John Gill Commentary Proverbs 8:24

"When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water." — Proverbs 8:24 (ASV)

When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth
Not only in the decree of God, as the head of the elect; foreordained to be the Redeemer of them, and to be the propitiation for their sins; and appointed the Judge of the world, and heir of all things; but "was begotten", as the Targum and Syriac version; the Septuagint is, "he begot me"; and so it is to be understood of the eternal generation and sonship of Christ; for the word (ytllwx) is used of generation, (Job 15:7) (Psalms 51:5) . Christ is the firstborn of every creature, begotten, born, and brought forth before any creature was in being; see (Psalms 2:7) ; before the depths of the great sea were formed, for they were made by him, (Psalms 95:1Psalms 95:5) ; when there were no depths, but the infinite being and perfections of God, and the thoughts and purposes of his heart, which are his deep things, (Job 11:7Job 11:8) (Psalms 92:5) (1 Corinthians 2:10) ; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water ;
or "heavy", or "honoured" ^F11 with it; when the fountains of the great deep were not; and when there were no other fountains which form rivers, and water the earth; when there were none but God the fountain of living waters; then was Christ as the only begotten son of God; and who was also set up as the fountain of all grace, life, and salvation for his people.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F11: (ydbkn) "aggravati", Pagninus; "praegravati", Vatablus; "gravati", Michaelis; "honorabiles", Gejerus.