Proverbs 8:23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Original Language Analysis
מֵ֭עוֹלָם
from everlasting
H5769
מֵ֭עוֹלָם
from everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
נִסַּ֥כְתִּי
I was set up
H5258
נִסַּ֥כְתִּי
I was set up
Strong's:
H5258
Word #:
2 of 5
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king
מֵרֹ֗אשׁ
from the beginning
H7218
מֵרֹ֗אשׁ
from the beginning
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 5
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Cross References
John 17:24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.Psalms 2:6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.Micah 5:2But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Historical Context
Platonic philosophy sought eternal forms behind temporal particulars. Biblical wisdom provides this but personally - not abstract forms but God's eternal wisdom expressed in creation and incarnate in Christ. Hebrews 1:2-3 describes Christ as heir of all things, 'by whom also he made the worlds...upholding all things by the word of his power.' Eternal Wisdom sustains all reality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does wisdom's eternal nature provide certainty amid changing circumstances?
- What does it mean that truth exists eternally, independent of human recognition?
- How should wisdom's eternality affect your confidence in biblical teaching?
Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before earth existed. The Hebrew 'nasak' (set up/established/appointed) and 'olam' (everlasting/eternity) emphasize wisdom's preexistence. Before temporal creation, wisdom existed eternally. This verse moves from v.22's 'beginning of His way' to 'from everlasting' - pushing back beyond creation to eternity. Wisdom is eternal, not contingent; absolute, not relative.