Bible Strands
Proverbs 2:3
if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The passage continues a pedagogical address directed to a learner, immediately following the command to incline one’s ear to wisdom and preceding the command to seek it like hidden treasure.
The words — The Hebrew employs תִקְרָא (tik.Ra’, “you will call”) and תִּתֵּן (ti.Ten, “you will give”) with קוֹלֶךָ (ko.Le./cha, “your voice”) to frame the pursuit of לַבִּינָה (la./bi.Nah, “discernment”) and לַתְּבוּנָה (la./te.vu.Nah, “understanding”) as an active, vocalized effort.
The thread — The conditional pattern of asking for wisdom appears in James 1:5, while the request for divine wisdom is framed as a prayer in Ephesians 1:17, and the broader posture of acknowledging God in one’s conduct is noted in Proverbs 3:6.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to move beyond passive reception to a deliberate, vocalized pursuit of discernment, treating understanding as an object to be actively sought rather than passively received.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Cross-references
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
- Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
- 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- Psalms 25:4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.
- Psalms 119:125 I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
- Psalms 119:169 May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
- 1 Chronicles 22:12 Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.
- Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
- Psalms 119:73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.