Hello Michaelantoni. The Hebrew word given for 'witty inventions', is as you've shown, 'mezzimah'. In your study, you would have also found out how that word is used in the other verses. In Proverbs 8:12 that you shared, this Hebrew word implies 'one's power to devise or show discretion'. Hence, the verse could read, 'I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge through the use of discretion.' Or further with that verse, 'I wisdom enjoy good sense, acquiring knowledge by the use of discretion'. And we see the same word, 'mezzimah', with its specific meaning used in Proverbs 1:4, Proverbs 2:11, Proverbs 3:21 & Proverbs 5:2.
And yes, we can see that word being applied towards 'thoughts' ( Jeremiah 23:20); 'intents' ( Jeremiah 30:24); 'device/plan' ( Jeremiah 51:11). And then we see it in 'evil thoughts' ( Psalm 10:4); 'evil schemes' ( Job 21:27); 'lewd/wicked acts' ( Jeremiah 11:15); wicked speech ( Psalm 139:20).
So to understand 'mezzimah', which meaning can be quite diverse, we need to read it as the verse gives it, in its correct context. So 'discretion or one's power to devise' appears to be the primary meaning of 'mezzimah', but how that word is used will give other associated meanings, i.e. whether one's mind works for that which is good & wholesome, or towards evil thoughts & acts. So, I believe we find an agreement here.
Understanding scripture is as important as remembering scripture. Please remember that our means are the same as Jesus in the wilderness when confronted with the devil. Jesus said, " It is written " than proceeded to quote scripture. In this Jesus pointed to His Father, and He reminds us to receive life, don't temp, and worship GOD.
Keep reading and planting the Word of God in yourself. This Word will work in ways that we all hoped for, as believers. Also please keep in mind that in doing so life will change, it might seem for the worse, but that is only a way of you knowing His Word is working.
It's a narrow road and few find it is worth walking. GOD'S richness to you.
That would be a tall order to fill Sharmine - to give a full explanation of Proverbs chapters 1 & 2. But I'll share an outline for you that might be a little useful.
Proverbs 1:1. Clearly, King Solomon is the major Author/contributor. And the meaning of Proverbs: these are the sayings taken from everyday life & intended to serve as practical guidelines for 'successful' living.
Proverbs 1:2-6. Its Purpose is that the reader might know wisdom & allow it to govern his/her life.
Proverbs 1:7. The Theme of the book is that the fear (deep reverence) of the LORD is the starting point and essence of wisdom (and Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge that comes through a right relationship with God).
Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 9:18. Show the Precepts of Wisdom (rules to be followed).
a. 1:8-19 (avoid bad company).
b. 1:20-33 (to heed Wisdom's advice; wisdom personified as a woman inviting all to come to her & learn).
c. 2:1-22 (the master teacher describes the joyful results of pursuing & acquiring Wisdom: Wisdom is God-given (vv6,7) & is beneficial as it delivers one from the ways of evil men (vv10-15), from the arms of the adulteress (vv 16-19), and preserves one's life & character (vv 20-22).
Hopefully, this broad outline will help you read & learn these chapters' contents & the reason for their writing.
Many theologists have the belief that that "wisdom" mentioned in Proverbs is Jesus Christ personally. Why do they think that? Because of verses like in 1 Cor 1:23-24 or 1 Cor 1:30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption". They take those verses literally. Is this right? Many opinions. Mine is no it isn't. In the previous verses what Paul says is that through Jesus God's wisdom was revealed to people, not that He is the Wisdom Himself. It was Jesus who revealed God's truth to people, he revealed the mysterious plan of God to save mankind. God's wisdom can not be explored by people, many believe it is "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness" (verse 18), but it really is " but unto us which are saved it is the power of God".
