Proverbs 8:27
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass on the face of the depth:
American King James Version (AKJV)
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass on the face of the depth:
American Standard Version (ASV)
When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,
Basic English Translation (BBE)
When he made ready the heavens I was there: when he put an arch over the face of the deep:
Webster's Revision
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
World English Bible
When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
English Revised Version (ERV)
When he established the heavens, I was there: when he set a circle upon the face of the deep:
Definitions for Proverbs 8:27
Clarke's Proverbs 8:27 Bible Commentary
When he prepared the heavens, I was there - For there is no part of the creation of God in which wisdom, skill, contrivance, are more manifest, than in the construction of the visible heavens.
When he set a compass upon the face of the depth - Does not this refer to the establishment of the law of gravitation? by which all the particles of matter, tending to a common center, would produce in all bodies the orbicular form, which we see them have; so that even the waters are not only retained within their boundaries, but are subjected to the circular form, in their great aggregate of seas, as other parts of matter are. This is called here making a compass, בחקו חוג bechukko chug, sweeping a circle; and even this on the face of the deep, to bring the chaotic mass into form, regularity, and order.
Barnes's Proverbs 8:27 Bible Commentary
A compass - Better as in the margin and Job 22:14 (see the note), i. e., the great vault of heaven stretched over the deep seas.
Wesley's Proverbs 8:27 Bible Commentary
8:27 I was there - As co - worker with my Father. Depth - Of that great abyss of water and earth mixed together, which is called both earth and water and the deep, Genesis 1:2 , when he made this lower world in the form of a globe.