Proverbs 8:19

My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

My fruit {H6529} is better {H2896} than gold {H2742}, yea, than fine gold {H6337}; and my revenue {H8393} than choice {H977} silver {H3701}.

My fruit is better than gold, fine gold, my produce better than the finest silver.

My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver.

Proverbs 8:19 is part of a powerful monologue by Lady Wisdom, who is personified to highlight the immense value and benefits of seeking and following wisdom. In this verse, she emphatically declares that what she offers is far superior to the most prized material possessions.

Context

Chapter 8 of Proverbs presents Lady Wisdom crying out to humanity, urging them to listen to her instruction and receive knowledge. She describes her noble origins, her role in creation, and the incredible blessings that come to those who find her. This verse comes after she has listed various virtues associated with her, such as truth, righteousness, discretion, and strength, setting the stage for her declaration of value.

Key Themes

  • The Surpassing Value of Wisdom: The central message is that wisdom's worth far exceeds that of any earthly treasure.
  • Wisdom's Rewards ("Fruit" and "Revenue"): The "fruit" and "revenue" represent the positive outcomes, benefits, and lasting rewards gained from living a life guided by wisdom.
  • Wisdom Versus Material Wealth: The verse draws a direct comparison between the ultimate material riches (gold, fine gold, choice silver) and the spiritual/intellectual wealth that wisdom provides, asserting wisdom's clear superiority.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "gold," "fine gold," and "choice silver" represent the highest forms of wealth and value in the ancient world. By contrasting her "fruit" and "revenue" with these, Lady Wisdom uses powerful imagery understandable to everyone to convey that the results of choosing wisdom are not merely good, but are infinitely more valuable than accumulating even the greatest material riches.

Reflection and Application

This verse challenges us to evaluate what we truly value. In a world often driven by the pursuit of wealth and material gain, Lady Wisdom's declaration reminds us that the lasting peace, understanding, discernment, and righteous living she offers are treasures that do not fade, cannot be stolen, and provide a return far greater than any financial investment. It calls us to prioritize seeking wisdom – which the Bible often equates with the knowledge of God and living according to His ways – above all other pursuits.

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 3:14

    For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

  • Proverbs 10:20

    ¶ The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of the wicked [is] little worth.

  • Proverbs 8:10

    Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:12

    For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

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