Bible Strands
Proverbs 3:14
for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses a student, continuing the personified description of Wisdom from Proverbs 3:13. This statement appears mid-instruction to ground the preceding blessing in tangible value.
The words — The Hebrew terms סַחְרָהּ (sachrah) and תְּבוּאָתָהּ (tevu'atah) denote commercial profit and agricultural harvest. טוֹב (tov) establishes her superior worth against כֶּסֶף (kesef) and חָרוּץ (chartzu), literally fine gold.
The thread — This economic metaphor recurs in Proverbs 16:16, which contrasts acquiring wisdom with gold and silver. It also echoes Proverbs 8:19, where Wisdom’s fruit and harvest surpass pure gold and choice silver, and aligns with Job 28:13’s assertion of wisdom’s inestimable value.
Why it lands — The text demands a practical evaluation of wisdom’s yield over material wealth. It requires the reader to prioritize understanding as a superior investment rather than a spiritual abstraction.
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
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
- Proverbs 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.
- Job 28:13 No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.
- Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
- 2 Chronicles 1:11 God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king—
- Psalms 119:111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
- Psalms 119:162 I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.
- Proverbs 2:4 if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,
- Proverbs 8:10 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
- Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?