Proverbs 8:24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Original Language Analysis
בְּאֵין
H369
תְּהֹמ֥וֹת
When there were no depths
H8415
תְּהֹמ֥וֹת
When there were no depths
Strong's:
H8415
Word #:
2 of 7
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
חוֹלָ֑לְתִּי
I was brought forth
H2342
חוֹלָ֑לְתִּי
I was brought forth
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
בְּאֵ֥ין
H369
מַ֝עְיָנ֗וֹת
when there were no fountains
H4599
מַ֝עְיָנ֗וֹת
when there were no fountains
Strong's:
H4599
Word #:
5 of 7
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
Cross References
Proverbs 3:20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.Genesis 1:2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.1 John 4:9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cosmologies often began with primordial waters (Tiamat in Babylonian myth, Nun in Egyptian). Genesis 1:2 references 'the deep' (tehom), but Israel's God orders these waters; He doesn't emerge from them or battle them. Proverbs 8 further emphasizes that even before these primordial waters, wisdom existed with God. Divine wisdom precedes and orders all physical reality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does wisdom's priority over all creation affect your understanding of truth's authority?
- What areas of life do you treat as more fundamental than God's wisdom?
- How should recognizing wisdom's absolute priority reorder your values and pursuits?
Analysis & Commentary
Before the depths existed, before fountains heavy with water, wisdom was brought forth. The Hebrew 'chuwl' (brought forth/born) uses birthing imagery, though not suggesting wisdom is created - rather, emphasizing priority and intimacy. Before primordial waters existed, wisdom was there. The progression emphasizes wisdom's absolute priority over all created things. Everything created presupposes wisdom; wisdom presupposes nothing.