Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:12-21
Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centres; it is the soul formed by the word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing.
I. Divine wisdom gives men good heads (Pro 8:12): I Wisdom dwell with prudence, not with carnal policy (the wisdom that is from above is contrary to that, Co2 1:12), but with true discretion…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 8:20
The courses in which wisdom leads conduct to a true present prosperity (Pro 23:5).
John Gill on Proverbs 8:20
I lead in the way of righteousness,.... As a king his subjects, a shepherd his flock; as a guide to persons that are ignorant and out of the way; as parents their children, teaching them to go; or as a master his scholars: and the way Wisdom, or Christ, leads his people in, is "the way of righteousness"; the doctrine of righteousness, or the way and manner of a sinner's justification in the sight of God; all men are out of the way of it, and are ignorant of the right way; Christ leads them into it: he leads them off of their own righteousness by showing that it does not deserve the name of one; that it is unacceptable to God, unprofitable to him, and insufficient to justify them before him;…
Read the whole note in the consoleKeil & Delitzsch on Proverbs 8:17-21
The discourse of Wisdom makes a fresh departure, as at Pro 8:13 : she tells how, to those who love her, she repays this love:
17 "I love them that love me,
And they that seek me early find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me,
Durable riches and righteousness.
19 Better is my fruit than pure and fine gold,
And my revenue (better) than choice silver.
20 In the way of righteousness do I walk,
In the midst of the paths of justice.
21 To give an inheritance to them that love me
And I fill their treasuries."
The Chethı̂b אהביה (ego hos qui eam amant redamo), Gesenius, Lehrgeb. 196, 5, regards as a possible synallage (eam = me), but one would rather think that it ought to be read (יהוה =) 'אהבי ה.…
