CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 8:31 I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/20_Pro_08_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 8:31 - The Excellence of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/8-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/8-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm" title="Proverbs 8:30">◄</a> Proverbs 8:31 <a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm" title="Proverbs 8:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights <i>were</i> with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight <i>was</i> with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And <i>having</i> my delight in the sons of mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And <i>having</i> my delight in the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Rejoicing in the world, His earth, My delight <i>is</i> in the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was rejoicing in His inhabited world, delighting in the human race.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I was pleased with his world and pleased with its people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Rejoicing in his habitable earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />found joy in his inhabited world, and delighted in the human race.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />happy with the world and pleased with the human race. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and delighting in its people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, "" And my delights [are] with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, And my delights are with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Smiling in the habitable globe of his earth; and my delight with the sons of man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />playing in globe of the earth. And my delight was to be with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Playing over the whole of his earth, having my delight with human beings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Rejoicing in his habitable earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I have been rejoicing in the world of his Earth and I have been glorying in the sons of man.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Playing in His habitable earth, And my delights are with the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For he rejoiced when he had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/8-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1496" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">The Excellence of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7832.htm" title="7832: mə·śa·ḥe·qeṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-fs) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh; by implication, to play.">I was rejoicing</a> <a href="/hebrew/8398.htm" title="8398: bə·ṯê·ḇêl (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- From yabal; the earth; by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a partic. Land, as Babylonia, Palestine.">in His whole world,</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’ar·ṣōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8191.htm" title="8191: wə·ša·‘ă·šu·‘ay (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A delight. From sha'a'; enjoyment.">delighting</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">together</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">in the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of men.</a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">John 1:1-3</a></span><br />In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a></span><br />For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-26.htm">Genesis 1:26-28</a></span><br />Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. / God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-24.htm">Psalm 104:24-26</a></span><br />How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. / Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small. / There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-4.htm">Job 38:4-7</a></span><br />Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? / On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-2.htm">Hebrews 1:2-3</a></span><br />But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-36.htm">Romans 11:36</a></span><br />For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-9.htm">Ephesians 3:9</a></span><br />and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">Psalm 33:6-9</a></span><br />By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. / He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses. / Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-18.htm">Isaiah 45:18</a></span><br />For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens—He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Revelation 4:11</a></span><br />“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Nehemiah 9:6</a></span><br />You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-6.htm">1 Corinthians 8:6</a></span><br />yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/136-5.htm">Psalm 136:5-9</a></span><br />By His insight He made the heavens. His loving devotion endures forever. / He spread out the earth upon the waters. His loving devotion endures forever. / He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-12.htm">Isaiah 40:12-14</a></span><br />Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance? / Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.</p><p class="hdg">and my</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/16-3.htm">Psalm 16:3</a></b></br> <i>But</i> to the saints that <i>are</i> in the earth, and <i>to</i> the excellent, in whom <i>is</i> all my delight.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6-8</a></b></br> Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34</a></b></br> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/psalms/62-4.htm">Delighting</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-11.htm">Delights</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/psalms/89-11.htm">Habitable</a> <a href="/psalms/120-5.htm">Inhabited</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-4.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">Part</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Rejoicing</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/10-23.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/songs/2-16.htm">Delighting</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-23.htm">Delights</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-30.