ReverendCreative wisdom

Proverbs 8 — Wisdom's call and her place in creation — Hebrew and Greek compared

Saints Translation — Proverbs 1–31 [V1]

Same 0 Similar 10 Different 11 Divergent 11 Disparate 5

Disparate in this chapter: H 8:1, H 8:22, H 8:27, H 8:31, H 8:35

Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.

Proverbs 8 — Wisdom's call and her place in creation

8:1–8:11 — Wisdom calls for a hearing

Verse H 8:1 Disparate

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:1

Does not Wisdom call,

and Understanding raise her voice?

Greek–English (G)

G 8:1

You shall proclaim wisdom,

so that understanding may heed you.

Comparison and reception

Disparate. Text: H depicts Wisdom and Understanding calling; G commands the addressee to proclaim wisdom so that understanding will heed that person. Rabbinic: Rashi interprets the calling Wisdom as Torah announcing the instruction that follows. This is his interpretive identification, kept outside the translated line. [R8]

Verse H 8:2 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:2

At the top of the heights beside the road,

at the meeting of the paths she stands.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:2

For she is on the high summits,

and stands between the paths.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: Both locate her at elevated places and intersecting routes; H explicitly mentions the road.

Verse H 8:3 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:3

Beside the gates, at the mouth of the town,

at the entrance of the doorways she cries out:

Greek–English (G)

G 8:3

For she sits beside the gates of rulers,

and is praised at the entrances:

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G specifies rulers and uses a passive verb, 'is praised'; H has her cry out at the town entrance.

Verse H 8:4 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:4

“To you, men, I call,

and my voice is to the children of humankind.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:4

“You, O human beings, I summon,

and I send forth my voice to the children of humankind.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: The invitation addresses humanity; 'children of humankind' retains the filial expression.

Verse H 8:5 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:5

Understand shrewdness, you simple ones;

and you fools, understand with the heart.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:5

Understand resourcefulness, you innocent ones;

and you uneducated, put your heart into it.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H contrasts the simple and fools; G uses innocent and uneducated. G 'put in a heart' is rendered idiomatically, without erasing the heart image.

Verse H 8:6 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:6

Listen, for I will speak noble things,

and the opening of my lips will be upright things.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:6

Listen to me, for I will speak noble things,

and bring forth upright things from my lips.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: H describes the opening of the lips; G explicitly brings forth the utterances.

Verse H 8:7 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:7

For my palate will utter truth,

and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:7

For my throat will meditate on truth,

and lying lips are detestable before me.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: G specifies lying lips as the object of abhorrence, while H names wickedness. Both retain a bodily organ of speech.

Verse H 8:8 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:8

All the sayings of my mouth are in righteousness;

there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:8

All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;

there is nothing crooked or entangled in them.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: Both deny distortion in Wisdom's speech; G's final adjective evokes tangling or knotting.

Verse H 8:9 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:9

They are all straightforward to one who understands,

and upright to those who find knowledge.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:9

They are all plain to those who understand,

and upright to those who find knowledge.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: The same relation between understanding and the clarity of the sayings is retained.

Verse H 8:10 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:10

Take my discipline rather than silver,

and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:10

Take discipline rather than silver,

and knowledge above tested gold;

choose discernment rather than pure gold.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G adds a third clause commending discernment over pure gold; H explicitly says 'my discipline'.

Verse H 8:11 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:11

For wisdom is better than precious gems,

and all desirable things cannot equal her.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:11

For wisdom is better than costly stones,

and nothing precious is worthy of her.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: H peninim identifies a valuable material whose exact mineral or organic identity is uncertain; 'precious gems' is provisional. G explicitly has costly stones.

8:12–8:21 — Wisdom, counsel, and righteous rule

Verse H 8:12 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:12

I, Wisdom, dwell with shrewdness,

and I find knowledge of thoughtful plans.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:12

I, Wisdom, have made counsel my dwelling,

and I have called upon knowledge and reflection.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H dwells with shrewdness and finds knowledge; G dwells in counsel and calls on knowledge and reflection. The abstract companions remain distinct.

Verse H 8:13 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:13

The fear of YHWH is hatred of evil;

pride and arrogance and the evil way

and a perverse mouth I hate.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:13

The fear of the Lord hates injustice,

insolence and arrogance and the ways of wicked people;

and I hate the perverted ways of evil people.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G makes fear the grammatical subject of 'hates' and closes with perverted ways rather than H's perverse mouth.