Going back to Proverbs God's wisdom takes a human nature and talks like a man. It was something that even todays writters do, they personify things, to make a stronger impression. Paul does that when he personifies sin in Romans, or when he talks about Death and Hell(Hades) in Corinthians. Besides that, wisdom in Proverbs is described as a woman not as a man, since in Hebrew this word is of feminine gender, like in Proverbs 2:4. In Hebrew "am-thbqshNE kksph ukmtmunim thchphshNE". In English "if you are seekingHER as the silver and as the buried treasures you are searching for HER"
Proverbs is a great book to get wisdom. But it does take a little effort. Proverbs 2:2 tells us to apply our heart to understanding. So we need to read and meditate on God's word to gain wisdom and understanding.
Wisdom is personified as a woman in Proverbs 1:20-21; 2:2-4; 3:14-18; 4:7-8; 8:1-36 and 9:1-12. Each time wisdom speaks. The first time wisdom speaks is in Proverbs 1:20-21.
Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: Proverbs 1:20-21 (NASB)
The Hebrew word for wisdom is hakmot and this noun is a feminine plural. A literal reading would seem to be "Wisdom shouts in the street," except that the second line is in the singular - "she lifts her voice." F. C. Cook writes,
In the Hebrew the noun is a feminine plural . . . as though this Wisdom were the queen of all wisdoms, uniting in herself all their excellences.[1]
That is, since Proverbs 2:6 says that God gives wisdom, the wisdom in Proverbs is the queen of all wisdoms. There is no greater wisdom.
comment: I don't think proverbs 31 means wisdom is a heavenly female creature. My opinion. It is the way Solomon (had 900 wives;300 concubines) described wisdom. Possibly Jewish literature would address this?
These scriptures are not as well known as Psalm 23; but they offer assurance that you will see your loved ones again. Hold fast to Jesus. Follow Him.
Proverbs 2:8
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Psalms 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Jude 1:24-25
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and EVER. Amen.
2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able TO KEEP that which I have committed unto him [the soul] against That day. [the day of death]
Thanks so much!!! I didn't know those even existed. Past few years I've found deeper meaning to: Proverbs 2:4 , Matthew 13:44 Please excuse my interruption.
This Proverb has all three knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. In the sequence of applying God's Word first we must have righteous knowledge. Along with that knowledge we must know what to do with the knowledge... wisdom. Finally, when we act, we receive understanding. So as we act upon the knowledge with correct wisdom, we gain understanding. God bless
This may actually be the differences in calendar years. I have recently been learning the differences in calendars. Todays USA calendar is different from the Jewish calendar, & even the Jewish calendar is different than originally. Hopefully that's helpful.
That's very true, Jerome. Whenever you see the name of God or LORD & when read in Hebrew as Yahweh, we know that it speaks of the True & Living God of Israel. Sometimes, God or Lord can be used in the Bible in other forms & with other meanings, but Yahweh, or Jehovah, will always refer to the One True God & noone else.
Here are three examples: Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 16:21 and 33:2.
Hello, the way I understand the Godhead and the 3 in 1, comes from a different angle. Remember we are crafter like Him let's look at Gods Body:(I understand He's Omni-all)
Here we see it says the fullness of what makes up God the Creator dwelled in the Lord Jesus Christ- Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Isa9:6 is very telling, look at all the names of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor (Holy Ghost), The mighty God, The everlasting Father (Also the Father), The Prince of Peace.
Counselor -
The everlasting Father
The mighty God
We see from scripture, unless I missed a spot but there is only 1 image of God, The Lord Jesus Christ
Col 1:15, 2cor 4:4
We humans are made in his Image AND Likeness.
What does this mean? Image-Body/Spirit Likeness-Character, Emotions, The soul.
It even says we have the 3 and they are 1 yet we are not 3 people.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isa 9:6 says speaks of the Lords Spirit when it mentions He will be called Wonderful, Counselor
What about the soul? The Father? Jesus mentions His (The Father)"shape" being unknown
John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
Col 1:15 calls Him "Invisible" Yet He is one with the Word made flesh, The Son
We are made in His Image and likeness, body soul and spirit
His Glory/Image/Majesty is displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ of whom is the
"Body" of God- Col 2:9,2 Cor 4:4, Col 1:15
Even the Lord Jesus Himself tells you unless He Himself is Being praised, Not the Father, nor the Spirit but HIM they are false look at what Joh 16:13,14 says about the Spirit of Truth.
