Proverbs 8:22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Original Language Analysis
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
קָ֭נָנִי
possessed
H7069
קָ֭נָנִי
possessed
Strong's:
H7069
Word #:
2 of 7
to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
רֵאשִׁ֣ית
me in the beginning
H7225
רֵאשִׁ֣ית
me in the beginning
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
3 of 7
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ
of his way
H1870
דַּרְכּ֑וֹ
of his way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cosmogonies often described gods creating through conflict or sexual generation. Genesis and Proverbs radically differ - God creates through wisdom/word, rationally ordering chaos into cosmos. No divine conflict, no theogony (god-birthing), just sovereign wise creation. This revolutionized understanding of both God and creation - reality is rationally ordered because it's wisely designed.
Questions for Reflection
- How does wisdom's eternal existence with God affect your understanding of truth?
- In what ways does creation reveal divine wisdom's order and design?
- How does Christ as eternal Wisdom change your relationship with truth and knowledge?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD possessed wisdom at creation's beginning, before His works of old. The Hebrew 'qanah' (possess/create/acquire) describes wisdom's primordial existence. Wisdom isn't created thing but eternal attribute of God, possessed before creation. John 1:1-3 echoes this: 'In the beginning was the Word...all things were made by him.' Wisdom/Word/Christ existed eternally with God, instrumental in creation. This grounds wisdom in God's eternal being.