Proverbs 3:19
What does Proverbs 3:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Proverbs 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Proverbs 3:19 means
This verse attributes the very act of creation to God's inherent wisdom and understanding. It states that the Lord utilized wisdom to lay the foundations of the earth and understanding to establish the heavens. This emphasizes that wisdom is not merely an abstract concept or human virtue, but a divine attribute fundamental to the order and structure of the universe, demonstrating its ultimate origin and power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jehovah by wisdom did found the earth, He prepared the heavens by understanding.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by prudence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.
Context
Shifting from wisdom's benefits for humanity, this verse now highlights wisdom's cosmic role, portraying it as the instrument of creation itself. This majestic declaration elevates wisdom's status even further, showing its divine origin and power. It provides a theological underpinning for the exhortations to pursue wisdom, implicitly suggesting that aligning with wisdom is aligning with the very order established by God in the universe.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:3
All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
- Jeremiah 51:15
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens.
- Psalms 136:5
To him that by understanding made the heavens; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever:
- Psalms 104:24
O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.
- Jeremiah 10:12
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens.
- Proverbs 8:27
When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,
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