Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
Parallel Translations
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Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
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Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
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Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
Cross-references (12)
Passages linked to Proverbs 8:14 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Ecclesiastes 7:19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
- Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 40:14 Who did he take counsel with, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?
- Romans 11:33-34 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
- Proverbs 2:6-7 For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
- Proverbs 24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
- Ecclesiastes 9:16-18 Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
- Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
- Colossians 2:3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
- John 1:9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God;
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (15 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I…
Pro 8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
Ver. 14. Counsel is mine, &c.] Christ is "wise in heart, and mighty in strength," {Job 9:4} his Church’s both counsellor {Isa 9:6} and champion; {Isa 37:23-24} and though she be but a "virgin daughter of Zion," yet she despiseth her adversary, and laughs him to scorn, {Pro 8:22} because she hath one that is in love with her, and will fight her quarrel, who is
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Aμφοτερος βασιλευς τ αγαθος, κρατερος τ αιχμητης. {a}
Hostibus haud tergo sed forti pectore notus. {b}
{a} De Achille Homerus.
{b} De Achille Catullus.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Sound wisdom: all solid, and substantial, and useful, yea…
Sound wisdom: all solid, and substantial, and useful, yea essential wisdom, is natural and essential to me, for the word properly signifies essence.
I am understanding, or, my nature and essence, as was now said. Or, I am the author of understanding; as Joh 17:3. This is life eternal, i.e. this is the cause or means of it. I have strength courage and resolution to execute all my counsels, and to conquer all difficulties.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom,.... The words and…
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom,.... The words and sentiments in this and the following clause are the same with those in Job 12:13; and scent to be taken from thence, which are spoken of God; and being here applied to Wisdom, show that a divine Person is meant; and are very applicable to him who the Wisdom of God, and the power of God; and on whom rests the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of counsel, and of might, and of the fear of the Lord, Co1 1:24. "Counsel" belongs to him, and is used and exercised by him, as concerned with the Father and Spirit, both in the words of nature and grace; to whom all the purposes and counsels of God are known; and who was consulted in the creation of man, and in his redemption, reconciliation, and salvation; the council of peace being between them both: and it belongs to him, and is used by him with respect to his people; he is council to them; he gives them counsel and advice, he being the wonderful Counsellor; he gave it in person when here on earth, both to sinners and to saints, and which continues on record: the Gospel is the counsel of Christ, and it is very suitable and seasonable, hearty, sincere, and faithful; is freely given, and, being taken, infallibly succeeds; see Rev 3:18. And he is council for them; he appears for them in court; introduces their persons, and presents their petitions to his Father; pleads their cause, is their advocate, answers to all charges and accusations; and calls for and requires, in point of law and justice, every blessing of goodness for them. "Sound wisdom" belongs to Christ; "wisdom", from whence he has his name in this book; "sound" wisdom, such as is solid and substantial, real and true, in opposition to the wisdom of the world, to knowledge falsely so called, to carnal, sensual, and earthly wisdom. The Gospel may be meant, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery; sound doctrine, a form of sound words, the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus: both grace and glory may be intended, which are both in the gift of Christ; grace is that "wisdom" which he makes his people to "know in the hidden part"; and glory is that "sound wisdom" laid up for the righteous, the better and more enduring substance in heaven. The word here used signifies essence or substance; and some render it, "whatsoever is" (d); whatever has a being, that is Christ's; all creatures are his, the earth and the fulness of it, and they that dwell therein;
I am understanding; essentially as a divine person; his understanding is infinite; there is no searching of it; it reaches to all persons and things: as Mediator, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding rests on him without measure, by which he was furnished for his prophetic office; as man, his understanding was amazing to all that knew him, and heard him. Christ not only has an understanding, but he is understanding itself; he is the fountain, author, and giver of understanding; of all the natural understanding there is in men; of the light of nature and reason, of those intellectual faculties which men are possessed of; and of all the spiritual understanding in divine things, which his people are partakers of, Jo1 5:20;
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I have strength; as the mighty God; which appears in his creation of all things out of nothing, in his upholding all things by his power, and in his government of the world. As Mediator, he has the Spirit of might upon him; all power in heaven and earth is given him; his strength is manifest in the salvation of his people, when he came travelling in the greatness of it to save them; by fulfilling the law for them; by bearing their sins, and the punishment due to them; and by destroying all their enemies: and in his plucking them out of the hands of Satan, out of the burning, out of the mire and clay at conversion; in bearing and supporting them under all their burdens, afflictions, and temptations, and in preserving them safe to his kingdom and glory; and in giving them strength in the mean time to bear the cross, to withstand temptations and corruptions, to exercise the graces of the spirit, and perform the duties of religion.
