Proverbs 8 – Wisdom Personified

By Michael Griego on November 21, 2025 • ( 0 )

Do you think of yourself as wise? Who in your life would you call wise? Have you seen this kind of wisdom in another person you admire? What is THIS wisdom all about? ♦

There’s a general consensus that wisdom goes beyond smarts and prowess with facts and figures. That’s knowledge and information which can be acquired through reading and studying. Good to have that as it helps in this world in life, work, and business.

But there’s got to be more to it, right?

What is wisdom, really? Are you wise? Who in your life would you call wise?

Proverbs 8 is all about wisdom, Godly wisdom. Written by King Solomon sometime during his reign over Jerusalem (970 to 931 BC). It speaks of wisdom, ironically on the heels of Proverbs 7, which highlights the foolishness of engaging with harlots.

The Call-out by Wisdom
In Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified, as in poetry. In this case, as a woman. It is not really known whether Solomon intended a feminine portrayal of wisdom or went with the feminine underpinnings of the word wisdom. Either way both men and women should see this as merely poetic license, not an overt statement about one gender or the other.

The proverb begins with a bold call-out to all, particularly the simple and foolish, to pay close attention and learn, as “I” (Wisdom) have something important to say, things that are trustworthy, right, and true:

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:

“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.” (Proverbs 8:1-7)

Beyond that, the words of Wisdom are just, straight, and not perverse. To any who is discerning and with knowledge, the words are right and provide guidance and instruction worth more than silver, gold, and precious stones such as rubies, diamonds, and jewels. There is actually no comparison.

“All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.” (Proverbs 8:8-11)

And even beyond that, Wisdom fears the Lord and hates all things evil, including bad behavior and perverse speech. Wisdom leads kings, rulers, princes and nobles. Wisdom loves and provides riches and honor and prosperity, and a rich inheritance for those that love Wisdom.

Figuratively speaking, this relationship with Wisdom sounds like our relationship with God/Jesus. Therefore, Wisdom yields goodness like God/Jesus.

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.” (Proverbs 8:12-21)

The Eternity of Wisdom
In truth, Wisdom is intimately tied to God/Jesus, having been with the Creator at the beginning. This is profound in that Wisdom is not just smarts, good insights and instincts. Wisdom flows from God. Wisdom is a characteristic of God. God is reflected in Godly Wisdom.

“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.

I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.” (Proverbs 8:22-31)

The Invitation to Wisdom
Therefore, everyone and anyone who is wise and seeks God, all should respond to the invitation laid out here in Proverbs 8. The secret to all of life is here: those who find Wisdom/God, find life and favor; those who don’t are at risk and are equated with those who hate God:

“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32-36)

Are you smart or are you wise, with Godly Wisdom? Do you seek and love God?
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“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.” – Proverbs 8:32

¹Why is wisdom referred to a she in Proverbs?, see Gotquestions.org for a fair treatment of this question.