Verse H 8:14 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:14

Counsel and sound resourcefulness are mine;

I am understanding; strength is mine.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:14

Counsel and security are mine;

understanding is mine, and strength is mine.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H identifies the speaker with understanding; G says understanding belongs to her. H tushiyyah is rendered 'sound resourcefulness', not treated as identical to G's security.

Verse H 8:15 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:15

By me kings reign,

and rulers decree righteousness.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:15

Through me kings reign,

and rulers write righteousness.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: Both ground government in Wisdom; H emphasizes decreeing, G writing.

Verse H 8:16 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:16

By me princes rule,

and nobles—all who judge righteously.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:16

Through me great men become great,

and through me sovereigns rule the earth.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: H closes with righteous judges; G speaks of magnates becoming great and sovereigns ruling the earth. G tyrannoi is not automatically assigned the modern pejorative 'tyrants'.

Verse H 8:17 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:17

I love those who love me,

and those who diligently seek me will find me.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:17

I love those who love me,

and those who seek me will find me.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: H's publisher extraction displays the written 'those who love her'. The separately consulted Mechon-Mamre Hebrew presentation pairs that form with the pointed reading ohavai, 'those who love me', followed here. G explicitly has 'me'. This is supplemental Masoretic reading evidence, not consultation of the BHS apparatus. [MM8] Rabbinic: Rashi reports, through Rabbi Aaron in Rabbi Nathan’s name, an interpretation of the written her: God loves those who love Torah. This does not replace the verified read form me. [R8]

Verse H 8:18 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:18

Wealth and honor are with me,

enduring substance and righteousness.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:18

Wealth and glory belong to me,

and possession of many things and righteousness.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H's lasting or substantial wealth differs from G's possession of many things; the prosperity language is reported as the text's claim.

Verse H 8:19 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:19

My fruit is better than gold, than refined gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:19

It is better to reap me than gold and precious stone,

and my produce is better than choice silver.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H compares her fruit with two gold expressions; G speaks of reaping Wisdom herself and includes precious stone.

Verse H 8:20 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:20

I walk in the path of righteousness,

in the midst of the tracks of justice,

Greek–English (G)

G 8:20

I walk in ways of righteousness,

and move in the midst of paths of just judgment,

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: Both describe Wisdom's movement within righteous and just paths.

Verse H 8:21 Similar

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:21

to cause those who love me to inherit substance,

and to fill their storehouses.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:21

so that I may apportion substance to those who love me,

and fill their storehouses with good things.

Comparison and reception

Similar. Text: G specifies that the stores are filled with good things. H yesh is the compressed 'what exists', here substantial possessions.

G8:21a–8:31 — Wisdom before and beside the Creator

Verse 8:21a Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H —

[No corresponding text in the displayed Hebrew main text.]

Greek–English (G)

G 8:21a

If I announce to you the things that happen day by day,

I will remember to recount the things from eternity.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G adds this transition from daily events to ancient things. There is no corresponding entry in the displayed H main text.

Verse H 8:22 Disparate

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:22

YHWH acquired me as the beginning of His way,

before His works of long ago.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:22

The Lord created me as the beginning of His ways,

for His works.

Comparison and reception

Disparate. Text: H qanah is rendered 'acquired', with possessing or creating debated in this context; G explicitly uses ektisen, 'created'. H says before His works, G for His works. Neither column inserts a later identification of Wisdom with Christ. Saints: Athanasius, Against the Arians 2.44,47, reads the saying figuratively in relation to the Word’s assumption of a created human body. His argument distinguishes created me from calling the Son a creature; it is theological reception, not an alternative Greek verb. [AA2]

Verse H 8:23 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:23

From eternity I was installed,

from the beginning, from before the earth.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:23

Before the age He founded me,

in the beginning,

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H nissakhti is provisionally 'was installed'; the underlying pouring/anointing or establishment imagery is disputed. G explicitly says 'founded'. G's sentence continues in 8:24.

Verse H 8:24 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:24

When there were no deeps I was brought forth,

when there were no springs heavy with water.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:24

before making the earth and before making the abysses,

before the springs of the waters came forth,

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: H speaks of Wisdom being brought forth and water-laden springs; G continues the prior founding sentence and includes making the earth.

Verse H 8:25 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:25

Before the mountains were sunk in place,

before the hills I was brought forth,

Greek–English (G)

G 8:25

before the mountains were established,

and before all hills He gives me birth.

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: G uses the present genna, 'gives me birth', retained instead of silently harmonizing its tense with H's completed birth language. The agent is implicit in H and explicit in G. G's agent is conveyed by the third-person active verb; no separate divine noun or pronoun is written in that clause.

