Proverbs 8:22-31
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,e nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compassf upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Who is referred to as “wisdom” in these verses?
PROBLEM: Many commentators have claimed that the person identified as wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-31 is Jesus, because 1 Corinthians 1:30 states that Jesus is the wisdom of God. However, though the NKJV translates 8:22 as “The Lord possessed me,” the Hebrew uses the word qanah which is usually translated “to create.” If this passage is a reference to Jesus, then why does 8:22 affirm that the Lord created wisdom? If “wisdom” in Proverbs is not a reference to Jesus, then who is it?
SOLUTION: This passage is not a direct reference to any person. Poetic expression often takes an abstract idea and talks about it as if it were a person. This is called personification. The wisdom referred to here is not a reference to Jesus. Rather, it is a personification of the virtue or character of wisdom for the purpose of emphasis and impact. However, since Jesus is the perfect wisdom of God, He is the only one who perfectly personified and exemplified the wisdom spoken of in Proverbs—for “in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).