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<!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=1.0;"/><title>Proverbs 8 Matthew Poole's Commentary</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/proverbs/81.htm" /><link href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cardo&subset=greek-ext' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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="../cmenus/proverbs/8.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="//biblehu.com/bmcom/proverbs/8-1.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="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="/commentaries/">Commentary</a> > <a href="../">Poole</a> > <a href="../proverbs/">Proverbs</a></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></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../proverbs/7.htm" title="Proverbs 7">◄</a> Proverbs 8 <a href="../proverbs/9.htm" title="Proverbs 9">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Matthew Poole's Commentary</div><div class="chap"> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">Proverbs 8:1</a></div><div class="verse">Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?</div>Wisdom’s fame, call, and exhortation, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/8-1.htm" title="Does not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?...">Proverbs 8:1-9</a></span>. Her excellency, nature, and hatred of evil, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/8-10.htm" title="Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold....">Proverbs 8:10-13</a></span>. Her power, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/8-14.htm" title="Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength....">Proverbs 8:14-16</a></span>; and love to the godly, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm" title="I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.">Proverbs 8:17</a></span>. Her riches, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm" title="Riches and honor are with me; yes, durable riches and righteousness.">Proverbs 8:18</a>,19</span>. Her eternity, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/proverbs/8-20.htm" title="I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment:...">Proverbs 8:20-30</a></span>. Her delight in the children of men, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm" title="Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.">Proverbs 8:31</a></span>. An exhortation to true wisdom, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm" title="Now therefore listen to me, O you children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.">Proverbs 8:32</a>,33</span>; and the blessedness of them that are truly wise, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/8-34.htm" title="Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.">Proverbs 8:34</a>,35</span>. The fruits of sin, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/8-36.htm" title="But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.">Proverbs 8:36</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> It is a great question what this wisdom is, of which Solomon discourseth so largely and profoundly in this chapter. Some understand it of that attribute or perfection of the Divine nature which is called wisdom, whereby God perfectly knoweth all things, and maketh known to men what he judgeth necessary or expedient for them to know. Others understand it of the second person in the Godhead, the Son of God, who is called <span class="ital">the Wisdom of God</span>, <span class="bld"><a href="/luke/11-49.htm" title="Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:">Luke 11:49</a></span>. And it cannot fairly be denied that some passages do best agree to the former, and others to the latter opinion. Possibly both may be joined together, and the chapter may be understood of Christ, considered partly in his personal capacity, and partly in regard of his office, which was to impart the mind and will of God to mankind, which he did, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. By revealing it to and writing it upon the mind of man at his first creation; for it was Christ who then gave being, and life, and light to mankind, as is undeniably evident from <span class="bld"><a href="/context/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....">John 1:1-4</a></span>, &c. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. By publishing it unto the holy patriarchs and prophets in the time of the Old Testament; for it was Christ who spake and discovered things to them from time to time, as is manifest from <span class="bld"><a href="/1_peter/1-11.htm" title="Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.">1 Peter 1:11</a> 3:18-20</span>, and from many other scriptures, both of the Old Testament, as I have formerly noted in their proper places, and in the New Testament, as we shall see hereafter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>3. By declaring it from his own mouth, and by his apostles and ministers under the gospel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Put forth her voice; </span> clearly and audibly instruct men how to avoid those fleshly lusts. He opposeth the inviting words of wisdom to the seducing speeches of the harlot. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="2"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-2.htm">Proverbs 8:2</a></div><div class="verse">She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.</div> <span class="bld">In the top of high places, </span> where she may be best seen and heard; not in corners and in the dark, as the harlot did. In the places of the paths; where many paths meet, where there is a great concourse, and where travellers may need direction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="3"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-3.htm">Proverbs 8:3</a></div><div class="verse">She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.</div> <span class="bld">At the gates; </span> the places of judgment, and of the confluence of people. At the entry of the city, to invite passengers at their first coming, and to conduct them to her house. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">At the coming in at the doors, </span> to wit, of her house, as the harlot stood at her door to invite lovers: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="4"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-4.htm">Proverbs 8:4</a></div><div class="verse">Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice <i>is</i> to the sons of man.</div> To all men without exception, even to the meanest, who are thus called, <span class="bld"><a href="/psalms/49-2.htm" title="Both low and high, rich and poor, together.">Psalm 49:2</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="5"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Proverbs 8:5</a></div><div class="verse">O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.</div> <span class="bld">Ye simple; </span> who want knowledge and experience, and are easily deceived. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Ye fools; </span> wilful and obstinate sinners. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="6"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">Proverbs 8:6</a></div><div class="verse">Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips <i>shall be</i> right things.