Proverbs 3:19

The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

The LORD {H3068} by wisdom {H2451} hath founded {H3245} the earth {H776}; by understanding {H8394} hath he established {H3559} the heavens {H8064}.

ADONAI by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens,

The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.

Commentary

Proverbs 3:19 declares the foundational role of divine wisdom and understanding in the creation and establishment of the universe. This verse elevates wisdom beyond mere human cleverness, presenting it as an intrinsic attribute of God Himself, through which the cosmos was intricately designed and brought into being.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader passage in Proverbs 3 (verses 13-26) that extols the immense value and benefits of acquiring wisdom. The preceding verses highlight how wisdom brings blessings, long life, riches, honor, pleasantness, and peace. By stating that the LORD Himself used wisdom to create the earth and heavens, the text underscores wisdom's ultimate origin and supreme importance. It suggests that the wisdom God offers humanity is a participation in the very quality that underpins the universe's existence and order.

Key Themes

  • Divine Architect of Creation: The verse firmly establishes God as the sovereign Creator, not through arbitrary power, but through intelligent design rooted in perfect wisdom and understanding. The intricate order of the natural world points directly to its divine origin.
  • The Nature of Wisdom: Here, wisdom (chokmah) and understanding (tevunah) are presented as active, creative forces. They are not abstract concepts but attributes of God that manifest in the tangible reality of the universe. This aligns with the concept of wisdom being present with God at creation, as personified in Proverbs 8.
  • Order and Stability: The terms "founded" and "established" imply permanence, structure, and cosmic order. The universe is not a product of chaos or chance but a testament to God's deliberate and well-ordered plan.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wisdom" is chokmah (ื—ึธื›ึฐืžึธื”), which encompasses not just intellectual knowledge but also practical skill, shrewdness, and moral discernment. "Understanding" is tevunah (ืชึฐึผื‘ื•ึผื ึธื”), often paired with *chokmah*, signifying discernment, insight, and the ability to grasp the inner workings of things. Together, they describe God's comprehensive and profound intelligence in bringing the world into being and maintaining its intricate systems.

Practical Application

Proverbs 3:19 offers several profound implications for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Design: Knowing that the universe was founded and established by divine wisdom provides a powerful foundation for trust. Even when life seems chaotic, we can rest in the knowledge that God operates with ultimate purpose and intelligence.
  • Value of Wisdom: If God Himself used wisdom to create, it highlights the immense value we should place on seeking and applying wisdom in our own lives. Our pursuit of wisdom is a pursuit of God's character.
  • Awe and Worship: This verse inspires awe at God's magnificent power and intelligence. Reflecting on the vastness and complexity of the heavens and earth, we are drawn to worship the One who created them with such profound wisdom. This echoes the New Testament's teaching that all things were created by and through Christ, the very wisdom of God.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 104:24 (12 votes)

    O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

  • Jeremiah 10:12 (10 votes)

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

  • John 1:3 (7 votes)

    All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

  • Jeremiah 51:15 (7 votes)

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

  • Psalms 136:5 (6 votes)

    To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Proverbs 8:27 (6 votes)

    When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

  • Proverbs 8:29 (6 votes)

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