Proverbs is an exploration of wisdom, counsel, and knowledge. King Solomon, who has asked God for wisdom, and considered the wisest man to ever live, reveals his insights to the people of his day. As I read through these words of wisdom, I see he refers to wisdom as she, the feminine.
I felt this was extremely interesting, so rather than summarize this information, I have clipped some of the details for you to gain understanding from. (Taken from Bible Hub)
Overview of Proverbs 3:18
“Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.”
The verse culminates Solomon’s counsel by likening Wisdom to the Edenic “tree of life,” promising restoration and flourishing to everyone who “embraces” (Heb. ḥāzaq) her. Its feminine pronouns raise the question: why is Wisdom addressed as a woman?
Grammatical Foundation: The Feminine Noun ḥokmāh
- In Hebrew, ḥokmāh (חָכְמָה, wisdom) is a grammatically feminine noun; agreement requires feminine pronouns and verbs.
- Other abstract Hebrew nouns—ʾĕmûnāh (faithfulness), ṣĕdāqāh (righteousness)—receive the same treatment. The gendered grammar dictates, but does not exhaust, the personification.
Familial Contrast: Fatherly Instruction, Motherly Nurture
Proverbs couples “father’s command” with “mother’s teaching” (1:8; 6:20). Feminine Wisdom balances paternal discipline, reflecting God’s design for complementary influence (cf. Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 6:4). The maternal voice offers warmth, protection, and life—traits consistent with Proverbs 3:18’s image of life-giving fruit.
Spirit of God Correspondence
The Hebrew word rûaḥ (רוּחַ, Spirit) is also grammatically feminine. Jewish exegetes, later echoed by early Church writers (e.g., Theophilus of Antioch, Ad Autol. 2.10), noticed links between Wisdom and God’s Spirit (Proverbs 1:23; Isaiah 11:2). Feminine personification hints at the Spirit’s nurturing role without implying a separate deity.
Solomon uses both the beautiful attributes of feminine wisdom in his poetry and instruction, and as you will see below, he speaks about the worthless woman who is consumed with evil, the adulteress, gossiper, liar.