Bible Strands
Proverbs 8:10
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Wisdom addresses the discerning reader, presenting her teaching as a direct alternative to accumulating material wealth.
The words — The imperative קְחֽוּ (ke.chu) commands "take," directing the listener to accept מוּסָרִי (mu.sa.Ri) "my discipline" over כֶּסֶף (kesef) "silver" and חָרוּץ נִבְחָר (charutz nivchar) "chosen gold."
The thread — This valuation of divine teaching over wealth echoes Psalms 119:72 and Psalms 119:127, where the psalmist explicitly ranks God's law above gold and silver. The passage also relates to Proverbs 2:4, which uses silver strictly as a simile for the intensity of seeking wisdom rather than as a comparative standard.
Why it lands — The text demands a conscious choice to prioritize understanding and instruction over the pursuit of precious metals.
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
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 2:4 if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,
- Psalms 119:72 The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
- Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.
- Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
- Proverbs 23:23 Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.
- Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
- Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
- Proverbs 16:16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
- Psalms 119:162 I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.