</div> <span class="bld">Of excellent things, </span> Heb. <span class="ital">of princely things</span>, worthy of princes to learn and practise them; or such as excel common things as much as princes do ordinary persons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="7"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-7.htm">Proverbs 8:7</a></div><div class="verse">For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness <i>is</i> an abomination to my lips.</div> <span class="bld">Shall speak, </span> Heb. <span class="ital">shall meditate</span>, i.e. shall speak not rashly and hastily, but what I have well considered and digested. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Is an abomination to my lips:</span> I hate to speak it; therefore you may be assured that I shall not deceive you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="8"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-8.htm">Proverbs 8:8</a></div><div class="verse">All the words of my mouth <i>are</i> in righteousness; <i>there is</i> nothing froward or perverse in them.</div> <span class="bld">All the words of my mouth; </span> all my precepts, promises, threatenings, &c. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Nothing froward or perverse in them; </span> not the least mixture of vanity, or error, or folly in them, as there is in the words of the wisest philosophers, &c. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="9"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-9.htm">Proverbs 8:9</a></div><div class="verse">They <i>are</i> all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.</div> <span class="bld">Plain; </span> evident and clear to their minds; or, right, just and good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">To him that understandeth; </span> either to him who with an honest mind applies himself to the study of them in the diligent use of all the means appointed by God to that end; or to him whose mind God hath enlightened by his Spirit, though they seem otherwise to ignorant and carnal-minded men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">That find knowledge; </span> that are truly wise and discerning persons, and taught of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="10"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">Proverbs 8:10</a></div><div class="verse">Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.</div> <span class="bld">And not silver, </span> i.e. rather than silver, as such negative expressions are understood, <span class="bld"><a href="/genesis/45-8.htm" title="So now it was not you that sent me here, but God: and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.">Genesis 45:8</a> <a href="/exodus/16-8.htm" title="And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD hears your murmurings which you murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.">Exodus 16:8</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm" title="For I spoke not to your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:">Jeremiah 7:22</a> 16:14,15</span>, and in many other places. Though withal he seems to intimate the inconsistency of these two studies and designs, and the great hinderance which the love of riches gives to the study of wisdom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="11"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-11.htm">Proverbs 8:11</a></div><div class="verse">For wisdom <i>is</i> better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.</div> No text from Poole on this verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="12"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-12.htm">Proverbs 8:12</a></div><div class="verse">I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.</div> <span class="bld">Dwell with prudence; </span> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Find out knowledge, </span> i.e. I know them as clearly and certainly as if I had found them out by diligent searching. Or, <span class="ital">I find out</span>, is put for I help men to find out, as the Spirit is said to intercede, <span class="bld"><a href="/romans/8-26.htm" title="Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.">Romans 8:26</a></span>, when it helpeth us to do so. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Of witty inventions; </span> 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, <span class="ital">of wicked devices</span>, as this very word is translated, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/12-2.htm" title="A good man obtains favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.">Proverbs 12:2</a> 14:17 24:8</span>? 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="13"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a></div><div class="verse">The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.</div> <span class="bld">The fear of the Lord; </span> which he had before noted to be the beginning of wisdom, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm" title="The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.">Proverbs 1:7</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Is to hate evil; </span> it consists in a careful abstinence from all sin, and that not from carnal or prudential motives, but from a true dislike and hatred of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Pride; </span> which he mentions first, as that which is most hateful to God, and most opposite to true wisdom and to the fear of God, which constantly produce humility. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The evil way; </span> all wicked actions, especially sinful custom: and courses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The froward mouth; </span> false doctrines, and bad counsels and deceits. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="14"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-14.htm">Proverbs 8:14</a></div><div class="verse">Counsel <i>is</i> mine, and sound wisdom: I <i>am</i> understanding; I have strength.</div> <span class="bld">Sound wisdom:</span> all solid, and substantial, and useful, yea essential wisdom, is natural and essential to me, for the word properly signifies <span class="ital">essence</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">I am understanding, </span> or, my nature and essence, as was now said. Or, I am the author of understanding; as <span class="bld"><a href="/john/17-3.htm" title="And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.">John 17:3</a></span>. <span class="ital">This is life eternal</span>, i.e. this is the cause or means of it. <span class="ital">I have strength</span> courage and resolution to execute all my counsels, and to conquer all difficulties. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="15"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-15.htm">Proverbs 8:15</a></div><div class="verse">By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.</div> <span class="bld">By me kings reign:</span> either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. They get their kingdom by mine appointment and providence. Or rather, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. They rule their kingdoms wisely, and justly, and happily, by my counsel and assistance; for this best suits with the next clause. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">And princes decree justice:</span> their injustice or wickedness is from themselves, but all the just and good thing: which they do they owe to my conduct. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="16"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm">Proverbs 8:16</a></div><div class="verse">By me princes rule, and nobles, <i>even</i> all the judges of the earth.</div> No text from Poole on this verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="17"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17</a></div><div class="verse">I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.</div> <span class="bld">I love them that love me; </span> I do not despise their love though it be but a small and inconsiderable thing to me but I kindly accept it, and will recompense it with my love and favour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">That seek me early, </span> i.e. with sincere affection, and great diligence, and above all other persons or things in the world; which he mentions as the effect and evidence of their love; for otherwise all men pretend to love God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="18"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">Proverbs 8:18</a></div><div class="verse">Riches and honour <i>are</i> with me; <i>yea</i>, durable riches and righteousness.</div> Which he mentions here, either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. As the best and surest way to get and to keep riches; for estates unjustly gotten quickly vanish, as is manifest both from Scripture and from common observation. Or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. To signify that this wisdom gives both worldly and spiritual or heavenly blessings together to its followers, whereas God gives riches alone to ungodly men, and they are to expect no other portion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="19"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-19.htm">Proverbs 8:19</a></div><div class="verse">My fruit <i>is</i> better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.</div> No text from Poole on this verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="20"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-20.htm">Proverbs 8:20</a></div><div class="verse">I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:</div> Keeping at an equal distance from both extremes, and from the very borders of them; which is called a <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">putting away iniquity far from us, <a href="/job/22-23.htm" title="If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, you shall put away iniquity far from your tabernacles.">Job 22:23</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="21"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-21.htm">Proverbs 8:21</a></div><div class="verse">That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.</div> <span class="bld">Substance; </span> substantial, and true, and satisfying happiness; which is here opposed to all worldly enjoyments which are said not to be, <span class="bld"><a href="/proverbs/23-5.htm" title="Will you set your eyes on that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.">Proverbs 23:5</a></span>; which are but mere shadows and dreams of felicity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="22"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Proverbs 8:22</a></div><div class="verse">The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.</div> <span class="bld">Possessed me, </span> as his Son by eternal generation, who was from eternity with him, as is said, <span class="bld"><a href="/john/14-10.htm" title="Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.">John 14:10</a></span>; and <span class="ital">in him</span>, as he also was in me, <span class="bld"><a href="/john/14-10.htm" title="Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.">John 14:10</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">In the beginning; </span> yea, and before the beginning, as it is largely expressed in the following verses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Of his way; </span> either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. Of his counsels or decrees. Or rather, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. Of his works of creation, as it follows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="23"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-23.htm">Proverbs 8:23</a></div><div class="verse">I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.</div> <span class="bld">Set up, </span> Heb. <span class="ital">anointed</span>; ordained or constituted to be the person by whom the Father resolved to do all his works, first to create, and then to uphold, and govern, and judge, and afterwards to redeem and save the world; all which works are particularly ascribed to the Son of God, as is manifest from <span class="bld"><a href="/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.">John 1:1</a></span>, &c.; <span class="bld"><a href="/colossians/1-16.htm" title=" For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:">Colossians 1:16</a>,17 Heb 1:3</span>, and many other places, as we may see hereafter in their several places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">From the beginning; </span> before which there was nothing but a vast eternity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Or ever the earth was; </span> which he mentions, because this, together with the heaven, was the first of God’s visible works. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="24"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-24.htm">Proverbs 8:24</a></div><div class="verse">When <i>there were</i> no depths, I was brought forth; when <i>there were</i> no fountains abounding with water.</div> <span class="bld">No depths; </span> no abyss or deep waters, either mixed with the earth, as they were at first, or separated from it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Brought forth; </span> begotten of my Father’s essence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="25"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-25.htm">Proverbs 8:25</a></div><div class="verse">Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:</div> <span class="bld">Settled; </span> or, <span class="ital">fixed</span> by their roots in the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="26"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">Proverbs 8:26</a></div><div class="verse">While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.</div> <span class="bld">The earth, </span> i.e. the dry land, called <span class="ital">earth</span> after it was separated from the waters, <span class="bld"><a href="/genesis/1-10.htm" title="And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.">Genesis 1:10</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The fields; </span> the plain and open parts of the earth, distinguished from the mountains and hills, and the valleys enclosed between them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">The highest part; </span> or, <span class="ital">the first part</span>, or <span class="ital">beginning</span>; or, <span class="ital">the best part</span>, Heb. <span class="ital">the head</span>; that which exceeds other parts in riches or fruitfulness; which he seems to distinguish from the common fields. