Proverbs 8:25

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

Before the mountains {H2022} were settled {H2883}, before {H6440} the hills {H1389} was I brought forth {H2342}:

I was brought forth before the hills, before the mountains had settled in place;

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth;

Proverbs 8:25 is a profound declaration from the personified figure of Wisdom, emphasizing her ancient and pre-existent nature before the physical world was fully formed. This verse, part of a larger soliloquy by Wisdom in Proverbs chapter 8, highlights her foundational role in creation and her eternal presence with God.

Context

This verse is situated within Proverbs 8:22-31, where Wisdom speaks of her origins and her participation in the divine act of creation. She describes herself as being "brought forth" or "established" long before the earth's features, like mountains and hills, were settled into place. This passage sets Wisdom apart from created things, asserting her pre-existence alongside God, the Creator. It paints a picture of a universe designed and ordered by divine wisdom, not by chance.

Key Themes

  • The Pre-existence of Wisdom: The primary message is that Wisdom existed before the physical universe. The imagery of mountains and hills, symbols of ancient and enduring geological features, serves to underscore just how ancient and fundamental Wisdom is. She is not a product of creation but a co-eternal principle with God.
  • Wisdom's Role in Creation: While not explicitly stated as a co-creator here, the passage implies Wisdom's active presence and delight in the creative process (Proverbs 8:30). This highlights that the universe operates according to an intelligent, wise design.
  • Christological Interpretation: Many Christian theologians interpret personified Wisdom in Proverbs 8 as a prophetic foreshadowing or type of Jesus Christ. The New Testament identifies Christ as the Logos or Word of God, who was with God in the beginning and through whom all things were made (John 1:3). He is also called the "firstborn of every creature" in Colossians 1:15, signifying His preeminence and pre-existence, not that He was a created being.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "was I brought forth" comes from the Hebrew word ḥûl (חול), which can mean to writhe, travail, bring forth, or be born. In this context, it signifies a divine, eternal procession or establishment, emphasizing Wisdom's timeless origin rather than a temporal birth. It suggests an emanation or being established from eternity, not a created beginning in time. The term "settled" (Hebrew: tuqqan, תקן) indicates that the mountains and hills were firmly established and prepared, highlighting the contrast between their temporal formation and Wisdom's eternal existence.

Practical Application

Proverbs 8:25 encourages believers to recognize the profound and eternal nature of God's wisdom. Since wisdom existed before all creation, it is the ultimate source of order, meaning, and truth in the universe. For us, this means:

  • Trusting in God's Design: Understanding that the world was formed by divine wisdom provides a stable foundation for faith, assuring us that life is not random but part of an intelligent, purposeful plan.
  • Seeking True Wisdom: It calls us to pursue this eternal wisdom, which is ultimately found in God and, for Christians, fully embodied in Jesus Christ. This wisdom offers guidance for navigating life's complexities and making choices that align with God's eternal purposes.
  • Appreciating God's Sovereignty: The verse underlines God's immense power and foresight, having established the very foundations of the earth with perfect wisdom.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 90:2

    Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

  • Job 38:4

    ¶ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

  • Job 38:11

    And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

  • Psalms 102:25

    Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands.

  • Psalms 102:28

    The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.

  • Job 15:7

    [Art] thou the first man [that] was born? or wast thou made before the hills?

  • Job 15:8

    Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

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