{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/cmt/jfb/pro008.htm","path":"bib/cmt/jfb/pro008.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/jfb/pro008.htm","text":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]\nThe publicity and universality of the call contrast with the secrecy and intrigues of the wicked (Pro 7:8, &c.).\nwisdom--literally, \"subtilty\" in a good sense, or, \"prudence.\"\nfools--as Pro 1:22.\nexcellent things--or, \"plain,\" \"manifest.\"\nopening . . . things--upright words.\nFor . . . truth--literally, \"My palate shall meditate,\" or (as Orientals did) \"mutter,\" my thoughts expressed only to myself are truth.\nwickedness--specially falsehood, as opposed to truth.\nin righteousness--or, \"righteous\" (Psa 9:8; Psa 11:7).\nfroward--literally, \"twisted,\" or contradictory, that is, to truth.\nplain . . . understandeth--easily seen by those who apply their minds.\nthat find--implying search.\nnot silver--preferable to it, so last clause implies comparison.\n(Compare Pro 3:14-15).\nprudence--as in Pro 8:5. The connection of \"wisdom\" and \"prudence\" is that of the dictates of sound wisdom and its application.\nfind . . . inventions--or, \"devices,\" \"discreet ways\" (Pro 1:4).\nFor such is the effect of the fear of God, by which hatred to evil preserves from it.\nfroward mouth--or, \"speech\" (Pro 2:12; Pro 6:14).\nIt also gives the elements of good character in counsel.\nsound wisdom-- (Pro 2:7).\nI . . . strength--or, \"As for me, understanding is strength to me,\" the source of power (Ecc 9:16); good judgment gives more efficiency to actions;\nof which a wisely conducted government is an example.\nearly--or, \"diligently,\" which may include the usual sense of early in life.\ndurable riches . . . righteousness--Such are the \"riches,\" enduring sources of happiness in moral possessions (compare Pro 3:16).\n(Compare Pro 8:11; Pro 3:16).\nThe courses in which wisdom leads conduct to a true present prosperity (Pro 23:5).\nStrictly, 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 Pro 3:19).\npossessed--or, \"created\"; in either sense, the idea of precedence.\nin the beginning--or simply, \"beginning,\" in apposition with \"me.\"\nbefore . . . of old--preceding the most ancient deeds.\nI was set up--ordained, or inaugurated (Psa 2:6). The other terms carry out the idea of the earliest antiquity, and illustrate it by the details of creation [Pro 8:24-29].\nbrought forth--(Compare Psa 90:2).\nabounding--or, \"laden with water.\"\nsettled--that is, sunk in foundations.\nfields--or, \"out places,\" \"deserts,\" as opposite to (habitable) \"world.\"\nhighest part--or, \"sum,\" all particles together,\nwhen 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.\nestablished . . . deep--that is, so as to sustain the waters above and repress those below the firmament (Gen 1:7-11; Job 26:8).\ncommandment--better, the shore, that is, of the sea.\nfoundations--figuratively denotes the solid structure (Job 38:4; Psa 24:2).\none 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.\nSuch an attribute men are urged to seek.\nwatching . . . waiting--literally, \"so as to watch\"; wait, denoting a most sedulous attention.\n(Compare Luk 13:23-24).\nsinneth . . . me--or better, \"missing me,\" as opposed to \"finding\" [Pro 8:35].\nlove death--act as if they did (compare Pro 17:9).","title":"A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments: Proverbs: Proverbs Chapter 8","type":"page"}