Proverbs 8:22-31 study

Proverbs 8:22-31 (DNKJB)

22 Jehovah 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, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass 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.

This passage offers a glimpse of the preexistence of Christ with His Father Jehovah prior to the creation of the heavens and earth.

Verse 22, the word "possessed" comes from the hebrew (strongs 7069) word "qanah" which means "to erect, i.e. create by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own: - attain, buy (-er), get, possess, purchase, recover, redeem.

"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way"

The early Church as well as many of the reformers and the general Protestant churches believed this passage to be about Christ. Ellen White also believed this. With Christ speaking as wisdom, He states that Jehovah possessed (erected, created in the begotten sense, as noted in several passages in the newtestament) Him in the beginning of his way. This clearly teaches that Christ had a beginning as a personality. In the beginning the Word was with God (John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:13-16, Revelation 3:14).

The bible clearly teaches the preexistence of Christ and that He was begotten of the Father in eternity past. What the bible does not specify is exactly how and when in eternity this took place. This is not for us to know, however we do have an example in the bible of one being coming out from another's substance and that is Eve coming out from Adam. It is interesting to note that Jehovah told His Son "Let us make man in our image" before creating Adam and Eve. Eve coming out from Adam's substance could have been a human example of Jesus being begotten from the Father's substance.

Verse 23, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was". The phrase "Set up" comes from the Hebrew word "nacak" (Hebrew Strongs 5258) which means "to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy to anoint a king: - cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).

Christ as wisdom says He was poured out from the times of eternity (everlasting), see Micah 5:2. What was Christ poured out from? Well from verse 22 and several new testament passages, we know that Christ was poured out from the Father. This confirms that Christ was begotten from the Father's substance and not just created out of nothing.

Verse 24-29, before there were the depths of waters, mountains, the earth in general, the heavens, the clouds, appointing of the foundations of the earth and sea boundaries etc. , Christ was brought forth. The phrase "brought forth" comes from the Hebrew word "chuwl" which means "to twist or whirl, to writhe in pain, bear, bring forth, form".

Christ was brought forth (formed) from the Father. The word "from" is important here as this denotes that Christ came from the Father's substance and was not created independent of it. Christ came out from and was formed by the Father.

Verse 30, the phrase "brought up" comes from the Hebrew word "amown (Hebrew Strongs 526) and means "skilled, i.e. an architect: - one brought up". This passage could also be rendered "Then I was by him as a master craftsman: and I was daily his delight".

Wisdom here is described as a skilled architect, a master craftsman. This indicates that this passage is about a person and not a mere attribute of the mind (wisdom).

Remember that Christ is called the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

We see from the above passage that Christ is called the power and wisdom of God.

Here are some new testament passages regarding Christ coming forth, out from the Father.

John 16:27-28 (KJV)

27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

John 3:16 (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Hebrews 1:3-5 (KJV)

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Colossians 1:15 (KJV)

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

1 John 4:9 (KJV)

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 5:1 (KJV)

5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.