Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 8:27

ESV When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
NIV I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
NASB When He established the heavens, I was there; When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
CSB I was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,
NLT I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
KJV When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
NKJV When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

What does Proverbs 8:27 mean?

God possessed wisdom before He established the heavens and stretched the sky over the horizon. Job 22:14 says God walks on the vault of heaven. "Vault" in that part of Job is another way of referring to the "circle" referenced in this verse. This continues Solomon's poetic depiction of wisdom, calling out to mankind (Proverbs 8:1–4), and declaring a history longer than that of creation (Proverbs 8:22–26).

The sky above with its clouds has covered the earth for ages and has fascinated meteorologists. Jesus referred to the sky in Matthew 16. When the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Him for a sign from heaven, Jesus replied: "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times" (Matthew 16:2–3). Sky watchers would do well to look by faith beyond the sky to see the one who created all things, including the sky (Psalm 19:1).
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