Proverbs 8:15
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
By me
This phrase refers to the personification of wisdom, which is a central theme in Proverbs 8. In the Hebrew text, the word for wisdom is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which is often depicted as a divine attribute or even a pre-incarnate Christ in Christian theology. The phrase "By me" emphasizes that wisdom is the source and foundation of all righteous authority and governance. It suggests that true leadership and governance are grounded in divine wisdom, which is available to those who seek it earnestly.

kings reign
The term "kings" in Hebrew is "מְלָכִים" (melachim), referring to those who hold sovereign power. In ancient Israel, kings were seen as God's appointed leaders, responsible for upholding justice and righteousness. The phrase "kings reign" implies that their authority is legitimate and effective only when it is exercised in accordance with divine wisdom. Historically, this reflects the belief that God is the ultimate source of authority, and earthly rulers are His instruments to maintain order and justice.

and rulers
The Hebrew word for "rulers" is "רוֹזְנִים" (rozenim), which can also be translated as princes or leaders. This term broadens the scope from kings to include all those in positions of authority. It underscores the idea that wisdom is not just for monarchs but for anyone who holds power and responsibility. In a broader sense, it suggests that all leaders, regardless of their rank, are called to govern with wisdom and integrity.

enact just laws
The phrase "enact just laws" is derived from the Hebrew "יְחֹקְקוּ צֶדֶק" (yechokku tzedek), where "חֹקְקוּ" (chokku) means to decree or legislate, and "צֶדֶק" (tzedek) means righteousness or justice. This highlights the role of rulers as lawmakers who are expected to create and uphold laws that reflect God's justice. The historical context of ancient Israel placed a strong emphasis on justice as a reflection of God's character, and this phrase reinforces the idea that human laws should mirror divine justice. It serves as a reminder that true justice is rooted in wisdom and that leaders are accountable to God for the laws they establish.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wisdom
In Proverbs 8, Wisdom is personified and speaks as a character. Wisdom is portrayed as a divine attribute that guides and empowers leaders.

2. Kings
Refers to monarchs or leaders who hold authority over a nation or people. In the context of Proverbs, kings are those who should seek wisdom to rule justly.

3. Rulers
These are individuals in positions of authority, such as governors or officials, who are responsible for enacting laws and maintaining justice.

4. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was a king known for his wisdom, which he received from God.

5. Israel
The nation to which Solomon belonged, often seen as a model for how a nation should seek divine wisdom in governance.
Teaching Points
The Source of True Authority
True authority and the ability to govern justly come from God through His wisdom. Leaders should seek divine guidance to rule effectively.

The Role of Wisdom in Leadership
Wisdom is essential for enacting just laws and making decisions that benefit the community. Leaders should prioritize wisdom over personal ambition or power.

The Responsibility of Rulers
Those in authority have a responsibility to seek wisdom and enact laws that reflect justice and righteousness, serving the people they govern.

The Pursuit of Wisdom for All Believers
While this verse specifically addresses rulers, all believers are called to seek wisdom in their daily lives, influencing their decisions and interactions with others.

Prayer for Leaders
Believers should pray for their leaders to seek and apply divine wisdom in their governance, ensuring that justice and righteousness prevail.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the personification of Wisdom in Proverbs 8 help us understand its importance in leadership?

2. In what ways can modern leaders apply the principle of seeking wisdom to enact just laws?

3. How does Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3 serve as a model for leaders today?

4. What practical steps can believers take to support and encourage their leaders to seek divine wisdom?

5. How can the pursuit of wisdom impact our personal lives and decision-making processes, even if we are not in positions of authority?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 3:9-12
Solomon asks God for wisdom to govern his people, illustrating the principle that true leadership requires divine guidance.

Romans 13:1-4
Paul speaks about the role of governing authorities and how they are established by God, echoing the idea that rulers should seek wisdom to enact justice.

James 1:5
Encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, reinforcing the idea that wisdom is a divine gift necessary for righteous living and leadership.
Christian LoyaltyH. W. Sulivan, M. A.Proverbs 8:15
Civil Governments and Their SubjectsG. Clayton, M. A.Proverbs 8:15
Good GovernmentFrancis Taylor, B. D.Proverbs 8:15
Per Me Reges RegnantBp. Lancelot Andrewes.Proverbs 8:15
Thanksgiving to Almighty GodN. Meeres, B. D.Proverbs 8:15
The Authority of Divine WisdomDavid Thomas, D. D.Proverbs 8:15
The Connection of Our Lord Christ with Earthly SovereigntyE. Bickersteth.Proverbs 8:15
The Divine Right of KingsG. S. Cornish, M. A.Proverbs 8:15
The Wisdom Behind Civil GovernmentJoshua Oldfield.Proverbs 8:15
Christ the Wisdom of God: No. 1W. Clarkson Proverbs 8:1-21
The Excellency of Divine Wisdom: No. 1W. Clarkson Proverbs 8:1-21
The Excellency of Divine Wisdom: No. 2W. Clarkson Proverbs 8:1-21
Wisdom's PleadingsE. Johnson Proverbs 8:10-21
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Decisions, Decree, Decrees, Justice, Kings, Laws, Power, Princes, Reign, Righteousness, Rulers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 8:15

     5361   justice, human
     5509   rulers

Proverbs 8:1-32

     8365   wisdom, human

Proverbs 8:14-16

     8227   discernment, nature of

Proverbs 8:15-16

     5257   civil authorities
     5326   government
     5723   nobles
     7735   leaders, political
     8367   wisdom, importance of

Library
Wisdom's Gift
'That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance.'--PROVERBS viii. 21. The word here rendered 'substance' is peculiar. Indeed, it is used in a unique construction in this passage. It means 'being' or 'existence,' and seems to have been laid hold of by the Hebrew thinkers, from whom the books commonly called 'the Wisdom Books' come, as one of their almost technical expressions. 'Substance' may be used in our translation in its philosophical meaning as the supposed reality underlying appearances,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Wisdom and Christ
'Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.'--PROVERBS viii. 30, 31. There is a singular difference between the two portions of this Book of Proverbs. The bulk of it, beginning with chapter x., contains a collection of isolated maxims which may be described as the product of sanctified common sense. They are shrewd and homely, but not remarkably
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"But Whereunto Shall I Liken this Generation?"
Matth. xi. 16.--"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?" When our Lord Jesus, who had the tongue of the learned, and spoke as never man spake, did now and then find a difficulty to express the matter herein contained. "What shall we do?" The matter indeed is of great importance, a soul matter, and therefore of great moment, a mystery, and therefore not easily expressed. No doubt he knows how to paint out this to the life, that we might rather behold it with our eyes, than hear it with our
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Wisdom. Pr 8:22-31

John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Invitation of Wisdom. --Prov. viii.
The invitation of Wisdom.--Prov. viii. To us the voice of Wisdom cries, Hearken, ye children, and be wise; Better than gold the fruit I bear, Rubies to me may not compare, Happy the man who daily waits To hear me, watching at my gates; Wretched is he who scorns my voice, Death and destruction are his choice. To them that love me I am kind; And those who seek me early find; My Son, give me thine heart,--and learn Wisdom from folly to discern. The Lord possess'd me, ere of old, His hand the firmament
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Having Said This, when they had Kissed Him...
92. Having said this, when they had kissed him, he lifted up his feet, and as though he saw friends coming to him and was glad because of them--for as he lay his countenance appeared joyful--he died and was gathered to the fathers. And they afterward, according to his commandment, wrapped him up and buried him, hiding his body underground. And no one knows to this day where it was buried, save those two only. But each of those who received the sheepskin of the blessed Antony and the garment worn
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Absurdity of Supposing a Son or Word Created in Order to the Creation of Other Creatures; as to the Creation
Chapter XVII.--Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 continued. Absurdity of supposing a Son or Word created in order to the creation of other creatures; as to the creation being unable to bear God's immediate hand, God condescends to the lowest. Moreover, if the Son a creature, He too could not bear God's hand, and an infinite series of media will be necessary. Objected, that, as Moses who led out the Israelites was a man, so our Lord; but Moses was not the Agent in creation:--again, that unity is found
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 Continued. Contrast Between the Father's Operations Immediately and Naturally in the Son...
Chapter XVIII.--Introduction to Proverbs viii. 22 continued. Contrast between the Father's operations immediately and naturally in the Son, instrumentally by the creatures; Scripture terms illustrative of this. Explanation of these illustrations; which should be interpreted by the doctrine of the Church; perverse sense put on them by the Arians, refuted. Mystery of Divine Generation. Contrast between God's Word and man's word drawn out at length. Asterius betrayed into holding two Unoriginates; his
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Texts Explained; Sixthly...
Chapter XIX.--Texts explained; Sixthly, Proverbs viii. 22. Proverbs are of a figurative nature, and must be interpreted as such. We must interpret them, and in particular this passage, by the Regula Fidei. He created me' not equivalent to I am a creature.' Wisdom a creature so far forth as Its human body. Again, if He is a creature, it is as a beginning of ways,' an office which, though not an attribute, is a consequence, of a higher and divine nature. And it is for the works,' which implied the
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Texts Explained; Sixthly...
Chapter XXI.--Texts Explained; Sixthly, Proverbs viii. 22, Continued. Our Lord not said in Scripture to be created,' or the works to be begotten.' In the beginning' means in the case of the works from the beginning.' Scripture passages explained. We are made by God first, begotten next; creatures by nature, sons by grace. Christ begotten first, made or created afterwards. Sense of First-born of the dead;' of First-born among many brethren;' of First-born of all creation,' contrasted with Only-begotten.'
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Of the Council of Antioch and what was done There against the Holy Meletius.
At this time, [586] Constantius was residing at Antioch. The Persian war was over; there had been a time of peace, and he once again gathered bishops together with the object of making them all deny both the formula "of one substance" and also the formula "of different substance." On the death of Leontius, Eudoxius had seized the see of Antioch, but on his expulsion and illegal establishment, after many synods, at Constantinople, the church of Antioch had been left without a shepherd. Accordingly
Theodoret—The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret

A String of Pearls
'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3. It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4. The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. 5. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6. Most men will
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple
If our conceptions of the Lord Jesus are very enlarged, they will only be his due. We cannot exaggerate here. He deserves higher praise than we can ever render to him. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high is be above our loftiest conceptions. Even when the angels strike their loudest notes, and chant his praises most exultingly on their highest festal days, the music falls far short of his excellence. He is higher than a seraph's most soaring thought! Rise then, my brethren, as on
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

His Name --The Counsellor
We shall now enter upon the discussion of this title which is given to Christ, a title peculiar to our Redeemer; and you will see why it should be given to him and why there was a necessity for such a Counsellor. Now, our Lord Jesus Christ is a Counsellor in a three-fold sense. First, he is God's Counsellor; he sits in the cabinet council of the King of heaven; he has admittance into the privy chamber, and is the Counsellor with God. In the second place, Christ is a Counsellor in the sense which
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Of the Decrees of God.
Eph. i. 11.--"Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."--Job xxiii. 13. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." Having spoken something before of God, in his nature and being and properties, we come, in the next place, to consider his glorious majesty, as he stands in some nearer relation to his creatures, the work of his hands. For we must conceive the first rise of all things in the world to be in this self-being, the first conception
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Organic and Individual.
"Where is He that put His Holy Spirit among them?" --Isa. lxiii. 11. The subsequent activity of the Holy Spirit lies in the realm of grace. In nature the Spirit of God appears as creating, in grace as re-creating. We call it re-creation, because God's grace creates not something inherently new, but a new life in an old and degraded nature. But this must not be understood as tho grace restored only what sin had destroyed. For then the child of God, born anew and sanctified, must be as Adam was in
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Trinity
Q-6. HOW MANY PERSONS ARE THERE IN THE GODHEAD? A: Three persons, yet but one God. 'There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.' I John 5:5. God is but one, yet are there three distinct persons subsisting in one Godhead. This is a sacred mystery, which the light within man could never have discovered. As the two natures in Christ, yet but one person, is a wonder; so three persons, yet but one Godhead. Here is a great deep, the Father
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Third Exile, 356-362.
The third exile of Athanasius marks the summit of his achievement. Its commencement is the triumph, its conclusion the collapse of Arianism. It is true that after the death of Constantius the battle went on with variations of fortune for twenty years, mostly under the reign of an ardently Arian Emperor (364-378). But by 362 the utter lack of inner coherence in the Arian ranks was manifest to all; the issue of the fight might be postponed by circumstances but could not be in doubt. The break-up of
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

An Explanation of Acts ii. ...
An explanation of Acts ii. 36 and Proverbs viii. 22, which are shown to refer properly to Christ's manhood alone. 95. To no purpose, then, is the heretics' customary citation of the Scripture, that "God made Him both Lord and Christ." Let these ignorant persons read the whole passage, and understand it. For thus it is written. "God made this Jesus, Whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ." [1843] It was not the Godhead, but the flesh, that was crucified. This, indeed, was possible, because the flesh
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, we see
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Links
Proverbs 8:15 NIV
Proverbs 8:15 NLT
Proverbs 8:15 ESV
Proverbs 8:15 NASB
Proverbs 8:15 KJV

Proverbs 8:15 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Proverbs 8:14
Top of Page
Top of Page