Why is wisdom referred to as a she in Proverbs?

Wisdom is personified in these verses, and perhaps strangely, as "she." In fact, 1 Corinthians 1:24 speaks of "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God”, and Christ is not female. But the answer to this is provided in 1 Corinthians 1:30, "Of Him (God) you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God." This is the truth of "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). Thus, "in Christ" believers have wisdom from God, but this is wisdom subjectively, which accounts for the female gender being used. Christ Himself is wisdom objectively, but He uses believers to declare His truth, For instance, in Proverbs 8 the first 11 verses are the female voice, that is, Christ in believers declaring the truth, but the rest of Chapter 8 (vv. 12-36) is very clearly the voice of the Lord Jesus himself as (objectively) the wisdom of God.

The New Testament tells us that 'Christ' is 'God's power and God's wisdom' (1 Cor. 1:24 - JND's. N.Tr.). Is it therefore even remotely possible that a chapter as Proverbs 8 that deals so extensively with the subject of wisdom has no connection with Christ whatever?

However, one objection is that wisdom is spoken of as 'she' in verses 1-2, so that this cannot refer to Christ personally. There is a beautiful answer to this. Verses 1 to 11 use the female pronouns to deal with the subject of wisdom subjectively, that is, as appealing to the response of individuals. This is the truth of 'Christ in you.'

But from verse 12 to the end of the chapter, the female pronoun is not used. In fact, the writer in the first 11 verses reports the actions and words of the woman wisdom, but from verse 12 it is not a report, but a Person, calling Himself 'I Wisdom' speaking directly. This is not simply subjective, but objective. Thus the emphasis is not on how people are affected, but on truth that is absolutely true no matter how it affects men. All this long address is intended, not as an example for us to follow, but as a statement of marvellous facts to bow our hearts with adoration at the feet of Him who is Wisdom.

In the first 11 verses of this chapter wisdom is seen as a woman, though from verse 12 on the words "she" and her" are no longer used, but rather the first personal pronoun, "I." This is most instructive, for verses 1 to 11 deal with wisdom as dwelling in the believer, subjectively, that is, "Christ in you, the hope of glory;" while verses 12 to 36 regard Christ objectively, altogether apart from our feelings or experiences, but the Object to draw out our hearts in adoration to Him.

Wisdom as "She" (vv. 1-11)

Verses 1-11. This is one of the most interesting chapters in the entire book. It begins with a call and appeal of wisdom, much like the call and appeal of the first chapter. If wisdom calls, has a voice, then wisdom must also be a person. Who personified wisdom is we learn most blessedly in this chapter. Wisdom calls to the sons of men; wisdom speaks of plain and excellent things; she speaks the truth; her words are the words of righteousness; wisdom is better than rubies.

I admit that the word wisdom in the book of Proverbs generally refers to the right use of knowledge, but in this 8th chapter you observe that the word is applied to a person. Wisdom cries (v. 1); stands (v. 2); I cry, my voice (v. 4); I dwell (v. 12). Kings get authority from Wisdom (v. 15); Wisdom loves (v. 17); leads (v. 20); is possessed by Jehovah (v. 22); blesses the man that hears (v. 34). From such references, it must be evident that

WISDOM OF THAT CHAPTER IS A PERSON.

This is the voice of divine wisdom which calleth to us daily. That the one who calls is a female need not stumble us; whenever a female is used in the types it is to set forth divine principles in their subjective character. No honest mind taught of God can have any doubts that it is Christ who is set before us in this chapter. It has been asserted that we cannot apply abstract principles to Divine Persons, but this is clearly disproved by Luke 11:49. "Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles." Here we have a divine Person speaking, and we can be assured that the voice which speaks in female character in our passage in Proverbs is the same voice which speaks in Luke 11. Divine wisdom has been made available to us in Christ as we read, "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who has been made to us wisdom from God." 1 Cor. 1:30.

In the passage we have quoted from Proverbs, wisdom is held out to us in order to keep us going right on our ways; again in this wonderful chapter we have wisdom in operation in relation to the creation of the universe, and it is this same wisdom which is available to us in the passage we are considering. The One who ordered the creation aright for the pleasure of the Godhead, presents to us that same wisdom so that we might walk aright in that creation for the pleasure of the Godhead. "I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment; that I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries," verse 20.

Verse 9 begins in Hebrew with “Bmeh”, which signifies “With what?” “B” plus “ah” = “Bah”, which means “in her”. As an example see Isaiah 62:4, where God will call His people “Hephzi-bah”. Hephzi means “My delight”, and hence “My delight is in her”. The “ah” ending is usually a feminine ending in Hebrew as well as Arabic.

Wisdom Personified as a Female.

P. 45. "I do not think that Proverbs 8 can be understood consistently with the whole truth, except by seeing that it is the voice of wisdom abstractly viewed, but personified as a female who can speak, love, bestow favours and have delights. It has pleased God to so present it, and it is for us to seek understanding as to it. It must be admitted by all that the thought of Son is simply not to be found there, Wisdom being personified as a woman. Proverbs 8 does not call her a Divine Person, and some of the language used precludes this thought of her."

Now the word "she" is exchanged for "I." for we no longer are considering wisdom's activity in the believer, that is, subjectively, but objectively in Christ personally, apart from people's experiences or feelings.

Verses 20-23. Wisdom now speaks and wisdom in this first section of Proverbs is a person, a divine person. The eighth chapter gives us a wonderful vision of that Person, the Son of God, who is the Wisdom. First stands the call of Wisdom. The call may be answered or rejected. Wisdom promises if the call is obeyed, "Behold, I will pour my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." But if the call is refused the consequences will be disastrous. The appeal of wisdom closes with a precious promise.