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Of the dust of the world; </span> of this lower part of the world, which consisteth of dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="27"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Proverbs 8:27</a></div><div class="verse">When he prepared the heavens, I <i>was</i> there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:</div> <span class="bld">I was there, </span> not as an idle spectator, but as a co-worker with my Father. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Of the depth, </span> i.e. of that great and deep abyss of water and earth mixed together, which is called both <span class="ital">earth</span> and <span class="ital">water</span>, and the deep, <span class="bld"><a href="/genesis/1-2.htm" title="And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.">Genesis 1:2</a></span>. When he made this lower world round, or in the form of a globe, agreeable to the form of the upper world. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="28"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-28.htm">Proverbs 8:28</a></div><div class="verse">When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:</div> <span class="bld">Established, </span> Heb. <span class="ital">strengthened</span>, by his word and decree, which alone upholds the clouds in the air, which of themselves are thin and weak bodies, and would quickly be dissolved or dispersed. When he strengthened the fountains; when he shut up the several fountains in the cavities of the earth, and kept them there as it were by a song hand for the use of mankind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Of the deep; </span> which have their original from the deep, either from the sea, or from the abyss of waters in the bowels of the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="29"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Proverbs 8:29</a></div><div class="verse">When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:</div> <span class="bld">His decree; </span> or, <span class="ital">his bound or limits</span>, to wit, those parts of the earth which border upon it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Not pass his commandment, </span> i.e. not overflow the earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Appointed, </span> or <span class="ital">laid, the foundations o the earth</span>; either, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>1. The centre of the earth; or, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>2. The earth itself, which is the foundation of the world; or rather, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span>3. The firm standing of the earth upon its foundations, notwithstanding all the assaults which the waters of the sea or within the earth make against it; which is a singular work of God’s providence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="30"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-30.htm">Proverbs 8:30</a></div><div class="verse">Then I was by him, <i>as</i> one brought up <i>with him</i>: and I was daily <i>his</i> delight, rejoicing always before him;</div> <span class="bld">By him; </span> conversant with him, and united to him, as was said before. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">As one brought up with him; </span> as one tenderly and dearly beloved by him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Rejoicing always before him; </span> he and I had constant, and intimate, and sweet converse together. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="31"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31</a></div><div class="verse">Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights <i>were</i> with the sons of men.</div> <span class="bld">Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; </span> in contemplating the wonderful wisdom and goodness of God in the making and ordering of all his creatures, and of man especially. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">My delights were with the sons of men, </span> to uphold them by my power and providence, to reveal myself and my Father’s mind and will to them from age to age, to assume their nature, and to redeem and save them, which I would not do for the fallen angels. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="32"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm">Proverbs 8:32</a></div><div class="verse">Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed <i>are they that</i> keep my ways.</div> <span class="bld">Now therefore; </span> seeing I have such a true love to you, and seeing I am so thoroughly acquainted with my Father’s mind, and so excellently qualified to be your Counsellor and Ruler. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="33"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-33.htm">Proverbs 8:33</a></div><div class="verse">Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.</div> Or, <span class="ital">do not make it void</span> or unprofitable to you by your own sloth or wilfulness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="34"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-34.htm">Proverbs 8:34</a></div><div class="verse">Blessed <i>is</i> the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.</div> As servants, and clients, and others wait at the doors of princes or persons of eminency for place, or power, or wisdom, that they may be admitted to speak or converse with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="35"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-35.htm">Proverbs 8:35</a></div><div class="verse">For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.</div> No text from Poole on this verse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="36"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/proverbs/8-36.htm">Proverbs 8:36</a></div><div class="verse">But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.</div> <span class="bld">He that sinneth against me, </span> by the neglect or contempt of or rebellion against my commands, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">wrongeth his own soul; </span> is guilty of self-murder and of soul-murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">They that hate me, </span> i.e. who reject and disobey my counsels, and live wickedly, which in God’s account is a hating of him, as is here implied and elsewhere, as <span class="bld"><a href="/exodus/20-5.htm" title="You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;">Exodus 20:5</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-10.htm" title="And repays them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hates him, he will repay him to his face.">Deu 7:10</a> 32:41</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Love death; </span> not directly or intentionally, but by consequence, because they love those practices which they know will bring certain destruction upon them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Matthew Poole's Commentary<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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