. See above chap.2. on verse 8.] in the midst of the paths of judgement:

21. That I may cause my lovers to inherit that which is durable: [Meaning such wealth or substance, as is such really, and indeed, and bringeth to man the greatest happiness and prosperity, that is, which abideth for ever; not seeming to be such, but being such really, indeed, and in truth] and I will fill their treasures.

22. The LORD [Meaning the everlasting Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is, the first Person of the everlasting Godhead] possessed me [that is, had me in, and with him, being begotten of him in an unconceivable and incomprehensible manner, John 1:15. Heb.1,3,15. (me) to wit, the essential wisdom, the substantial Word of the Father, or the second Person of the Divine Essence, the everlasting, and onely begotten Son and true God: of whom see also above chap.1.20. and here verse 12. John 1:1. Col.1.15.] (in the) beginning of his may, [that is, of his working, as of the Creation, yea also of his eternal counsel, and purpose to create the world, as the following words do shew] before his works, [that is, from all eternity, when as yet there was nothing made] from thence forth. [when there was nothing but God, and nothing but Eternity. Compare Psalms 93:2.]

23. I was anoint [That is, ordained and appointed as a Princess, to create, sustain, and govern the world] from everlasting, from the beginning, [compare John 1:1.] from the antiquities of the earth. [that is, before the earth, ere the earth was created. Compare below verse 25,26.]

24. When as yet (there) were no depths, I was brought forth: [So is the Hebrew word taken, Psalms 51:7. and so in the verse following] when as yet (there) were no fountains, heavy with water: [Hebr. Heavinesses of waters, that is, great plenty or abundance of water: or, burdened with water: that is, full of water, and abounding with water.]

25. Before the mountains were fastened in: [That is, were crushed in, founded, and set forth. The Hebrew word seemeth to imply, that the mountains have their foundation below in the waters] before the hills was brought forth.

26. He [Namely, the Lord, above verse 22.] had not as yet made the earth, [the Hebrew particle ad, or gnad, is elsewhere also taken. See Job 1:18. and the annot. Or, Hebr. Until he had not made the earth: that is, before he had made the earth] nor the fields, [the Hebrew word signifieth the places, that are without the houses and the cities, as streets, and the fields. It’s here taken for the fields, as also Psalms 144:13. Ezek.7.15.] nor the beginning [Hebr. Head, that is, the beginning. So Numb.10.10. Eccl.3.11. Ezek.40.1.] of the dusts of the world. [the meaning is, that the least or smallest dust was not as yet made.]

27. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he drew a circle upon the plain of the depth. [That is, upon the deep waters. Or, drew, ordered, set a circle. This is said, in regard of the fashion of the earth, which was made round by God, so that it compasseth about the deep waters, and is compassed about by them. The meaning is, that God made the earth round as with a pair of compasses. Comp. Job 26:10.]

28. When he fastened the upper clouds above: [To wit, that keeping their place, they might not fall down upon the earth] when he made sure the fountains of the deep. [that is, gave them a sure, and continual course. Comp. Gen.7.11.]

29. When he set the Seather Park, [Hebr. Statute, ordinance, decree; that is, park, or bounds, within which she was to keep her self. See Gen.1.10. Job 38:10,11. Psalms 104:9.] that the waters should not transgress his command: [Hebr. Mouth. See Gen.41.on ver.40.] when be appointed [or, instituted, or, described] the foundations of the earth.

30. Then was I a nurse-child with him, [To wit, as a nurse-child, that is continually with his nurse. So was the eternal Son of God, the substantial wisdom of the Father, from everlasting distinctly with him, as it is written, John 1:1. The word was with God; also chap.17.5. Glorify me with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. But the word may also be taken for him, that of himself feedeth, and nourisheth; the Translation being thus made, and I am nourishing with him; that is, upholding and governing all things, and especially bringing up, and nourishing his Church with his Word and Spirit] and I was daily [Heb. Day, day; that is, daily, always. See Gen.39.on verse 10. And below verse 34.] (his) delights: [hereby is intimated by a figurative kind of speech, the great acceptableness of the Son of God with his Father: see Mat.3.17. John 5:10. and 8.29. Oth. And I a daily delight; to wit, to the creatures, by my general and special blessings, John 5:17.] rejoicing always before his face.

31. Sporting in the world of his earth; [To wit, in that she sheweth her self exceeding wonderful and various in the upholding and governing of all creatures] and my delights are with the children of men. [to wit, in respect of this present life, and the life that is to come.]

32. Now then, (O ye) children, hearken unto me: for blessed are they (that) keep my ways. [That is, the ways which I prescribe unto them. Compare Psalms 119:1,2. And 128.1. Luke 11:28.]

33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and reject (it) not. [Compare above chap.1.25. where the same Hebrew word is used.]

34. Blessed is the man that hearkeneth unto me, watching daily at my gates, observing postes of my doors. [A similitude taken from diligent Students or Scholars, that are always about the schools, or teaching place of their teachers; or from solicitors, that diligently heed and mind the coming forth of the Lawyers and Counsellors; or from the porters and door-keepers of the Temple, that were stedfastly to mind their business, and the work they were about.]

35. For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and draweth [Or, getteth] well-liking from the LORD. [that is, obtaineth favour, and grace with the Lord. See the same phrase below chap.12.2. and 18.12.]

36. But he that sinneth (against) me, offereth violence [Or, wrong, or, oppression] to his (own) soul [Hebr. Is an oppressor, or, wronger, or, abuser of his (own) soul. See the following clause of this verse, also below chap.20.2.] all they that hate me, [they are said to hate God, and his wisdom, that do wittingly, and willingly that which God, and his wisdom, that do wittingly, and willingly that which God, and his wisdom hate. See of such kind of people, Psalms 21:9. and 83.3. Rom.1.30.] love death. [that is, they do that, whereby they bring death and destruction upon themselves. So, to love the curse, Psalm 109.verse 17. To lie in wait for his own blood, above chap.1.18. to despise his (own) soul, below, chap.15.32.]