King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Long life is in her right hand, riches and honor in her left.
Berean Standard Bible:
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
American Standard Version:
Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Length{H753} of days{H3117} is in her right hand{H3225}; and in her left hand{H8040} riches{H6239} and honour{H3519}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 3:2
- For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
2 Corinthians 6:10
- As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
Proverbs 22:4
- ¶ By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.
1 Timothy 4:8
- For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
1 Kings 3:13
- And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
1 Corinthians 3:21
- ¶ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1 Corinthians 3:23
- And ye are Christ's; and Christ [is] God's.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 3:16
Proverbs 3:16 is part of a larger section in the book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. This verse continues the personification of wisdom as a woman that begins in Proverbs 3:13, extolling the virtues of wisdom and comparing her to precious jewels and valuables.
The historical context of Proverbs is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, where wisdom was highly valued and sought after as a means to live a successful and righteous life. The themes of this verse emphasize the benefits of wisdom, suggesting that wisdom offers a long life ("length of days") in her right hand, symbolizing her primary gift, while in her left hand, she offers "riches and honour," secondary but still significant rewards.
In a broader sense, Proverbs 3:16 conveys that wisdom is not only about intellectual understanding but also about the practical application of knowledge that leads to a well-lived life. The verse implies that pursuing wisdom can result in both longevity and prosperity, which were highly prized in the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel. It speaks to the idea that wisdom is a path to a good life, encompassing not just material wealth but also the respect and dignity that come with living wisely. The verse encourages the reader to value and seek wisdom above all else, promising that wisdom will lead to a life that is both long and filled with the blessings of wealth and honor.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H753
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹרֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼôrek
Pronunciation: o'rek'
Description: from אָרַךְ; length; [phrase] forever, length, long. - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H3225
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָמִין
Transliteration: yâmîyn
Pronunciation: yaw-meen'
Description: from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south; [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. - Strong's Number: H8040
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׂמֹאול
Transliteration: sᵉmôʼwl
Pronunciation: sem-ole'
Description: or שְׂמֹאל; a primitive word (rather perhaps from the same as שִׂמְלָה (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand; left (hand, side). - Strong's Number: H6239
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹשֶׁר
Transliteration: ʻôsher
Pronunciation: o'-sher
Description: from עָשַׁר; wealth; [idiom] far (richer), riches. - Strong's Number: H3519
There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּבוֹד
Transliteration: kâbôwd
Pronunciation: kaw-bode'
Description: rarely כָּבֹד; from כָּבַד; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).