Amsal 8:27

8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there;

when he marked out the horizon ¹  over the face of the deep,

Amsal 8:29

8:29 when he gave the sea his decree

that the waters should not pass over his command, ² 

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

Amsal 28:15

28:15 Like ³  a roaring lion or a roving bear, ⁴ 

so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. ⁵ 

[8:27]  ¹ sn The infinitive construct בְּחוּקוֹ (bÿkhuqo, “to cut; to engrave; to mark”) and the noun חוּג (khug, “horizon; circle”) form a paronomasia in the line.

[8:29]  ² tn Heb “his mouth.”

[28:15]  ³ tn The term “like” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity and smoothness.

[28:15]  ⁴ sn The comparison uses animals that are powerful, terrifying, insensitive, and in search of prey. Because political tyrants are like this, animal imagery of this sort is also used in Dan 7:1-8 for the series of ruthless world powers.

[28:15]  ⁵ sn A poor nation under the control of political tyrants who are dangerous and destructive is helpless. The people of that nation will crumble under them because they cannot meet their demands and are of no use to them.