Worthy.Bible » ASV » Proverbs » Chapter 8 » Verse 9

Proverbs 8:9 American Standard (ASV)

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge.

Cross Reference

Proverbs 14:6 ASV

A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and `findeth it' not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.

Psalms 19:7-8 ASV

The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalms 25:12-14 ASV

What man is he that feareth Jehovah? Him shall he instruct in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; And his seed shall inherit the land. The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; And he will show them his covenant.

Psalms 119:98-100 ASV

Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.

Proverbs 15:14 ASV

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.

Proverbs 15:24 ASV

To the wise the way of life `goeth' upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

Proverbs 17:24 ASV

Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 18:1-2 ASV

He that separateth himself seeketh `his own' desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

Proverbs 18:15 ASV

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Isaiah 35:8 ASV

And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for `the redeemed': the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err `therein'.

Micah 2:7 ASV

Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, Is the Spirit of Jehovah straitened? are these his doings? Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?

Matthew 13:11-12 ASV

And he answered and said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath.

John 6:45 ASV

It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me.

John 7:17 ASV

If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or `whether' I speak from myself.

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 ASV

Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.

James 1:5 ASV

But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Commentary on Proverbs 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 8

Pr 8:1-36. Contrasted with sensual allurements are the advantages of divine wisdom, which publicly invites men, offers the best principles of life, and the most valuable benefits resulting from receiving her counsels. Her relation to the divine plans and acts is introduced, as in Pr 3:19, 20, though more fully, to commend her desirableness for men, and the whole is closed by an assurance that those finding her find God's favor, and those neglecting ruin themselves. Many regard the passage as a description of the Son of God by the title, Wisdom, which the older Jews used (and by which He is called in Lu 11:49), as Joh 1:1, &c., describes Him by that of Logos, the Word. But the passage may be taken as a personification of wisdom: for, (1) Though described as with God, wisdom is not asserted to be God. (2) The use of personal attributes is equally consistent with a personification, as with the description of a real person. (3) The personal pronouns used accord with the gender (feminine) of wisdom constantly, and are never changed to that of the person meant, as sometimes occurs in a corresponding use of spirit, which is neuter in Greek, but to which masculine pronouns are often applied (Joh 16:14), when the acts of the Holy Spirit are described. (4) Such a personification is agreeable to the style of this book (compare Pr 1:20; 3:16, 17; 4:8; 6:20-22; 9:1-4), whereas no prophetical or other allusions to the Saviour or the new dispensation are found among the quotations of this book in the New Testament, and unless this be such, none exist. (5) Nothing is lost as to the importance of this passage, which still remains a most ornate and also solemn and impressive teaching of inspiration on the value of wisdom.

1-4. The publicity and universality of the call contrast with the secrecy and intrigues of the wicked (Pr 7:8, &c.).

5. wisdom—literally, "subtilty" in a good sense, or, "prudence."

fools—as Pr 1:22.

6. excellent things—or, "plain," "manifest."

opening … things—upright words.

7. For … truth—literally, "My palate shall meditate," or (as Orientals did) "mutter," my thoughts expressed only to myself are truth.

wickedness—specially falsehood, as opposed to truth.

8. in righteousness—or, "righteous" (Ps 9:8,11:7).

froward—literally, "twisted," or contradictory, that is, to truth.

9. plain … understandeth—easily seen by those who apply their minds.

that find—implying search.

10. not silver—preferable to it, so last clause implies comparison.

11. (Compare Pr 3:14, 15).

12. prudence—as in Pr 8:5. The connection of "wisdom" and "prudence" is that of the dictates of sound wisdom and its application.

find … inventions—or, "devices," "discreet ways" (Pr 1:4).

13. For such is the effect of the fear of God, by which hatred to evil preserves from it.

froward mouth—or, "speech" (Pr 2:12; 6:14).

14. It also gives the elements of good character in counsel.

sound wisdom—(Pr 2:7).

I … strength—or, "As for me, understanding is strength to me," the source of power (Ec 9:16); good judgment gives more efficiency to actions;

15, 16. of which a wisely conducted government is an example.

17. early—or, "diligently," which may include the usual sense of early in life.

18. durable riches … righteousness—Such are the "riches," enduring sources of happiness in moral possessions (compare Pr 3:16).

19. (Compare Pr 8:11; 3:16).

20, 21. The courses in which wisdom leads conduct to a true present prosperity (Pr 23:5).

22-31. Strictly, God's attributes are part of Himself. Yet, to the poetical structure of the whole passage, this commendation of wisdom is entirely consonant. In order of time all His attributes are coincident and eternal as Himself. But to set forth the importance of wisdom as devising the products of benevolence and power, it is here assigned a precedence. As it has such in divine, so should it be desired in human, affairs (compare Pr 3:19).

possessed—or, "created"; in either sense, the idea of precedence.

in the beginning—or simply, "beginning," in apposition with "me."

before … of old—preceding the most ancient deeds.

23. I was set up—ordained, or inaugurated (Ps 2:6). The other terms carry out the idea of the earliest antiquity, and illustrate it by the details of creation [Pr 8:24-29].

24. brought forth—(Compare Ps 90:2).

abounding—or, "laden with water."

25. settled—that is, sunk in foundations.

26. fields—or, "out places," "deserts," as opposite to (habitable) "world."

highest part—or, "sum," all particles together,

27. when he set … depth—marked out the circle, according to the popular idea of the earth, as circular, surrounded by depths on which the visible concave heavens rested.

28. established … deep—that is, so as to sustain the waters above and repress those below the firmament (Ge 1:7-11; Job 26:8).

29. commandment—better, the shore, that is, of the sea.

foundations—figuratively denotes the solid structure (Job 38:4; Ps 24:2).

30, 31. one brought up—an object of special and pleasing regard. The bestowal of wisdom on men is represented by its finding a delightful residence and pleasing God.

32-36. Such an attribute men are urged to seek.

34. watching … waiting—literally, "so as to watch"; wait, denoting a most sedulous attention.

35. (Compare Lu 13:23, 24).

36. sinneth … me—or better, "missing me," as opposed to "finding" [Pr 8:35].

love death—act as if they did (compare Pr 17:9).