Proverbs 3:18

She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.

She is a tree {H6086} of life {H2416} to them that lay hold {H2388} upon her: and happy {H833} is every one that retaineth {H8551} her.

She is a tree of life to those who grasp her; whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.

Proverbs 3:18 declares the profound benefits of embracing and holding fast to wisdom, personified as "she" throughout this chapter. This verse serves as a powerful summary of the blessings associated with living a life guided by divine insight.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Proverbs 3 where King Solomon, or a wise teacher, exhorts his "son" to value and pursue wisdom above all else. The preceding verses, such as Proverbs 3:13-17, describe wisdom's immense worth, stating that she is "more precious than rubies" and her ways are "ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Verse 18 then caps this description by using a potent metaphor to illustrate wisdom's life-giving qualities.

Key Themes

  • Wisdom as a "Tree of Life": This vivid imagery directly harks back to the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. In the biblical narrative, access to the Tree of Life symbolized eternal life and communion with God. By equating wisdom with this tree, the proverb suggests that true wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but a source of vitality, flourishing, and spiritual well-being, leading to a life that is truly abundant and enduring. This concept is also echoed in the future hope of believers having access to the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem.
  • The Importance of "Laying Hold" and "Retaining" Wisdom: The verse emphasizes active engagement. "Lay hold upon her" (Hebrew: machazikim) implies a firm grasp, a determined effort to acquire and embrace wisdom. "Retaineth her" (Hebrew: tomkheyha) suggests upholding, supporting, and clinging to wisdom throughout life. It's not enough to merely encounter wisdom; one must actively integrate it into their being and daily conduct.
  • The Promise of Happiness and Blessedness: The core message is that those who genuinely possess and live by wisdom are "happy" (Hebrew: 'ashrey, often translated as "blessed"). This is not fleeting pleasure but a deep, abiding contentment and prosperity that comes from aligning one's life with God's design. This blessedness is a recurring theme for those who follow God's instruction, as seen in Psalm 1:1.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "tree of life" (עֵץ חַיִּים - 'ets chayyim) is significant. It's used only a few times in the Old Testament outside of Genesis, primarily in Proverbs (e.g., Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 13:12, Proverbs 15:4), always denoting something that provides life, health, and vitality.
  • "Lay hold upon her" (מַחֲזִיקִים - machazikim) comes from a root meaning "to seize, to strengthen, to hold fast." It conveys a sense of active pursuit and firm possession.
  • "Retaineth her" (תּוֹמְכֶיהָ - tomkheyha) suggests "to support, to uphold, to grasp." It implies a continuous, sustained effort to live by and maintain wisdom's principles.

Practical Application

Proverbs 3:18 encourages believers today to actively seek and apply godly wisdom in all areas of life. This isn't about accumulating facts, but about discerning and living according to God's truth and principles. By making wisdom the foundation of our choices and actions, we can experience a profound sense of inner peace, joy, and spiritual vitality, even amidst life's challenges. To truly "lay hold" and "retain" wisdom means to diligently study God's Word, seek His guidance through prayer, and apply His teachings in our daily walk, leading to a truly blessed existence.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 11:30

    ¶ The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.

  • Proverbs 15:4

    ¶ A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

  • Genesis 2:9

    And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

  • Proverbs 13:12

    ¶ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.

  • Genesis 3:22

    ¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

  • Revelation 22:2

    In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.
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