Is Proverbs 8, with its use of "wisdom" referring to Jesus?
Question:
Is Proverbs 8 referring to Jesus?
Answer:
I have heard this interpretation. I do not believe it is true. The writer of Proverbs is using a figure of speech in which he personifies the trait "wisdom."
The group which wishes this passage is about Jesus is the Jehovah’s Witness, because they try to use this as a proof-text that Jesus is a created being. Specifically, they use 8:23, which has "Wisdom" (they say Jesus) saying, I was fashioned from eternity." This is truly a very weak argument!!!
A linguistic argument, in case you need one. In Proverbs 8:22, when the "speaker" says "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old." the word "me" is feminine in the Hebrew. This makes perfect sense if "Wisdom" is a personification of the wisdom of God, but it does not make sense if it is a reference to Jesus.
I suppose I cannot say with absolute bedrock certainty that "Wisdom" is not a metaphorical reference to Jesus, but I can say I believe it is extremely unlikely to be the case.
John Oakes
