Bible Commentary

Proverbs 8:12

The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

I wisdom dwell with prudence; rather, as in the Revised Version, I have made subtilty () my dwelling. Wisdom inhabits prudence, animates and possesses that cleverness and tact which is needed for the practical purposes of life.

So the Lord is said to "inhabit eternity" (). Septuagint, "I wisdom dwelt ( κατεσκήνωσα) in counsel and knowledge," which recalls, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt ( ἐσκήνωσεν) among us" ().

In we find the expression, "Who alone hath ( μόνος ἔχων) immortality," exchanged with the phrase, "Who dwelleth ( οἰκῶν) in the unapproachable light." And find out knowledge of witty inventions.

This rendering refers to the production and solution of dark sayings which Wisdom effects. But the expression is better rendered, "knowledge of deeds of discretion" (), or "of right counsels," and it signifies that Wisdom presides over all well considered designs, that they are not beyond her sphere, and that she has and uses the knowledge of them.

Septuagint, "I ( ἐγὼ) called upon understanding," i.e. it is I who inspire all good and righteous thought.

Recommended reading

More for Proverbs 8:12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-21Proverbs 8:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryChrist the Wisdom of God: No. 1 Though it is not to be supposed that Jesus Christ was in the mind of the writer of this passage, yet as he does personify wisdom, and as wisdom was incarnated in that Son of man who was t…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-36Proverbs 8:1-36 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-36Proverbs 8:1-36 · The Pulpit Commentary14. Fourteenth admonitory discourse concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1-27; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exh…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-21Proverbs 8:1-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe excellency of Divine wisdom: No. 1 In these verses we have portrayed to us the surpassing excellency of the wisdom of God. I. IT IS AUDIBLE TO EVERY ONE. "Doth not Wisdom cry," etc.? (Proverbs 8:1; see homily on Pro…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:10-21Proverbs 8:10-21 · The Pulpit CommentaryWisdom's pleadings She has nothing novel to say concerning her nature, value, and blessings. Preaching must in the main be repetition; the iteration of the old, not with dry and sterile monotony, but with that freshness…Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:12-21Proverbs 8:12-21 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence and skill are fro…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-21The excellency of Divine wisdom: No. 1 In these verses we have portrayed to us the surpassing excellency of the wisdom of God. I. IT IS AUDIBLE TO EVERY ONE. "Doth not Wisdom cry," etc.? (Proverbs 8:1; see homily on Pro…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-3614. Fourteenth admonitory discourse concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1-27; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exh…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-21Christ the Wisdom of God: No. 1 Though it is not to be supposed that Jesus Christ was in the mind of the writer of this passage, yet as he does personify wisdom, and as wisdom was incarnated in that Son of man who was t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-36EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:10-21Wisdom's pleadings She has nothing novel to say concerning her nature, value, and blessings. Preaching must in the main be repetition; the iteration of the old, not with dry and sterile monotony, but with that freshness…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Proverbs 8:12-21Wisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence and skill are fro…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Advantages of WisdomTHE ADVANTAGES OF WISDOM. Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us.…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 8:12-21Wisdom tells of her own excellence.Joseph S. Exell and contributors