Proverbs 8:29

Authorized King James Version

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When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

Original Language Analysis

בְּשׂ֘וּמ֤וֹ When he gave H7760
בְּשׂ֘וּמ֤וֹ When he gave
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 1 of 10
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לַיָּ֨ם׀ to the sea H3220
לַיָּ֨ם׀ to the sea
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 2 of 10
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
חֻקּ֗וֹ his decree H2706
חֻקּ֗וֹ his decree
Strong's: H2706
Word #: 3 of 10
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וּ֭מַיִם that the waters H4325
וּ֭מַיִם that the waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 4 of 10
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽעַבְרוּ should not pass H5674
יַֽעַבְרוּ should not pass
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 6 of 10
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
פִ֑יו his commandment H6310
פִ֑יו his commandment
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 7 of 10
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
בְּ֝חוּק֗וֹ when he appointed H2710
בְּ֝חוּק֗וֹ when he appointed
Strong's: H2710
Word #: 8 of 10
properly, to hack, i.e., engrave (judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive
מ֣וֹסְדֵי the foundations H4144
מ֣וֹסְדֵי the foundations
Strong's: H4144
Word #: 9 of 10
a foundation
אָֽרֶץ׃ of the earth H776
אָֽרֶץ׃ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 10 of 10
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

When God gave the sea its boundary, when He laid earth's foundations, wisdom was there. The Hebrew 'chaqaq' (decree/inscribe) and 'mow'da' (foundation) describe authoritative establishing. Job 38:8-11 similarly describes God setting sea's boundaries. Wisdom establishes both limits (sea's boundary) and foundations (earth's stability). Creation involves both restriction and support - limiting chaos, establishing order. Divine wisdom providentially governs all reality.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern myths portrayed sea as chaotic threat requiring divine combat (Baal vs Yam, Marduk vs Tiamat). Biblical creation radically differs - God sovereignly commands sea's boundaries without struggle. Jeremiah 5:22 asks: 'Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it?' Divine wisdom's decree secures creation against chaos.

Questions for Reflection