Proverbs 8:31 kjv

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Proverbs 8:31 nkjv

Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

Proverbs 8:31 niv

rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

Proverbs 8:31 esv

rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

Proverbs 8:31 nlt

And how happy I was with the world he created;
how I rejoiced with the human family!

Proverbs 8 verses

Proverbs 8 31 Meaning

Proverbs 8:31 conveys that Wisdom, portrayed as active during creation, found profound joy and amusement in God's completed, inhabited world and expressed particular delight in humanity, the "sons of men." This illustrates God's inherent pleasure in His creation, especially mankind, signifying His relational nature and purpose from eternity past.

Proverbs 8 31 Context

Proverbs chapter 8 presents a powerful personification of Wisdom (Hebrew: Chokhmah) as a divine attribute that pre-exists creation. Throughout the chapter, Wisdom proclaims her own eternal nature, her role alongside God in the creation of the universe, and her indispensable value. Verses 22-31 specifically detail Wisdom's presence during God's initial acts of creation – from setting the heavens in place to fixing the foundations of the earth. In this grand cosmological discourse, Proverbs 8:31 is the culminating statement about Wisdom's joy. It highlights that even amidst the marvel of universal creation, there was a specific and unique delight that Wisdom, and by extension God Himself, took in the world destined for human habitation and, pre-eminently, in humanity itself. Historically and culturally, this affirmed Yahweh as the sole Creator, not a distant or indifferent deity, but one intimately involved and joyful in His relationship with His ultimate creation, man, contrasting with impersonal pagan cosmologies.

Proverbs 8 31 Word analysis

• Rejoicing (שָׂחַק - sakhak): This Hebrew word denotes a joyful, playful, or even laughing kind of delight. It implies a lively, exuberant, and free expression of happiness. In the context of divine Wisdom, it signifies not just a passive contentment but an active, joyous participation in the unfolding of creation.
• In his inhabited world (בְּתֵבֵל אַרְצוֹ - b'tevēl artzô):
  • In his (בְּ - b'): A preposition indicating location or presence within.
  • Inhabited world (תֵבֵל - tevēl): Refers specifically to the productive earth, the cultivable or habitable land. It distinguishes the ordered, productive part of creation from chaos or desolate regions. This implies a world specifically designed and prepared for life, particularly human life.
  • His earth (אַרְצוֹ - artzô): "His" (referring to God's) reinforces the idea that this world belongs to God and is subject to His design and sovereignty.
• And my delight (וְשַׁעֲשֻׁעַי - weshsha'ashu'ay):
  • And (וְ - wə): Connects this clause, indicating a continuation or further elaboration.
  • My delight (שַׁעֲשֻׁעַע - sha'ashua'): This noun expresses extreme pleasure, fond amusement, or even "plaything." It's an intense, joyful, and affectionate pleasure, mirroring the previous "rejoicing" but adding a nuance of affectionate preoccupation. It suggests Wisdom's focused and intimate pleasure regarding humanity.
• Was with (אֶת־בְּנֵי אָדָם - et-b'nê ādām):
  • Was with (אֶת־ - et-): A particle often indicating direct object, but here, with the sense of being "with" or "among." It points to presence, association, and relationality.
  • Sons of men (בְּנֵי אָדָם - b'nê ādām): Literally "sons of Adam" or "sons of mankind." This is a common Hebrew idiom for humanity in general, emphasizing their lineage from Adam and their shared human nature. This specifies that humanity was the focal point of Wisdom's supreme delight, indicating God's special relationship with mankind above other creations.

Word-groups by words-group analysis:

• "rejoicing in his inhabited world": This phrase highlights Wisdom's joyful affirmation of God's physical creation, particularly the world designed to sustain life. It signifies divine approval and active joy in the creation's design and purpose, distinct from any chaos or void.
• "and my delight was with the sons of men": This is a culminating statement that separates humanity as a unique source of Wisdom's deepest pleasure. It points to a profound and particular affection for mankind, suggesting humanity is the pinnacle of creation and the specific focus of divine intention and enjoyment. This foreshadows God's intimate relationship with people throughout history, ultimately culminating in Christ.

Proverbs 8 31 Bonus section

This verse carries significant theological weight by implying that humanity's creation was a joyful act for God, not a utilitarian one. It underlines the concept of imago Dei (image of God), as delighting in the creation of beings who bear His likeness makes sense. This passage subtly challenges any view of a distant or reluctant deity in creation; instead, it paints a picture of a God who enthusiastically enters into the act of creation, with humanity being the climax of His creative joy. The language used, particularly sakhak (rejoice/play) and sha'ashua (delight/amusement), suggests a dynamic, almost relational anticipation on the part of Wisdom concerning humanity, fostering hope and dignity for every person.

Proverbs 8 31 Commentary

Proverbs 8:31 is a profound statement revealing the heart of God regarding humanity and creation through the personification of Wisdom. It articulates not just God's power in creation, but His deep, joyful affection for the world He made and especially for mankind. Wisdom's "rejoicing" signifies a vibrant, playful joy in the very fabric of existence, while her "delight" in "the sons of men" reveals a singular, focused pleasure. This suggests that humanity was not an afterthought but a central purpose, even a joy, in the eternal divine plan. It speaks to the intrinsic dignity and value of every human being in God's eyes. Furthermore, Christian theology often identifies this personified Wisdom with the pre-incarnate Christ (the Logos), who delighted to be "with the sons of men" even before He "dwelt among us" (John 1:14), establishing a divine longing for fellowship with His creation. This verse, therefore, affirms God's benevolent character, His intentional creation, and His unique love for humankind from the very beginning.