Footnote:
We assume the speaker to be personal — essential Wisdom. Apart from the general reasons before given (Notes on Chapter 1:20, 21, 24), this description could not without unnatural force apply to an attribute. It set out, I. Personal existence — brought forth — brought up — in conjunction with Deity — by Him (verses 24, 30.) II. Personal properties (1.) set up (anointed, Heb.) from everlasting, for distinct office (verse 23), (2.) The efficient cause in the work of creation (verses 27-30), (3.) Having wisdom (verse 14) which, as an attribute itself, could not be the property of an attribute; and strength (verse 14) an independent quality, not a property of wisdom, (4.) Personal authority (verses 15, 16), (5.) Leading into the ways of truth (verses 19, 20), (6.) Causing to inherit. (Verse 21.) III. Personal affections — hatred (verse 13), love (verse 17), joy. (Verses 30, 31.) IV. Giving personal promises. (Verse 21.) V. Commanding obedience as a matter of life and death. (Verses 32-36.) Whether Solomon fully understood his own words, may be a question. 1 Peter 1:10, 11. But receiving the words as from God; weighing their natural force; comparing them with Scripture parallels, we doubt not that they describe — not an attribute, but a Person — Eternal — Omniscient — in the most endearing relation to man — his Creator — Mediator — Savior.
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