Proverbs 8:27

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: WHEN HE PREPARED THE HEAVENS, I (WAS) THERE: WHEN HE SET A COMPASS UPON THE FACE OF THE DEPTH. "Prepared" or 'fitted.' This refers to the happy adaptation of the form, figure, magnitude, and motion of the heavens, to the conditions of their being, as appointed by God. "I was there," already, from everlasting, being "with God" (; .); and I performed in creation as His instrument (). A compass," or rather, 'a circle.' "He set" a spherical or circular form "upon the face of the depth," or sea, as well as the earth. The spherical form of our globe is best seen at sea. It is striking how the sacred writers, while not rudely offe...

22-31 The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world. How able, how fit is the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was ordained, before the world, to that great work. Does he delight in saving wretched sinners, and shall not we delight in his salvation?...

Verse Proverbs 8:27. _WHEN HE PREPARED THE HEAVENS, I_ WAS _THERE_] For there is no part of the creation of God in which wisdom, skill, contrivance, are more manifest, than in the construction of the visible heavens. _WHEN HE SET A COMPASS UPON THE FACE OF THE DEPTH_] Does not this refer to the establishment of the _law of gravitation_? by which all the particles of matter, tending to a _common centre_, would produce in all bodies the _orbicular_ form, which we see them have; so that even the _waters_ are not only retained within their boundaries, but are subjected to the _circular form_, in their great aggregate of seas, as other parts of matter are. This is called here _making a_ _compass_, בחקו חוג bechukko chug, sweeping a circle; and even this on _the face of the deep_, to bring the chaotic ma

A COMPASS - Better as in the margin and Job 22:14 (see the note), i. e., the great vault of heaven stretched over the deep seas....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 8:1 14. _Fourteenth admonitory discourse _concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exhibits in the most marked manner the nothingness of the deceiver's gifts. One is reminded of the celebrated episode of the choice of Hercules, delineated by Xenophon, 'Memorab.,' 2.1. 21, etc. The chapter divides itself into four sections. (1) Introductory (Proverbs 7:1); Wisdom calls on all to listen, and gives reasons for trusting to her ...

WHEN HE PREPARED THE HEAVENS, I [WAS] THERE,.... Made, beautified, and adorned them; when he gave them their form, figure, magnitude, and motion; when he garnished them with the sun, moon, and stars; then was Christ present, not as a mere spectator, but as a co-worker; see Hebrews 1:10; and even the third heaven, the place and state of glorified saints, prepared for them from the foundation of the world, Matthew 25:34; WHEN HE SET A COMPASS UPON THE FACE OF THE DEPTH: or "compassed the waters with bounds", as Job says, Proverbs 26:10; or made the earth with the sea globular, which make one terraqueous globe: or "made a circle" p; all around it, called the circle of the earth, on which he sits,...

CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The call and appeal of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1)_ 2. What wisdom is and what wisdom gives (Proverbs 8:12) 3. Wisdom; the Person, who He is (Proverbs 8:22) 4. The renewed appeal (Proverbs 8:32) Proverbs 8:1. This is one of the most interesting Chapter s in the entire book. It begins with a call and appeal of wisdom, much like the call and appeal of the first chapter. If wisdom calls, has a voice, then wisdom must also be a person. Who personified wisdom is we learn most blessedly in this chapt

PROVERBS 8. WISDOM SPEAKS IN HER OWN PERSON. This chapter forms at once the nucleus and the climax of this section of the book. The series of addresses on practical wisdom is fitly closed by a profounder presentation of wisdom as the moving principle in the ways of God. It reinforces the practical maxims of Proverbs 8:1 with the fundamental principle that the wise man is in harmony with God. Its date probably fixes the date of the whole section (see Introduction, and for a fuller discussion especially Cheyne, _Job and Solomon,_ pp. 156f.). The relation of the conception of Wisdom personified to the Stoic Logos and to Greek philosophy in general cannot be discussed here. (See _Wisdom Literature_ in HDB, and especially the excellent introduction by Holmes to the Book of Wisdom in Charles-' _Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha._) The two main lines of development of this conception in H

COMPASS. a circle, or vault....

_compass_ Rather, CIRCLE, R.V. text, A.V. marg. The reference is to the heavens, just mentioned, which seem to stand like a vault or dome upon the sea, marked out by the circle of the horizon on its surface. Comp. Job 22:14....