Proverbs Chapter 8

Updated: September 14, 2025

The Excellence of Wisdom

1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

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

10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Excellence of Wisdom

1 Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

4 “To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

5 You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

12 “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16 By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;

21 That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

22 “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth;

26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;

30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

35 For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”

The Excellence of Wisdom

1 Does not wisdom call out,

and understanding raise her voice?

2 On the heights overlooking the road,

at the crossroads she takes her stand.

3 Beside the gates to the city,

at the entrances she cries out:

4 “To you, O men, I call out,

and my cry is to the sons of men.

5 O simple ones, learn to be shrewd;

O fools, gain understanding. a

6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,

and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

7 For my mouth will speak the truth,

and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;

none are crooked or perverse.

9 They are all plain to the discerning,

and upright to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than pure gold.

11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies,

and nothing you desire compares with her.

12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;

I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have insight and strength.

15 By me kings reign,

and rulers enact just laws;

16 By me princes rule,

and all nobles who govern justly. b

17 I love those who love me,

and those who seek me early shall find me.

18 With me are riches and honor,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, pure gold,

and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing wealth on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.

22 The LORD created me as His first course, c

before His works of old.

23 From everlasting I was established,

from the beginning, before the earth began.

24 When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth,

when no springs were overflowing with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled,

before the hills, I was brought forth,

26 before He made the land or fields,

or any of the dust of the earth.

27 I was there when He established the heavens,

when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

28 when He established the clouds above,

when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

29 when He set a boundary for the sea,

so that the waters would not surpass His command,

when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

30 Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side,

and His delight d day by day,

rejoicing always in His presence.

31 I was rejoicing in His whole world,

delighting together in the sons of men.

32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,

for blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to instruction and be wise;

do not ignore it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at the posts of my doorway.

35 For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains the favor of the LORD.

36 But he who fails to find me harms himself;

all who hate me love death.”

Footnotes:

5 a Or instruct your minds
16 b Some Hebrew manuscripts and LXX who govern the earth
22 c Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way
30 d Or filled with His delight

The Excellence of Wisdom

1Doth not wisdom call? And understanding give forth her voice?

2At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,

3At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, The entrance of the openings, she crieth aloud,

4Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice is unto the sons of men.

5Understand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart,

6Hearken, for noble things I speak, And the opening of my lips is uprightness.

7For truth doth my mouth utter, And an abomination to my lips is wickedness.

8In righteousness are all the sayings of my mouth, Nothing in them is froward and perverse.

9All of them are plain to the intelligent, And upright to those finding knowledge.

10Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For better is wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.

12I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out.

13The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, And a froward mouth, I have hated.

14Mine is counsel and substance, I am understanding, I have might.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,

16By me do chiefs rule, and nobles, All judges of the earth.

17I love those loving me, And those seeking me earnestly do find me.

18Wealth and honour are with me, Lasting substance and righteousness.

19Better is my fruit than gold, even fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver.

20In a path of righteousness I cause to walk, In midst of paths of judgment,

21To cause my lovers to inherit substance, Yea, their treasures I fill.

22Jehovah possessed me -- the beginning of His way, Before His works since then.

23From the age I was anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth.

24In there being no depths, I was brought forth, In there being no fountains heavy with waters,

25Before mountains were sunk, Before heights, I was brought forth.

26While He had not made the earth, and out-places, And the top of the dusts of the world.

27In His preparing the heavens I am there, In His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep,

28In His strengthening clouds above, In His making strong fountains of the deep,

29In His setting for the sea its limit, And the waters transgress not His command, In His decreeing the foundations of earth,

30Then I am near Him, a workman, And I am a delight -- day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times,

31Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, And my delights are with the sons of men.

32And now, ye sons, hearken to me, Yea, happy are they who keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and slight not.

34O the happiness of the man hearkening to me, To watch at my doors day by day, To watch at the door-posts of my entrance.

35For whoso is finding me, hath found life, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

36And whoso is missing me, is wronging his soul, All hating me have loved death!

New Bible Challenges and Quizzes being added regularly.

Begin a Bible Quiz

The F.O.G Commentary

When Wisdom Gets Personal

What’s Proverbs 8 about?

This is where Wisdom herself steps onto the stage and starts talking – not as an abstract concept, but as a living, breathing person who was there when God laid the foundations of the earth. It’s one of the most beautiful and mysterious passages in all of Scripture, and it completely changes how we think about what wisdom actually is.

The Full Context

Proverbs 8 sits right in the heart of the book’s opening section, where Solomon is essentially trying to convince his son (and us) that wisdom isn’t just a nice-to-have accessory in life – it’s absolutely essential. The whole book of Proverbs was written during Solomon’s reign (around 950 BC) as part of Israel’s wisdom literature, designed to teach young people how to navigate life with skill and understanding. But what makes this chapter so startling is that wisdom suddenly stops being talked about and starts talking for herself.

The literary structure here is brilliant. After seven chapters of Solomon telling us about wisdom, chapter 8 gives wisdom her own voice. She’s personified as a woman – chokmah in Hebrew – calling out in the streets, at the city gates, wherever people gather. This isn’t just poetic language; it’s setting up one of the most profound theological statements in the Hebrew Bible. The chapter culminates with Wisdom claiming to have been present at creation itself, working alongside God as His craftsman and delight. Early Christians would later see profound connections to Christ in these verses, making this passage a bridge between Hebrew wisdom literature and New Testament Christology.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Hebrew word for wisdom here is chokmah, and it’s feminine – which is why Wisdom speaks as “she” throughout this chapter. But this isn’t just grammatical gender; there’s something deeper happening. In the ancient Near East, wisdom was often associated with feminine divine figures, but Israel’s wisdom is different. She’s not a goddess competing with Yahweh – she’s His partner in creation.

