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Wisdom is Timeless

Proverbs 8:23 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²³Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

Ages ago I was set up: The Hebrew noun (מֵעוֹלָם meolam) rendered ages ago is another pastime expression that has the sense of the distant past. The term is about an unlimited amount of time. Olam is another expression that emphasizes the most distant past or future, which is often rendered “everlasting.” Here in reference to Wisdom, it refers to the most remote past. The Hebrew verb rendered set up (נָסַךְ nasak) is much disputed. It can mean being established, appointed, chosen, and installed in a position. The HOTTP (Hebrew Old Testament Text Project) views the Hebrew text a “B” and approves both “I was established” and “I was fashioned” as translations options. Nevertheless, the language is figurative, and the sense of “create” in verse 22 is carried over here.

At the first, before the beginning of the earth: The Hebrew term rendered at the first (ראֹשׁ rosh) has twenty different meanings. Here it means the first part of something, at the beginning, in that case, the creation of the heavens, the earth, and humans. Verse 22 says, “Jehovah created me … verse 23 at the first.” Here beginning of the earth means before the creation of the earth.

Wisdom belongs to one who has the ability to put God-given knowledge to its proper use. And how remarkably and abundantly the Bible makes wisdom available to us! Yes, it contains words of wisdom, such as those found in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and all of us need to pay close attention to these words. We also find throughout the Bible many examples that show the advantages of applying godly principles and the traps of ignoring them. – Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11.