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Proverbs 8:25

Proverbs 8:25 in Multiple Translations

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth;

Before the mountains were put in their places, before the hills was my birth:

I was born before the mountains or the hills had been formed,

Before the mountaines were setled: and before the hilles, was I begotten.

Before mountains were sunk, Before heights, I was brought forth.

Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.

The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth:

I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 8:25

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Proverbs 8:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB בְּ/טֶ֣רֶם הָרִ֣ים הָטְבָּ֑עוּ לִ/פְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתִּי
בְּ/טֶ֣רֶם ṭerem H2962 before Prep | Adv
הָרִ֣ים har H2022 mountain N-mp
הָטְבָּ֑עוּ ṭâbaʻ H2883 to sink V-Hophal-Perf-3cp
לִ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp
גְבָע֣וֹת gibʻâh H1389 Gibeat N-fp
חוֹלָֽלְתִּי chûwl H2342 to twist V-O-Perf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 8:25

בְּ/טֶ֣רֶם ṭerem H2962 "before" Prep | Adv
This word indicates something has not happened yet, or it happened before something else. It is used to show timing or sequence of events, translated as before, ere, or not yet in the KJV.
Definition: before, not yet, before that
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: before, ere, not yet. See also: Genesis 2:5; 2 Kings 6:32; Psalms 5:6.
הָרִ֣ים har H2022 "mountain" N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
הָטְבָּ֑עוּ ṭâbaʻ H2883 "to sink" V-Hophal-Perf-3cp
To sink is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, which can also mean to drown or settle down, as seen in various KJV translations. It appears in different forms, such as sink, fasten, or settle, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. This verb is used to describe something going down or being submerged.
Definition: 1) to sink, sink into, sink down, pierce, settle down, drown, be settled, be planted 1a) (Qal) to sink, sink down 1b)(Pual) to be sunk 1c) (Hophal) to cause to sink
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: drown, fasten, settle, sink. See also: Exodus 15:4; Psalms 69:15; Psalms 9:16.
לִ/פְנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
גְבָע֣וֹת gibʻâh H1389 "Gibeat" N-fp
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
חוֹלָֽלְתִּי chûwl H2342 "to twist" V-O-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to twist or whirl, and can describe dancing, pain, or fear. It is used to convey strong emotions or physical struggles, such as childbirth or great fear.
Definition: : tremble/fear 1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dance 1a2) to twist, writhe 1a3) to whirl, whirl about 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to dance 1b2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth 1b3) to wait anxiously 1c) (Pulal) 1c1) to be made to writhe, be made to bear 1c2) to be brought forth 1d) (Hophal) to be born 1e) (Hithpolel) 1e1) whirling (participle) 1e2) writhing, suffering torture (participle) 1e3) to wait longingly 1f) (Hithpalpel) to be distressed
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded. See also: Genesis 8:10; Proverbs 8:24; Psalms 10:5.

Study Notes — Proverbs 8:25

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.
2 Psalms 102:25–28 In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. The children of Your servants will dwell securely, and their descendants will be established before You.”
3 Job 38:4–11 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’?
4 Job 15:7–8 Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?
5 Hebrews 1:10 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Proverbs 8:25 Summary

[This verse tells us that Wisdom has been around forever, even before the mountains and hills were formed, which is a pretty amazing thought. It means that Wisdom is not something new, but something that has always been a part of God's plan, as seen in Psalm 119:105. By looking to Wisdom, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it, just like the psalmist in Psalm 19:1-6. As we reflect on Proverbs 8:25, we are reminded to seek Wisdom and apply its timeless principles to our lives, just as Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that Wisdom was brought forth before the mountains were settled?

This phrase emphasizes the eternal nature of Wisdom, highlighting that it existed before the creation of the physical world, as seen in Proverbs 8:23 and Psalm 90:2.

How does this verse relate to the creation story in the book of Genesis?

The creation account in Genesis 1:1-31 provides context for understanding the timeline of creation, and Proverbs 8:25 fits within this narrative, underscoring Wisdom's presence before the formation of the earth's terrain.

What is the significance of Wisdom being brought forth before the hills?

This phrase underscores the precedence and importance of Wisdom in God's plan, much like Jeremiah 1:5, where the prophet is known before he is formed, emphasizing God's sovereignty and purpose.

How can we apply the concept of Wisdom being eternal to our daily lives?

Recognizing Wisdom's eternal nature encourages us to seek and apply timeless principles from Scripture, such as those found in Proverbs 1:7 and Matthew 7:24, to guide our decisions and actions.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the eternal existence of Wisdom reveal about God's character and plan?
  2. How can I cultivate a deeper appreciation for the wisdom that has been present since before creation?
  3. In what ways can I apply the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 8:25 to the challenges I face today?
  4. What role does Wisdom play in my understanding of the world and my place in it?

Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 8:25

Before the mountains were settled,.... "Plunged" (l), or fixed in the earth; and which was done by the great strength of the Lord, upon their proper bases, Psalms 65:6; and which were "aborigine", or

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 8:25

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 8:25

Settled; or, fixed by their roots in the earth.

Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 8:25

Proverbs 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:Ver. 25. Was I brought forth.] Or, Begotten. Thus wisdom describes her eternity in human words and expressions, for our better apprehension. Which while Arius either knew not, or weighed not, he herehence took occasion to oppose the Deity of our Saviour, and to propagate that damnable error in the Eastern Churches, to the ruin of many souls. This arch-heretic Arius sitting on the stool to ease nature at Constantinople, voided there his entrails. And now Mohammedanism is there as the excrement of Arius.

Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 8:25

Compare Psalms 90:2. What the Psalmist said of Yahweh, the teacher here asserts of Wisdom; she was before the everlasting hills.

Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 8:25

25. Settled — Hebrew, sunk, as a foundation; founded. Brought forth — Same word as in preceding verse.

Sermons on Proverbs 8:25

SermonDescription
A.W. Tozer (John - Part 2): In the Beginning Was the Word by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging the difficulty of preaching on the phrase "in the beginning." He compares it to the impossible task of lifting oneself up on a
C.H. Spurgeon His Name -- the Mighty God by C.H. Spurgeon In this sermon, preached by Charles Haddon Spurgeon in 1859, he emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ. Spurgeon highlights the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, stat
Dean Stump Numbering Our Days by Dean Stump In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the brevity of life and the importance of seeking wisdom from God. He emphasizes the need to number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom.
Richard Owen Roberts Encounter With a Holy God by Richard Owen Roberts This sermon delves into the reasons behind Israel's continual wandering from God despite witnessing His incredible works, emphasizing the importance of humility, contrition, and br
John Murray Origin of Man in Relation to the Theory of Evolution by John Murray In this sermon, the preacher discusses three fundamental principles of Christian faith. The first principle is the belief in the word of God as the foundation of understanding. The
John Piper Passionate for God's Holiness - Part 3 by John Piper This sermon emphasizes the incomparable nature of God's holiness, highlighting His unique, divine, and morally perfect attributes. It delves into the rarity, permanence, and access
Bill McLeod The Greatness of God by Bill McLeod In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the concept of being "less than nothing" in the eyes of God. He emphasizes that humans are temporary beings who cannot take anything with t

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