Michael, You err. God, the Creator is not a substance, not sub anything, but rather, all material things are made by him. In the beginning was the Word. God expresses himself in love at every instance, and instances exist only because he does. If you truly believe what you say, your god is too small.
The word Spirit, is often misunderstood. Anything that is alive is made of Physical matter.
If there is no physical matter, it does not exist.
Humans can only see 10% of whats around them. All of Gods Holy family,including him are 100% physical.
They are not made of iron ore Earth as a human. Iron ore flesh can only see iron ore matter.
Couple things of many,to remember, it says "you may have entertained a angel".or when God appeared in physical form with Abraham,or when Moses saw his back.when God says 'I will do this with my mighty arm',he isn't kiddin
God is 'Omnipotent'.That means there isn't Anything he cant do.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. ( Psalm 111:10)
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. ( Proverbs 2:6)
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. ( Proverbs 15:33)
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ( 1 Corinthians 1:24)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ( 1 Corinthians 1:30)
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. ( 1 Corinthians 3:19)
And yes, we can see that word being applied towards 'thoughts' ( Jeremiah 23:20); 'intents' ( Jeremiah 30:24); 'device/plan' ( Jeremiah 51:11). And then we see it in 'evil thoughts' ( Psalm 10:4); 'evil schemes' ( Job 21:27); 'lewd/wicked acts' ( Jeremiah 11:15); wicked speech ( Psalm 139:20).
So to understand 'mezzimah', which meaning can be quite diverse, we need to read it as the verse gives it, in its correct context. So 'discretion or one's power to devise' appears to be the primary meaning of 'mezzimah', but how that word is used will give other associated meanings, i.e. whether one's mind works for that which is good & wholesome, or towards evil thoughts & acts. So, I believe we find an agreement here.
Keep reading and planting the Word of God in yourself. This Word will work in ways that we all hoped for, as believers. Also please keep in mind that in doing so life will change, it might seem for the worse, but that is only a way of you knowing His Word is working.
It's a narrow road and few find it is worth walking. GOD'S richness to you.
DDD
Proverbs 1:1. Clearly, King Solomon is the major Author/contributor. And the meaning of Proverbs: these are the sayings taken from everyday life & intended to serve as practical guidelines for 'successful' living.
Proverbs 1:2-6. Its Purpose is that the reader might know wisdom & allow it to govern his/her life.
Proverbs 1:7. The Theme of the book is that the fear (deep reverence) of the LORD is the starting point and essence of wisdom (and Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge that comes through a right relationship with God).
Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 9:18. Show the Precepts of Wisdom (rules to be followed).
a. 1:8-19 (avoid bad company).
b. 1:20-33 (to heed Wisdom's advice; wisdom personified as a woman inviting all to come to her & learn).
c. 2:1-22 (the master teacher describes the joyful results of pursuing & acquiring Wisdom: Wisdom is God-given (vv6,7) & is beneficial as it delivers one from the ways of evil men (vv10-15), from the arms of the adulteress (vv 16-19), and preserves one's life & character (vv 20-22).
Hopefully, this broad outline will help you read & learn these chapters' contents & the reason for their writing.
Many theologists have the belief that that "wisdom" mentioned in Proverbs is Jesus Christ personally. Why do they think that? Because of verses like in 1 Cor 1:23-24 or 1 Cor 1:30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption". They take those verses literally. Is this right? Many opinions. Mine is no it isn't. In the previous verses what Paul says is that through Jesus God's wisdom was revealed to people, not that He is the Wisdom Himself. It was Jesus who revealed God's truth to people, he revealed the mysterious plan of God to save mankind. God's wisdom can not be explored by people, many believe it is "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness" (verse 18), but it really is " but unto us which are saved it is the power of God".