Grammar Geeks

The word amon in verse 30 is one of those Hebrew words that keeps scholars up at night. It could mean “craftsman,” “nursing child,” or “constant companion.” The ambiguity might be intentional – Wisdom is all three to God during creation.

Look at how Wisdom describes herself in verses 22-31. The Hebrew verb qanah in verse 22 – often translated as “possessed” or “created” – literally means “acquired” or “begotten.” It’s the same word used when Eve says she “acquired” Cain from the Lord in Genesis 4:1. This suggests something more intimate than mere creation – more like generation or bringing forth.

When Wisdom says she was “brought forth” in verses 24-25, the Hebrew word chil is typically used for giving birth. The imagery is striking: before anything else existed – before the depths, before the mountains, before the earth itself – Wisdom was born from God.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

The F.O.G Bible Project

This page has a unique origin story and vision. Find out why your visit today is about more than words.

What is the F.O.G?

For ancient Israelites, this would have been both familiar and shocking. Familiar because wisdom literature was common in the ancient Near East – Egypt had similar texts, and so did Mesopotamia. But shocking because of what Israel’s Wisdom claims about herself.

Did You Know?

The city gates where Wisdom calls out weren’t just entrances to the city – they were the ancient world’s equivalent of town halls, courthouses, and business districts all rolled into one. This is where justice was dispensed, contracts were made, and important announcements were heard.

In the ancient world, when someone spoke “at the gates,” they were making a public, official proclamation. So when Wisdom positions herself there in verses 1-3, she’s not just offering helpful life tips – she’s making authoritative declarations about reality itself.

The original audience would have immediately recognized the creation language in verses 22-31 as echoing Genesis 1. But here’s what would have blown their minds: Wisdom isn’t just watching creation happen – she’s actively involved, described as God’s amon (craftsman/companion) and as “rejoicing always before him.”

But Wait… Why Did They…?

Here’s something that might puzzle modern readers: Why does Wisdom spend so much time in verses 4-21 talking about her benefits before revealing her cosmic origins? Wouldn’t you lead with “I was there when God made the world”?

But this sequence is actually brilliant rhetoric. Wisdom first establishes her credibility by demonstrating her practical value – she offers insight, righteousness, justice, and riches that are better than gold. She proves her worth in the marketplace of daily life before revealing her divine credentials.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Notice how in verse 17, Wisdom says she loves those who love her – using the Hebrew word ahav, which is typically reserved for deep, covenant love. This isn’t just professional consultation; it’s personal relationship.

There’s also this fascinating detail in verse 31 where Wisdom says her delight was with “the children of man.” The Hebrew word sha’shua’im suggests not just happiness, but exuberant, playful delight. Wisdom isn’t some stern taskmaster – she’s genuinely delighted by humanity.

Wrestling with the Text

This chapter raises some profound questions that have echoed through centuries of theological reflection. Is Wisdom a separate being from God, or is she an aspect of God’s own nature? The language seems to suggest both unity and distinction simultaneously.

When Wisdom claims to be “brought forth” before creation, is this metaphorical language about God’s eternal wisdom, or is it describing something more literal? Early Christian theologians saw in these verses a prefiguring of Christ – the Word who was “with God and was God” (John 1:1) and through whom all things were made.

The Hebrew text maintains a beautiful tension here. Wisdom is clearly distinct enough from God to speak about their relationship, yet intimate enough to be called his amon – his craftsman, his constant companion, his delight.

“Wisdom isn’t just information you download – she’s a person you get to know, and she’s been waiting to know you since before the world began.”

What’s particularly striking is how personal this all becomes. This isn’t abstract philosophical speculation about the nature of wisdom – it’s Wisdom herself inviting us into relationship. She calls out to us (verse 4), loves those who love her (verse 17), and promises to be found by those who seek her (verse 17).

How This Changes Everything

Understanding Proverbs 8 revolutionizes how we think about wisdom itself. We often treat wisdom as a commodity – something we acquire through experience, education, or age. But this chapter reveals wisdom as relational, personal, and cosmic in scope.

Wisdom isn’t just about making good choices (though she certainly helps with that). She’s about aligning ourselves with the fundamental order of reality – the same order that was established when the world was made. When we pursue wisdom, we’re not just trying to be smart; we’re trying to think God’s thoughts after Him.

This also transforms our understanding of learning and growth. Wisdom delights in teaching us (verses 32-36), not because she’s trying to impress us with her knowledge, but because she genuinely enjoys our company. Learning becomes less about performance and more about relationship.

For the New Testament believer, this passage takes on even deeper meaning. When Colossians 2:3 tells us that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” we’re not just talking about having access to good advice – we’re talking about knowing the One who was there when the foundations of the world were laid.

Key Takeaway

Wisdom isn’t a what – it’s a who. And she’s been calling your name since before the world began, not because she needs you, but because she delights in you and wants to share with you the secrets of how reality actually works.

Proverbs Chapter 8

Add Comment

God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.