Verse H 8:26 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:26

while He had not yet made earth and open country,

or the first dust of the inhabited world.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:26

The Lord made countries and uninhabited places,

and the inhabited extremities of the world beneath heaven.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: H continues a 'not yet' setting and mentions primeval dust. G makes a positive assertion of creation and names inhabited and uninhabited regions.

Verse H 8:27 Disparate

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:27

When He established the heavens, I was there;

when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

Greek–English (G)

G 8:27

When He was preparing heaven, I was present with Him,

and when He marked out His own throne upon winds.

Comparison and reception

Disparate. Text: H has a circle over the deep; G has God's throne upon winds. Both place Wisdom at the divine ordering, but the cosmological image is different.

Verse H 8:28 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:28

when He made the clouds above firm,

when the springs of the deep grew strong,

Greek–English (G)

G 8:28

When He was making the clouds above strong,

and when He was setting the springs of the world beneath heaven secure,

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H refers to the springs of the deep; G to springs under heaven. H's second clause can describe their becoming strong, without an expressed direct object.

Verse H 8:29 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:29

when He set its boundary for the sea,

so that the waters would not pass beyond His command,

when He inscribed the foundations of the earth,

Greek–English (G)

G 8:29

and was making the foundations of the earth strong,

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G retains only the strengthening of earth's foundations here; H's sea boundary and waters obeying His 'mouth', rendered command, have no corresponding clause.

Verse H 8:30 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:30

then I was beside Him as a master worker,

and I was delight day by day,

playing before Him at every time,

Greek–English (G)

G 8:30

I was beside Him, fitting things together;

I was the one in whom He delighted.

Day by day I rejoiced before Him at every time,

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H amon is disputed: 'master worker' is provisional, with a nurtured child or nursling also proposed; H's play language remains. G harmonousa explicitly describes fitting together, but supplies no object; 'things' is an English complement, not an explicit Greek 'world'. Rabbinic: Rashi explains amon as one reared beside God, comparing the nurtured persons of Lamentations 4:5. His nursling interpretation is an attested alternative to the provisional master worker. [R8]

Verse H 8:31 Disparate

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:31

playing in His inhabited earth,

and my delight was with the children of humankind.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:31

when He rejoiced after completing the inhabited world,

and delighted in the children of humankind.

Comparison and reception

Disparate. Text: H keeps Wisdom as the subject of play and human delight. G shifts to the masculine divine maker rejoicing after completing the world; the subjects are not harmonized.

8:32–8:36 — Listening, life, and death

Verse H 8:32 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:32

And now, children, listen to me;

happy are those who keep my ways.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:32

Now, therefore, son, listen to me.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G addresses one son and has only the command here. Its blessing on keeping Wisdom's ways appears within G 8:34, not as a second source entry at 8:32.

Verse H 8:33 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:33

Listen to discipline and become wise,

and do not let it go.

Greek–English (G)

G —

[No corresponding text in the displayed Greek main text.]

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: No G 8:33 entry is displayed. This absence notice does not create a Greek verse.

Verse H 8:34 Divergent

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:34

Happy is the person who listens to me,

keeping watch at my doors day by day,

guarding the posts of my entrances.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:34

Happy is the man who will listen to me,

and the person who will keep my ways,

staying awake at my doors day by day,

guarding the posts of my entrances.

Comparison and reception

Divergent. Text: G includes the keeping-of-ways blessing corresponding to H 8:32 within this source entry. The door-watching image otherwise closely agrees.

Verse H 8:35 Disparate

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:35

For whoever finds me has found life,

and obtains favor from YHWH.

Greek–English (G)

G 8:35

For my ways out are ways out to life,

and favor is prepared by the Lord.

Comparison and reception

Disparate. Text: H has finding Wisdom and obtaining divine favor; G has her exodoi, 'ways out', leading to life, and favor being prepared. The displayed H form matsai is orthographically unusual; 'has found' is a contextual reading, not an asserted qere. G thelesis literally denotes will or willingness; 'favor' is contextual, not its only lexical sense.

Verse H 8:36 Different

Hebrew–English (H)

H 8:36

But whoever sins against me does violence to his own life;

all who hate me love death.”

Greek–English (G)

G 8:36

But those who sin against me act impiously against their own lives,

and those who hate me love death.”

Comparison and reception

Different. Text: H's chote'i may also mean 'one who misses me', fitting the finding contrast. G explicitly has plural offenders and impious treatment of their own lives.