(d) "essentia", Montanus, Tigurine version; "quicquid est", Junius & Tremellius; "realitas", Michaelis; "soliditas", Schultens.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Wisdom - All solid and substantial and useful wisdom…
Wisdom - All solid and substantial and useful wisdom is assential to me.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 14. Counsel is mine] Direction how to act…
Verse 14. Counsel is mine] Direction how to act in all circumstances and on all occasions must come from wisdom: the foolish man can give no counsel, cannot show another how he is to act in the various changes and chances of life. The wise man alone can give this counsel; and he can give it only as continually receiving instruction from God: for this Divine wisdom can say, תושיה TUSHIYAH, substance, reality, essence, all belong to me: I am the Fountain whence all are derived. Man may be wise, and good, and prudent, and ingenious; but these he derives from me, and they are dependently in him. But in me all these are independently and essentially inherent.
And sound wisdom] See above. This is a totally false translation: תושיה tushiyah means essence, substance, reality; the source and substance of good. How ridiculous the support derived by certain authors from this translation in behalf of their system! See the writers on and quoters of Prov 8 (note).
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I have strength.] Speaking still of wisdom, as communicating rays of its light to man, it enables him to bring every thing to his aid; to construct machines by which one man can do the work of hundreds. From it comes all mathematical learning, all mechanical knowledge; from it originally came the inclined plane, the wedge, the screw, the pulley, in all its multiplications; and the lever, in all its combinations and varieties, came from this wisdom. And as all these can produce prodigies of power, far surpassing all kinds of animal energy, and all the effects of the utmost efforts of muscular force; hence the maxim of Lord Bacon, "Knowledge is power," built on the maxim of the tushiyah itself; לי גבורה li geburah, MINE IS STRENGTH.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Pro 8:14-15. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom —…
Pro 8:14-15. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom — Hebrew, ותושׁיה, and essence, that is, all solid, substantial, and useful wisdom is natural and essential to me. I am understanding — By my nature and essence. Or, I am the author of understanding. I have strength — Courage, resolution, and power, to execute all my counsels, and to conquer all difficulties. By me kings reign — They obtain their kingdoms by my appointment and providence; and if they rule their kingdoms wisely and justly, it is by my counsel and assistance. And princes decree justice — Their injustice or wickedness is from themselves, but all the just and good things which they do they owe to my guidance and aid. “All authority and power come from God; and all those who are established over others have received from the author of this wisdom all their superiority. Whether God gives a prince in his anger or in his mercy, it is he who hath established him; nor can they worthily exercise their power without the succours and assistance of wisdom. A prince may be a prince without having wisdom; but without it he can neither be a good nor a happy prince. Wisdom is the very first of royal qualities. The best and most excellent present which God can give to men, is a just and virtuous prince, and one like himself.” — Dodd.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain This counsel, as we have just hinted (See on…
This counsel, as we have just hinted (See on Pro 8:12 ), is not, as with man, the fruit of deliberation, but Divine intuition. It is not that it flows from him; but that he is himself the essence — the fountainhead. (Isa 40:13-14 . Rom 11:34 .) it is not that he hath understanding to order and govern the world. But he is understanding. All is in him. All is derivable from him. (Joh 1:9 .) "His understanding is infinite; his strength Almighty, everlasting." (Psa 147:5 . Isa 40:28 ; Isa 26:4 .) Thus we adore him — we rest in him — as the great "Counsellor" (Isa 9:6 ); One with his Father in the everlasting plan of salvation (Zec 6:12-13 ); One with his Church, undertaking her cause (Zec 3:1 ), guiding her in all her difficulties and perplexities. (Isa 63:9-14 .) His self-existent power is ever ready to execute the purpose of his counsel. (Isa 63:1-6 . Psa 89:19 . Job 9:4 ; Job 12:13, Job 12:16 . Dan 2:20 .) Behold him then, surrounded with the majesty of his mighty perfections — "Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (1Co 1:24 .) In all thy doubts and anxieties — counsel is mine, and sound wisdom. (Isa 48:17 .) In all thy conflicts and weariness — I have strength. (Isa 40:28-29 .) See him as man filled with these Divine perfections. (Isa 11:2 .) Remember -- -his fullness is thy portion. (1Co 1:30 . Col 2:10 .)
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain It also gives the elements of good character in…
It also gives the elements of good character in counsel.
sound wisdom-- (Pro 2:7).
