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Proverbs 3:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— How happy the man who hath found wisdom, and the man who draweth forth understanding,
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— O the happiness of a man [who] hath found wisdom, And of a man [who] bringeth forth understanding.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and is rich in prudence:
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome, and the man that getteth vnderstanding.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisedome, and the man [that] getteth vnderstanding.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the son of the man who finds understanding.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the mortal who knows prudence.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
Happy 835
{0835} Prime
אֶשֶׁר
'esher
{eh'-sher}
From H0833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!.
[is] the man 120
{0120} Prime
אָדָם
'adam
{aw-dawm'}
From H0119; ruddy, that is, a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.).
[that] findeth 4672
{4672} Prime
מָצָא
matsa'
{maw-tsaw'}
A primitive root; properly to come forth to, that is, appear or exist; transitively to attain, that is, find or acquire; figuratively to occur, meet or be present.
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
wisdom, 2451
{2451} Prime
חָכְמָה
chokmah
{khok-maw'}
From H2449; wisdom (in a good sense).
and the man 120
{0120} Prime
אָדָם
'adam
{aw-dawm'}
From H0119; ruddy, that is, a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.).
[that] getteth 6329
{6329} Prime
פּוּק
puwq
{pook}
A primitive root (rather identical with H6328 through the idea of dropping out; compare H5312); to issue, that is, furnish; causatively to secure; figuratively to succeed.
z8686
<8686> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Imperfect (See H8811)
Count - 4046
understanding. 8394
{8394} Prime
תָּבוּן
tabuwn
{taw-boon'}
The second and third forms being feminine; from H0995; intelligence; by implication an argument; by extension caprice.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Proverbs 3:13

_ _ findeth — literally, “reaches,” or “obtains by seeking.”

_ _ getteth — literally, “draws out,” as metals by digging.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Proverbs 3:13-20

_ _ Solomon had pressed us earnestly to seek diligently for wisdom (Proverbs 2:1, etc.), and had assured us that we should succeed in our sincere and constant pursuits. But the question is, What shall we get by it when we have found it? Prospect of advantage is the spring and spur of industry; he therefore shows us how much it will be to our profit, laying this down for an unquestionable truth, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, that true wisdom which consists in the knowledge and love of God, and an entire conformity to all the intentions of his truths, providences, and laws. Now observe,

_ _ I. What it is to find wisdom so as to be made happy by it.

_ _ 1. We must get it. He is the happy man who, having found it, makes it his own, gets both an interest in it and the possession of it, who draws out understanding (so the word it), that is, (1.) Who derives it from God. Having it not in himself, he draws it with the bucket of prayer from the fountain of all wisdom, who gives liberally. (2.) Who takes pains for it, as he does who draws ore out of the mine. It if do not come easily, we must put the more strength to draw it. (3.) Who improves in it, who, having some understanding, draws it out by growing in knowledge and making five talents ten. (4.) Who does good with it, who draws out from the stock he has, as wine from the vessel, and communicates to others, for their instruction, things new and old. That is well got, and to good purpose, that is thus used to good purpose.

_ _ 2. We must trade for it. We read here of the merchandise of wisdom, which intimates, (1.) That we must make it our business, and not a by-business, as the merchant bestows the main of his thoughts and time upon his merchandise. (2.) That we must venture all in it, as a stock in trade, and be willing to part with all for it. This is that pearl of great price which, when we have found it, we must willingly sell all for the purchase of, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:46. Buy the truth, (Proverbs 23:23); he does not say at what rate, because we must buy it at any rate rather than miss it.

_ _ 3. We must lay hold on it as we lay hold on a good bargain when it is offered to us, which we do the more carefully if there be danger of having it taken out of our hands. We must apprehend with all our might, and put forth our utmost vigour in the pursuit of it, lay hold on all occasions to improve in it, and catch at the least of its dictates.

_ _ 4. We must retain it. It is not enough to lay hold on wisdom, but we must keep our hold, hold it fast, with a resolution never to let it go, but to persevere in the ways of wisdom to the end. We must sustain it (so some read it), must embrace it with all our might, as we do that which we would sustain. We must do all we can to support the declining interests of religion in the places where we live.

_ _ II. What the happiness of those is who do find it.

