What does Proverbs 8:1 mean?

This verse asks two rhetorical questions. These are meant to imply that wisdom is not some far-off or unattainable thing. Rather, daily life and experience should inspire everyone to seek wisdom, and to see its benefits. The female personification of wisdom here contrasts sharply with the prostitute (Proverbs 7:10) who went into the streets in search of the foolish young man whom she seduced. The adulteress woman wanted to draw her victim into evil, but wisdom personified as a woman wants to help those who heed her call. She has many benefits that she wants to impart.

The Bible offers an ongoing invitation to sinful men and women to be wise and believe on Jesus for salvation. The wisdom of God is found in Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." After describing the wisdom of the world as opposing God, the apostle Paul identified Christ as wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30). The Lord counsels in Jeremiah 9:23–24: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me." The Bible calls upon us to find true wisdom in the Lord!