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The Blessings of Wisdom

Proverbs 8:1 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
8 Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding give forth^[1] her voice?

Does not wisdom call: What is written regarding the Word in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures is remarkably in agreement or harmony with the description given in Proverbs 8:22-31. Therein wisdom is personified, characterized as though able to speak and act. (Prov. 8:1) Here, wisdom is being used figuratively to represent the Son of God, as many Christian Bible scholars have right understood it. The fact that “wisdom” is always in the feminine gender, as Hebrew assigns gender to its nouns (as is true of many other languages) does not negate that wisdom is being used figuratively to represent the Son of God. The Greek word for “love” (ἀγάπη agapē) in 1 John 4:8 in the expression “God is love” is also in the feminine gender, yet that does not make God feminine.

Wisdom: (חָכְמָה chokmah) is a sound judgment based on knowledge and understanding. It is the balanced application of that knowledge to answer difficulties, achieve objectives, sidestep or ward off dangers, and help others accomplish the same. The wise person is often contrasted with the fool or stupid person. (Deut. 32:6; Prov. 11:29; Eccles. 6:8) Wisdom is vital, especially in this time of human imperfection. Without it we would make one foolish mistake after another. Today, the wisdom of God is freely available to virtually all.

Does not understanding give forth her voice: Here, understanding (תְּבוּנָה tebunah) is the ability to see how the parts or aspects of something are connected to one another. One who possesses understanding can see the big picture (the entire matter) and not just the isolated facts. (Prov. 2:5; 9:10; 18:15) Give forth her voice can be rendered as “understanding raise her voice.” The strong and bold voice of wisdom and understanding is heard loud and clear throughout the inhabited earth.

Solomon introduces wisdom to the reader as a gracious woman. Solomon gives counsel to the reader himself in other chapters, but here he uses lady wisdom, as a personified character, to counsel us throughout chapter 8. She makes herself available in places where most people can be found to get out her message.

[1] Or raise