Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

PROVERBS 8:30KJV
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Proverbs 8:30 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 8:30 mean?

Proverbs 8:30 presents wisdom as a person speaking about being close to God when he formed the world. Wisdom describes that time as one of delight and joy, giving readers a picture of wisdom’s place alongside God during creation.

The phrase “as one brought up with him” pictures a close companion in the KJV. Following the account of God setting the sea’s boundaries, wisdom speaks of being at his side and rejoicing in his presence.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 8:30

  • “brought up” — אָמוֹן (ʾamon): This word is often understood as describing someone nurtured or brought up. The KJV takes the word in that sense, though some other translations understand it as “master craftsman.”
  • “daily” — יוֹם (yom): This word means “day.” The Hebrew repeats the word, giving the sense of “day after day” and stressing the continuing delight.
  • “rejoicing” — שָׂחַק (saḥaq): This word can carry the sense of playing or making merry. Wisdom’s joy is pictured as lively, rather than merely quiet satisfaction.

Why Proverbs 8:30 matters

  • Wisdom speaks as a person in this passage, using “I” and “me.” Proverbs introduces that speaking figure as wisdom in verse 12, so the words are part of a picture that gives wisdom a voice.
  • Wisdom’s delight extends beyond the scene beside God. In verse 31, wisdom rejoices in the inhabited world and delights in people, linking the joy of verse 30 with human life.

Where else these words appear

“delight” Hebrew H8191 · used in 9 verses

  • Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
  • Psalms 119:92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
  • Proverbs 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

“rejoicing” Hebrew H7832 · used in 36 verses

  • Judges 16:25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
  • Job 30:1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
  • Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

“him” Hebrew H681 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 39:10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
  • 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
  • Proverbs 7:12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)