In preparing for the debate as to whether the earth is flat or not, I have found this passage (again), but this time, with even greater meaning.  I found myself in tears of joy reading it, because it answers my greatest question: Who is man that you are mindful of him?

Mishlei (Proverbs) 8:22-31
YAHUAH possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with את eth-the sons of men.

Who is speaking here? Is it Shalomah (Solomon)? Is it wisdom? Is it MASHIACH?

Let’s look at the timeline in this passage:

It begins before the creation of the firmament (heaven) (Bere’shiyth 1:8), claiming an origin in the everlasting (olam), before the works of old. Then we come on this passage:

Mishlei (Proverbs) 8:27
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass (choog) upon the face of the depth:

Some may read that and think compass as in a drafter’s compass that you might find on the symbol of the masons for example, but actually, that is a different word in the Ivriyt (Hebrew).  The word for that kind of compass is מְחוּגָה mᵉchûwgâh.  No, in this passage we have the word חוּג choog, which appears only three times and is interpreted all three times differently:

Iyov (Job) 22:14 “circuit”

Mishlei (Proverbs) 8:27 “compass”

Yesha`yahu (Isaiah) 40:22 “circle”

Mishlei (Proverbs) 8:27
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a circuit [proposed] upon the face of the depth:

When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle [referenced] upon the face of the depth:

Does this not declare all of the heavens to be in a circuit? Something to consider.

Mishlei (Proverbs) 8:29
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations [mosad] of the earth:

In this verse, we see the use of the word mosad, which, in essence, means the cumulative acts of founding, or in other words, the foundation.  This does not mean a concrete footer under the earth. What are these foundations?  They are the seven days of creation. 

However, this blog is about finding joy in this passage.  Let’s take a look:

Mishlei (Proverbs) 8:30-31
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with את eth-the sons of men.

That says it all, doesn’t it?