_ _ 1. It is a transcendent happiness, more than can be found in the wealth of this world, if we had ever so much of it, Proverbs 3:14, Proverbs 3:15. It is not only a surer, but a more gainful merchandise to trade for wisdom, for Christ, and grace, and spiritual blessings, than for silver, and gold, and rubies. Suppose a man to have got these in abundance, nay, to have all the things he can desire of this world (and who is it that ever had?), yet, (1.) All this would not purchase heavenly wisdom; no, it would utterly be contemned; it cannot be gotten for gold, Job 28:15, etc. (2.) All this would not countervail the want of heavenly wisdom nor be the ransom of a soul lost by its own folly. (3.) All this would not make a man half so happy, no, not in this world, as those are who have true wisdom, though they have none of all these things. (4.) Heavenly wisdom will procure that for us, and secure that to us, which silver, and gold, and rubies, will not be the purchase of.

_ _ 2. It is a true happiness; for it is inclusive of, and equivalent to, all those things which are supposed to make men happy, Proverbs 3:16, Proverbs 3:17. Wisdom is here represented as a bright and bountiful queen, reaching forth gifts to her faithful and loving subjects, and offering them to all that will submit to her government. (1.) Is length of days a blessing? Yes, the most valuable; life includes all good, and therefore she offers that in her right hand. Religion puts us into the best methods of prolonging life, entitles us to the promises of it, and, though our days on earth should be no more than our neighbour's, yet it will secure to us everlasting life in a better world. (2.) Are riches and honour accounted blessings? They are so, and them she reaches out with her left hand. For, as she is ready to embrace those that submit to her with both arms, so she is ready to give out to them with both hands. They shall have the wealth of this world as far as Infinite Wisdom sees good for them; while the true riches, by which men are rich towards God, are secured to them. Nor is there any honour, by birth or preferment, comparable to that which attends religion; it makes the righteous more excellent than his neighbour, recommends men to God, commands respect and veneration with all the sober part of mankind, and will in the other world make those that are now buried in obscurity to shine forth as the sun. (3.) Is pleasure courted as much as any thing? It is so, and it is certain that true piety has in it the greatest true pleasure. Her ways are ways of pleasantness; the ways in which she has directed us to walk are such as we shall find abundance of delight and satisfaction in. All the enjoyments and entertainments of sense are not comparable to the pleasure which gracious souls have in communion with God and doing good. That which is the only right way to bring us to our journey's end we must walk in, fair or foul, pleasant or unpleasant; but the way of religion, as it is the right way, so it is a pleasant way; it is smooth and clean, and strewed with roses: All her paths are peace. There is not only peace in the end, but peace in the way; not only in the way of religion in general, but in the particular paths of that way, in all her paths, all the several acts, instances, and duties of it. One does not embitter what the other sweetens, as it is with the allays of this world; but they are all peace, not only sweet, but safe. The saints enter into peace on this side heaven, and enjoy a present sabbatism.

_ _ 3. It is the happiness of paradise (Proverbs 3:18): She is a tree of life. True grace is that to the soul which the tree of life would have been, from which our first parents were shut out for eating of the forbidden tree. It is a seed of immortality, a well of living waters, springing up to life eternal. It is an earnest of the New Jerusalem, in the midst of which is the tree of life, Revelation 22:2; Revelation 2:7. Those that feed and feast on this heavenly wisdom shall not only be cured by it of every fatal malady, but shall find an antidote against age and death; they shall eat and live for ever.

_ _ 4. It is a participation of the happiness of God himself, for wisdom is his everlasting glory and blessedness, Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 3:20. This should make us in love with the wisdom and understanding which God gives, that the Lord by wisdom founded the earth, so that it cannot be removed, nor can ever fail of answering all the ends of its creation, to which it is admirably and unexceptionably fitted. By understanding he has likewise established the heavens and directed all the motions of them in the best manner. The heavenly bodies are vast, yet there is no flaw in them — numerous, yet no disorder in them — the motion rapid, yet no wear or tear; the depths of the sea are broken up, and thence come the waters beneath the firmament, and the clouds drop down the dews, the waters from above the firmament, and all this by the divine wisdom and knowledge; therefore happy is the man that finds wisdom, for he will thereby be thoroughly furnished for every good word and work. Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made and still consist; happy therefore are those to whom he is made of God wisdom, for he has wherewithal to make good all the foregoing promises of long life, riches, and honour; for all the wealth of heaven, earth, and seas, is his.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Proverbs 3:13

Findeth — Which supposes his diligent searching for it.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

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Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
is the:

Proverbs 4:5-9 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ... She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
Proverbs 8:32-35 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways. ... For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
1 Kings 10:1-9 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. ... Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
1 Kings 10:23-24 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. ... And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
Ecclesiastes 9:15-18 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. ... Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

getteth:
Heb. draweth out,
Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures;
Proverbs 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

1K 10:1, 23. Pv 2:4; 4:5; 8:32; 18:1. Ec 9:15.

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