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-13.htm">Habitable</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Inhabited</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-29.htm">Mankind</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-10.htm">Part</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-19.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Rejoicing</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-33.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">the fame</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">and evidence of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">The excellence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-12.htm">the nature</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-15.htm">the power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">the riches</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">and the eternity of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm">Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/8.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>I was rejoicing</b><br />The Hebrew root for "rejoicing" is שָׂחַק (sachaq), which conveys a sense of joy, laughter, and playfulness. This word suggests an exuberant, overflowing joy that is not just a passive feeling but an active expression. In the context of <a href="/proverbs/8.htm">Proverbs 8</a>, Wisdom is personified and is expressing a deep, intrinsic joy in the creation of the world. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a fundamental aspect of Wisdom's nature, reflecting the delight God takes in His creation. It serves as a reminder that joy is a divine attribute and that believers are called to find joy in God's works.<p><b>in His whole world</b><br />The phrase "His whole world" emphasizes the entirety of creation. The Hebrew word for "world" here is תֵּבֵל (tebel), which refers to the inhabited world or the earth in its fullness. This highlights the comprehensive scope of God's creation, from the vastness of the cosmos to the intricacies of life on earth. The use of "His" underscores God's sovereignty and ownership over all creation. It is a call to recognize the divine order and purpose imbued in every aspect of the world, encouraging believers to see the world as a reflection of God's wisdom and glory.<p><b>delighting together</b><br />The Hebrew root for "delighting" is שָׁעַשׁ (sha'ashu'a), which implies a deep, abiding pleasure and enjoyment. This word suggests a communal aspect of joy, as Wisdom delights "together" with God in creation. It indicates a harmonious relationship and shared joy between the Creator and His creation. This communal delight is a model for human relationships, encouraging believers to find joy in fellowship with God and with one another. It also reflects the relational nature of God, who invites humanity to participate in His joy.<p><b>in the sons of men</b><br />The phrase "sons of men" refers to humanity. The Hebrew term בְּנֵי אָדָם (bene adam) literally means "children of Adam," emphasizing the shared lineage and inherent dignity of all people. This phrase highlights God's special interest and delight in humanity, the pinnacle of His creation. It underscores the value and worth of every individual, created in the image of God. In the context of <a href="/proverbs/8.htm">Proverbs 8</a>, it serves as a reminder of the intimate relationship God desires with humanity and the joy He finds in human beings. This is an invitation for believers to recognize their unique place in creation and to live in a way that reflects God's wisdom and delight.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">the fertile part. </span>(Comp. <a href="/genesis/1-31.htm" title="And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.">Genesis 1:31</a>, where the satisfaction of God with His creation is described; and <a href="/psalms/104-31.htm" title="The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.">Psalm 104:31</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">My delights were with the sons of men.--</span>Or rather, <span class= "ital">in them. </span>(Comp. <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm" title="And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.">Genesis 3:8</a>, where it would seem that the "Lord God" had been in the habit of assuming human form, and admitting man to His presence.) Such appearances as this, and that to Abraham in Genesis 18, and to Joshua in Joshua 5, were supposed by the Fathers to have been anticipations of the Incarnation of God the Son, who is here described under the name of Wisdom.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth.</span> Wisdom declares wherein she chiefly delighted, viz. in the world as the habitation of rational creatures. "And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good" (<a href="/genesis/1-31.htm">Genesis 1:31</a>); comp. <a href="/psalms/104-31.htm">Psalm 104:31</a>, and see the eloquent account of Wisdom in the book so named (7:22-8:1). <span class="cmt_word">My delights were with the sons of men.</span> Man, made in the image of God. is the principal object of creative Wisdom's pleasure; and her joy is fulfilled only in the Incarnation. When the Word became flesh, then was the end and design of creation exhibited, and the infinite love of God towards man made, as it were, visible and palpable. Septuagint, "Because he rejoiced when he completed the world (<span class="greek">τὴν οἰκουμένην</span>), and rejoiced in the children of men." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/8-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I was rejoicing</span><br /><span class="heb">מְ֭שַׂחֶקֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mə·śa·ḥe·qeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7832.htm">Strong's 7832: </a> </span><span class="str2">To laugh, to play</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in His whole world,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתֵבֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯê·ḇêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8398.htm">Strong's 8398: </a> </span><span class="str2">The earth, the globe, its inhabitants, a particular land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">delighting</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝שַׁעֲשֻׁעַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ša·‘ă·šu·‘ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8191.htm">Strong's 8191: </a> </span><span class="str2">Enjoyment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">together</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:31 Rejoicing in his whole world (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 8:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 8:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 8:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 8:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>