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I . . . strength--or, "As for me, understanding is strength to me," the source of power (Ecc 9:16); good judgment gives more efficiency to actions;
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 14. Counsel is mine, etc. — It is doubtful…
14. Counsel is mine, etc. — It is doubtful whether this rendering gives the precise idea of the original. Perhaps the following more nearly expresses it: Stability and reality belong to me; that is, I teach that which is durable and real. The latter clause Stuart renders: “As for me, my might is understanding;” that is, with me understanding is strength: Bacon’s maxim, “Knowledge is power.” This is, probably, introductory to what follows.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 14. sound wisdom] So the same word is rendered…
14. sound wisdom] So the same word is rendered both by A.V. and R.V. in Pro_2:7. Here, however, R.V. renders sound knowledge, and in marg. offers the alternative, effectual working.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (14) Sound wisdom.—See above on Pro_2:7.
(14) Sound wisdom.—See above on Pro_2:7.
Strength.—Comp. Ecc_7:19. For these various gifts of wisdom, comp. Isa_11:2.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Having said what she hates, Wisdom now says what…
Having said what she hates, Wisdom now says what she is, and what she can bestow on her followers. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom. There is some doubt about the meaning of the word translated "sound wisdom" (tushiyyah ). The Vulgate has aequitas; the Septuagint, asfaleia , "safety." The word occurs elsewhere in this book and in Job, but only in two other places of Scripture, viz. Isa_28:29 and Mic_6:9. It means properly "elevation" or "furtherance," or, as others say, "substance;" and then that which is essentially good end useful, which may be wisdom, aid, or security. (see on Pro_2:7) Wisdom affirms that she possesses counsel and all that can help forward righteousness; see Job_12:13, Job_12:16, passages very similar to the present. (comp. RAPC Wis 8:9, etc.) I am understanding. Wisdom does not merely possess these attributes; they are her very nature, as it is said, "God is love" St. Jerome"s mea est prudentia, and the LXX"s emh fronhsiv , lose this trait. I have strength. Wisdom directs the energies and powers of her pupils, which without her control would be spent wrongly or uselessly. (comp. Ecc_7:19) Wisdom, understanding, and might are named among the seven gifts of the Spirit in Isa_11:2; and we may see in the passage generally an adumbration of him who is called "Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God". (Isa_9:6)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain I have understanding; I have strength.
Pro_8:14
I have understanding; I have strength.
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The self-assertion of Christ
Here is more than a florid personification of wisdom. It is the Word who is from everlasting--Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
I. The self-assertion of Christ. Exhibited in three ways.
1. Christ claims a boundless power of satisfying human wants.
2. Christ claims for Himself the most transcendent ideals.
3. Christ claims the possession of absolute truth, by the very form and mode, as well as by the substance, of His teaching.
II. The bearing of that self-assertion on certain difficulties of our day. Take the tone of much of the record in the Old Testament.
1. The Old Testament is a progressive system. Then much of it must be imperfect.
2. The Old Testament contains the pathology and diagnosis of sin. In meeting the difficulties of the Old Testament, the self-assertion of the Amen is our stay. He who spake the words given in Mat_5:17-18, knew the Old Testament. We talk of the extermination of the Canaanites. Are we gentler than He? We are offended by the polygamy of the patriarchs. Can we survey marriage with a purer gaze than that of the virgin eye which is also the eye of God? We take the book as it is from the hand of Him who says, I am understanding.
3. Take the general sources of unbelief and their salient characteristics. The source of unbelief is not always genuine thought, it is often feebleness of character and moral enervation. The secret of strength is to believe in Him who says, I have strength. (Abp. W. Alexander.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Pro_8:14-16
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Pro_8:14-16
THE SOURCE OF TRUE POWER
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I. Moral wisdom is the strength of kings. “I have strength; by me kings rule.” There is a kind of strength in all wisdom. The serpent’s strength is in his subtlety. The strength of the kingdom of darkness consists in a kind of wisdom of which our Lord speaks, when He says, “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Luk_16:8). Many kingdoms have been founded and governed upon the basis of merely human sagacity. But in all such government there are elements of weakness. The foundation of all lasting, true government is to be found only in moral wisdom, in other words, in holiness. That king or ruler will in the long-run have the firmest hold upon his subjects who is himself ruled by Divine wisdom. His strength will be found in the fact, that he rules himself before he attempts to rule others. His personal character will be his chief strength. Christ Himself is strong to rule, because He is pre-eminently the “Holy One.”
