Proverbs 8:22

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 8:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.
Proverbs 8:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Strictly, 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). possessed--or, "created"; in either sense, the idea of precedence. in the beginning--or simply, "beginning," in apposition with "me." before . . . of old--preceding the most ancient deeds.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A verse which has played an important part in the history of Christian dogma. Wisdom reveals herself as preceding all creation, stamped upon it all, one with God, yet in some way distinguishable from Him as the object of His love Proverbs 8:30. John declares that all which Wisdom here speaks of herself was true in its highest sense of the Word that became flesh John 1:1-14 : just as Apostles afterward applied Wisd. 7:22-30 to Christ (compare Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3). Possessed - The word has acquired a special prominence in connection with the Arian controversy. The meaning which it usually bears is that of “getting” Genesis 4:1, “buying” Genesis 47:22, “possessing” Jeremiah 32:15. In…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Possessed me - As his son by eternal generation, before the beginning. Of old - His works of creation. Proverbs 8:23”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:22-25 formed me from the beginning . . . I was appointed in ages past: God’s wisdom has always existed. His wisdom is here personified, but wisdom itself is not a person. Wisdom does not exist outside of God; wisdom is an expression of his character and nature. Unlike pagan gods, God needs no outside counselor to give him instructions (see Isa 40:13-14). Jesus is the apex of God’s wisdom (see Col 1:15-17; 2:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 3:19; Joh 1:1, Joh 1:2; Col 1:17 Proverbs 8:23”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wisdom takes now a new departure, in establishing her right to be heard, and to be obeyed and loved by men. As the Divine King in Psa 2:1-12 opposes to His adversaries the self-testimony: "I will speak concerning a decree! Jahve said unto me: Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee;" so Wisdom here unfolds her divine patent of nobility: she originates with God before all creatures, and is the object of God's love and joy, as she also has the object of her love and joy on God's earth, and especially among the sons of men: "Jahve brought me forth as the beginning of His way, As the foremost of His works from of old." The old translators render קנני (with Kametz by Dech; vid., under Psa…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification