What does Proverbs 8:22 mean?

Wisdom is an essential part of Who God is, so wisdom existed before God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). The Lord's display of wisdom is clearly seen in creation, identified here as "the first" thing He created. This passage celebrates the eternal and fundamental truth of godly wisdom.

In His answer to Job (Job 38—41), the Lord clearly referred to His creative wisdom. He also connected that attribute to His initial creation of the world. He laid the earth's foundations (Job 38:4–6). He created the sea and clouds (Job 38:8–11); light and darkness (Job 38:12–21); snow, hail, and rain (Job 38:22–30); stars (Job 38:31–33); animals and birds (Job 38:39—41:34).

When the apostle Paul walked through Athens, he was greatly disturbed by the ignorance of supposedly wise philosophers. They had erected idols everywhere (Acts 17:16). When he had opportunity to address those philosophers, Paul identified the only wise God and referred to His creative power. Paul told the Athenians he had observed the objects of their worship as he passed through the city. He had observed an altar to the unknown god, who he proclaimed as "the God who made the world and everything in it" (Acts 17:24). Only God had the wisdom to create all things!