Fragment on Proverbs

Name: Fragment on Proverbs
Author: Cyril of Alexandria

Fragmentum in Proverbia

Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444 AD) · written c. 412–444 AD · PG 69

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1Created means appointed when said of the divinity

Author

Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444 AD) — Bishop of Alexandria from 412. He led the case against Nestorius at the Council of Ephesus in 431, defending the title Mother of God and the single person of Christ, and wrote long commentaries on both Testaments.

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About this text

A few lines on "The Lord created me" in Proverbs 8:22, which Cyril says means "appointed me" when said of the Son's divinity.

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Translated from PG 69 (Greek)

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Created means appointed when said of the divinity§1

Cyril is opening his interpretation of Proverbs 8:22, explaining how the phrase 'The Lord created me' should be understood.

1"The Lord created me" (Proverbs 8:22). If you take "he created me" as referring to the divinity, it means "he appointed me." So too: "Create a clean heart in me, O God" (Psalm 50:12 LXX; Psalm 51:10 in modern Hebrew numbering). And: "that he might create the two in himself" (Ephesians 2:15). For it is not in essence that he might create those who had already come into being, but that he might appoint them. Therefore he appointed me as the beginning of his providential and creative works. And to David he says: "I was appointed king by him."

Greek · §1

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