Going back to Proverbs God's wisdom takes a human nature and talks like a man. It was something that even todays writters do, they personify things, to make a stronger impression. Paul does that when he personifies sin in Romans, or when he talks about Death and Hell(Hades) in Corinthians. Besides that, wisdom in Proverbs is described as a woman not as a man, since in Hebrew this word is of feminine gender, like in Proverbs 2:4. In Hebrew "am-thbqshNE kksph ukmtmunim thchphshNE". In English "if you are seekingHER as the silver and as the buried treasures you are searching for HER"
GBU
Deuteronomy 4:6, 1Kings 3:5-15,28, 2Chronicles 1:10-12, 1Kings 4:29,30,34, 1Kings 10,
Psalms 37:30, Psalms 49:3, Psalms 51:6, Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 1:1-7, Proverbs 2:6-10, Proverbs 8,
Hopefully these are helpful
Proverbs 2:5
"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."
Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: Proverbs 1:20-21 (NASB)
The Hebrew word for wisdom is hakmot and this noun is a feminine plural. A literal reading would seem to be "Wisdom shouts in the street," except that the second line is in the singular - "she lifts her voice." F. C. Cook writes,
In the Hebrew the noun is a feminine plural . . . as though this Wisdom were the queen of all wisdoms, uniting in herself all their excellences.[1]
That is, since Proverbs 2:6 says that God gives wisdom, the wisdom in Proverbs is the queen of all wisdoms. There is no greater wisdom.
comment: I don't think proverbs 31 means wisdom is a heavenly female creature. My opinion. It is the way Solomon (had 900 wives;300 concubines) described wisdom. Possibly Jewish literature would address this?
I don't know.
Proverbs 2:8
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Psalms 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Jude 1:24-25
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and EVER. Amen.
2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able TO KEEP that which I have committed unto him [the soul] against That day. [the day of death]
Pencil these in a bare page in your Bible.
Proverbs 25:2
Proverbs 2:4
Matthew 13:11
I say God is Omnipotent,there is nothing he cant do,and you claim my God is to small...
Your about,a,million and a half miles from understanding anything that was said there
go back to face book, this is a Bible sight.
Here are three examples: Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 16:21 and 33:2.
Yes Yahweh is God.
who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, ESV
They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. NLT
Here we see it says the fullness of what makes up God the Creator dwelled in the Lord Jesus Christ- Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Isa9:6 is very telling, look at all the names of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor (Holy Ghost), The mighty God, The everlasting Father (Also the Father), The Prince of Peace.
Counselor -
The everlasting Father
The mighty God
We see from scripture, unless I missed a spot but there is only 1 image of God, The Lord Jesus Christ
Col 1:15, 2cor 4:4
We humans are made in his Image AND Likeness.
What does this mean? Image-Body/Spirit Likeness-Character, Emotions, The soul.
It even says we have the 3 and they are 1 yet we are not 3 people.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isa 9:6 says speaks of the Lords Spirit when it mentions He will be called Wonderful, Counselor
What about the soul? The Father? Jesus mentions His (The Father)"shape" being unknown
John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
Col 1:15 calls Him "Invisible" Yet He is one with the Word made flesh, The Son
We are made in His Image and likeness, body soul and spirit
His Glory/Image/Majesty is displayed in the Lord Jesus Christ of whom is the
"Body" of God- Col 2:9,2 Cor 4:4, Col 1:15
Even the Lord Jesus Himself tells you unless He Himself is Being praised, Not the Father, nor the Spirit but HIM they are false look at what Joh 16:13,14 says about the Spirit of Truth.
If there is no physical matter, it does not exist.
Humans can only see 10% of whats around them. All of Gods Holy family,including him are 100% physical.
They are not made of iron ore Earth as a human. Iron ore flesh can only see iron ore matter.
Couple things of many,to remember, it says "you may have entertained a angel".or when God appeared in physical form with Abraham,or when Moses saw his back.when God says 'I will do this with my mighty arm',he isn't kiddin
God is 'Omnipotent'.That means there isn't Anything he cant do.
including iron ore form of His Son
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. ( Proverbs 2:6)
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. ( Proverbs 15:33)
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. ( 1 Corinthians 1:24)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ( 1 Corinthians 1:30)
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. ( 1 Corinthians 3:19)