II. Without moral wisdom there can be no righteous government. “By me princes decree justice.” A man’s laws will be the outcome of his character. He will not make righteous laws unless he has himself submitted to moral rule. We are assured that all God’s decrees in relation to all His creatures are righteous, because we know Him to be altogether righteous. He has been declared by Him who knows Him best to be the “righteous Father” (Joh_17:25), therefore we know that only righteous laws can be decreed by Him. And it is only in proportion as rulers are influenced by Him, and partake of His character, that they rule in righteousness.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Pro_8:14. Wisdom’s life is a thing of system. It has an assured result. It is the card-building of the spirit. One card supports another. It builds out with a declared dependence to the very end.—Miller.
The Son of God is a counsellor, as Isaiah calleth Him; for He is both of the privy council of His Father, and the adviser of His Church. Moreover, He hath strength in Him, being the arm of God to conquer sin, with hell and Satan, and is able to do whatsoever He will. Substance (sound wisdom, see Critical Notes), or the being of things, is likewise His, for He causeth all creatures to be and subsist.—Muffet.
Direction how to act in all circumstances and on all occasions must come from wisdom: the foolish man can give no counsel, cannot show another how he is to act in the various changes and chances of life. The wise man alone can give this counsel, and he can give it only as continually receiving instruction from God: for this Divine Wisdom can say, substance, reality, essence, (see Critical Notes on Sound Wisdom), all belong to me: I am the fountain whence all are derived. Man may be wise, and good, and prudent, and ingenious; but these he derives from me, and they are dependently in him. But in me all these are independently and essentially inherent.—Adam Clarke.
Many things are done, but not having counsel for the foundation of them, are weak and rotten and fall again to nothing. Many have understanding what is to be done, and how to do it, but have not strength to effect it: again many have strength of effecting, but have not understanding how to go about it. But the eternal wisdom hath all. It is no strength which by His strength is not supported, no understanding which by His understanding is not enlightened, no counsel which by His counsel is not guided.—Jermin.
“Knowledge is power,” and knowledge in union with wisdom—the ability to use knowledge aright—multiplies the power. In proportion as there is “understanding” and “wisdom,” is there “strength”—moral and spiritual strength—strength to act and to suffer, to do and to bear.—Wardlaw.
Pro_8:15-16. The chief monarchs of the world come unto their sceptres by the power and permission of the Son of God. Lawgivers and counsellors, by His direction and inspiration, give advice and invent politic laws. Inferior rulers keep their places, countenance, and authority by His assistance, whereunto they also rise by His secret disposing of matters. Finally, judges and justices who use to keep courts and sit on benches, do by Him, from Him, and for Him, pronounce sentence, handle matters of state, execute laws, and finally determine all cases.—Muffet.
Here is a divine prophecy concerning Him who said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Mat_23:18), and who has “on His head many crowns” (Rev_19:12), and “on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Rev_19:16), and of whom it is written, “that by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Col_1:16-17).—Wordsworth.
Kings are kings only as they are wise, that is, wise in the sense of holiness. It does not mean holiness as altogether distinct from virtue, but holiness as that moral right which belongs to all ranks of moral intelligences. The virtue that belongs to God, and the virtue that belongs to Gabriel, and the virtue that remains in man, and the virtue that is wrecked in hell, are not all different qualities of moral right, but are all identically the same. One moral quality inheres in all. Government being a moral work, the man that governs must have a moral heart. And, as there are no two sorts of virtue, he truly exercises his kingship just in proportion as he is holy, i.e., in the language of this inspired book, just in proportion as he is spiritually wise.—Miller.
Every kingdom is a province of the universal empire of the “King of Kings.” Men may mix their own pride, folly, and self-will with this appointment. But God’s providential counter-working preserves the substantial blessing.—Bridges.
This language may be considered as implying
(1) that human government, in all its branches, is the appointment of Divine Wisdom
2. That all who sustain positions of authority and power should act habitually under the influence of Divine Wisdom
3. That no authority can be rightly exercised, and no judicial process successfully carried out, without the direction of Wisdom
4. That Divine wisdom exercises control over all human agents in the administration of public affairs.—Wardlaw.
“By me kings reign,” not as if men did behold that book, and accordingly frame their laws, but because it worketh in them when the laws which they make are righteous.—Hooker.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 good advice
good advice
"wise suggestions"
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advice
counsel that is given to help someone
sound
good, reliable
I am insight
Here Wisdom is spoken of as if she were insight. AT: "I have insight" (See: Personification)
nobles
noblemen, leading members of important families in the nation
translationWords
king
reign
rule
prince
govern
just
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.