Editing Book of Proverbs (section)

==Later interpretation and influence==
Pre-Exilic (i.e., pre-586 BCE) Israelite religion worshipped [[YHWH]] as the supreme deity despite the continued existence of subordinate [[Heavenly host|servant-deities]].{{sfn|Page Lee|1990|pp=176–77}} The post-Exilic writers of the Wisdom tradition developed the idea that Wisdom existed before creation and was used by God to create the universe:{{sfn|Berlin|2011|p=188}} "Present from the beginning, Wisdom assumes the role of master builder while God establishes the heavens, restricts the chaotic waters, and shapes the mountains and fields."{{sfn|Parrish|1990|p=183}} Borrowing ideas from Greek philosophers{{example needed|date=December 2024}} who held that Reason bound the universe together, the Wisdom tradition taught that God's Wisdom, Word, and Spirit were the ground of cosmic unity.{{sfn|Kaiser|1997|p=28}} Christianity, in turn adopted these ideas and applied them to Jesus: the [[Epistle to the Colossians]] calls Jesus "...image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation...", while the [[Gospel of John]] identifies him with the creative Word ("In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God").{{sfn|Parrish|1990|pp=183–84}}

In the 4th century, when Christianity was caught up in [[Heresy|heresies]] and still developing the [[creed]]s that would define its beliefs, Proverbs 8:22<ref name="proverbs8_22">{{Bibleverse|Proverbs|8:22|NASB}}</ref> was used both to support and refute the claims of the [[Arian controversy|Arians]]. The Arians, assuming that Jesus could be equated with the "Wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24),<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|1:24}}</ref> argued that the Son, like Wisdom, was "created"<ref name="proverbs8_22" /> and therefore subordinate to the Creator. Their opponents, who argued that the relevant Hebrew word should be translated as "begot", won the debate, and the [[Nicene Creed]] declared that the Son was "begotten, not made"—meaning that God and Jesus were [[Consubstantiality|consubstantial]].{{sfn|Farmer|1991|pp=53–54}}