Proverbs 8:7-10 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

For my mouth shall speak truth Hebrew, יהגה, shall meditate, that is, shall speak, not rashly and hastily, but what I have well considered and digested. Wickedness is an abomination, &c. I hate to speak it; therefore you may be assured I shall not deceive you. All the words of my mouth All my precepts, promises, threatenings; are in righteousness Are perfectly just and holy, and conformable to the rules of everlasting righteousness. There is nothing froward or perverse, &c. Not the least mixture of vanity, or error, or folly in them, as there is in the words of the wisest philosophers. They are all plain Evident and clear, or right, just, and good; to him that understandeth To him who, with an honest mind, applies himself to the study of them, in the diligent use of all the means appointed by God to that end: or to him whose mind God hath enlightened by his Spirit, though they seem otherwise to ignorant and carnal men; to them that find knowledge That are truly wise and discerning persons, and taught of God. Receive my instruction, and not silver Rather than silver, that is, preferably to silver: or, the meaning may be, “Give not your heart to money, if you would possess wisdom.” For he seems to intimate the inconsistency of these two studies and designs, and the great hinderance which the love of riches gives to the study of wisdom. Indeed, it is impossible to join these two things together, the love of the world and the love of God, which is here implied in the love of wisdom.

Proverbs 8:7-10

7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickednessa is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing frowardb or perverse in them.

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.