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NASB | Proverbs 8:22 ¶ "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 8:22 ¶ "The LORD created and possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old [were accomplished]. |
Subject: What or whom is Prov 8:22 referring to? |
Bible Note: Elijah, how can you possibly tie Colossians 1:15 with Proverbs 8:22? Is there any association at all between these two verses? If answered in truth, the truth is "not at all"! Must I answer my own question yet again to ensure that I get a halfway decent, Biblically sound response? Zondervan's NASB Study Bible suggests that the 'me' in Prov. 8:22 is "Wisdom (see 3:19; Psalm 104:24)." Ryrie's Expanded Edition NASB Study Bible states for 8:22-31, "This section has often been interpreted Christologically, as presenting a picture of Christ rather than simply the eternal character of wisdom. Though Christ is the revelation of God's wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24) and possesses all wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3), there is no clear indication that Christ is revealed here. The passage shows that wisdom is older than creation and is fundamental to it (v.23), that it assisted in creation as a master workman (v. 30), and that it rejoiced in creation (vv. 30-31). 8:22 'The Lord possessed me.' I.e, wisdom is God's; it came forth from Him." Nelson's NKJV Study Bible suggests, "This section of ch. 8 describes wisdom's role in creation. The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way: The Hebrew verb for possessed can mean "brought forth" or "created." Melchizedek used the same word to identify God as Creator of the universe (see Gen. 14:19). God, who is ever wise, produced wisdom; God, who possesses all knowledge, brought forth knowledge. Wisdom had a beginning only in the sense that God singled it out for special display at that time; insofar as it is one of God's perfections, it has always existed (v.23). These verses provide part of the background for the New Testament portrayal of Christ as the divine Word (John 1:1-3) and as the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24, 30; Col. 2:3)." MacArthur's NKJV Study Bible comments on this verse also, "'The LORD possessed me.' Cf. 3:19,20. Wisdom personified claims credit for everything that God created, so that wisdom was first, as God was eternally first. Christ used His eternal wisdom in creation (John 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:24,30)." |