Divine Attributes Personified

Wisdom (Chokmah)

Lady Wisdom Crying in the Streets

Description

In Proverbs 8-9, Wisdom is personified as a noble woman (חָכְמָה, Chokmah) who stands at the gates of the city, crying out to the simple and offering life to all who heed her voice. She declares her antiquity—'The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.' She was present at creation, 'rejoicing always before him,' a master craftsman at God's side. This personification transcends mere literary device; many Church Fathers saw in Wisdom a type of Christ, the Logos who was with God in the beginning. Her invitation—'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled'—prefigures the Lord's Supper. Wisdom builds her house with seven pillars, calls from the highest places, and promises that those who find her find life and obtain favor from the LORD.

Key Verses

Proverbs 8:1-4

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

Proverbs 8:22-25

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.

Proverbs 8:30-31

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Proverbs 8:35-36

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 1:20-23

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.