Proverbs 19:8 kjv

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

Proverbs 19:8 nkjv

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

Proverbs 19:8 niv

The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Proverbs 19:8 esv

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

Proverbs 19:8 nlt

To acquire wisdom is to love yourself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 8 Meaning

Proverbs 19:8 teaches that an individual who actively acquires and maintains wisdom and understanding demonstrates true love for their own well-being and will consequently experience a life filled with goodness and flourishing. It links the diligent pursuit of divine insight with the safeguarding of one's entire being and the promise of a beneficial outcome.

Proverbs 19 8 Context

Proverbs chapter 19 is a collection of various short proverbs that offer practical wisdom for daily living, contrasting the wise with the foolish, the righteous with the wicked, diligence with laziness, and truthfulness with deceit. It emphasizes the importance of good character and sensible behavior, often highlighting the direct consequences—both good and bad—that follow one's choices. This particular verse fits into a series of sayings that extol the value and benefits of wisdom and understanding, presenting them not merely as intellectual pursuits but as pathways to a blessed and prosperous life.

Historically, the book of Proverbs originated from a rich tradition of wisdom literature common in the ancient Near East, though distinctively Israelite due to its foundation in the "fear of the Lord" (Prov 1:7). The cultural context would have been one where wisdom was seen as essential for successful family life, community function, and even national stability. Proverbs, including this verse, provided moral instruction for young people entering adulthood, encouraging them to internalize principles that would lead to flourishing and avoid destructive paths. It does not engage in polemics against specific rival deities, but rather implicitly opposes the chaotic and self-destructive outcomes that result from living without divine wisdom, contrasting them with the orderly "good" (שָׁלוֹם - shalom, welfare) promised to the wise.

Proverbs 19 8 Word analysis

• He that getteth (קָנֶה - qaneh): From the verb qanah, meaning to acquire, buy, obtain, or create. This is not passive reception but an active, often diligent, effort, implying an investment. It suggests that wisdom is something one must strive for, pursue earnestly, and perhaps even pay a price for (cf. Prov 23:23 "Buy truth and do not sell it").
• wisdom (חָכְמָה - chokmah): This Hebrew term denotes practical skill, insight, prudence, and the ability to discern and apply knowledge for effective living. It is not mere intellectual acumen but refers to living skillfully in accordance with God's design and moral order. It involves right thinking leading to right action.
• loveth (אֹהֵב - ohev): From ahev, to love. This signifies a deep affection, valuing, and commitment. To love something means to delight in it, prioritize it, and devote oneself to it. Here, the object of love is the soul itself.
• his own soul (נַפְשׁוֹ - nafsho): Nefesh (soul/self/life) refers to the entire inner person, the core of one's being, one's very life force. It is not just about abstract intellect but the whole individual, including their desires, emotions, and future well-being. "Loving his own soul" in this context is true self-care, a healthy and spiritual concern for one's overall and ultimate well-being, as opposed to selfish gratification which can harm the soul. It's an understanding that what benefits the inner being ultimately benefits the outer life.
• he that keepeth (שׁוֹמֵר - shomer): From the verb shamar, meaning to guard, observe, preserve, watch over, heed, or retain. This implies sustained effort and faithfulness. It's not enough to gain wisdom; one must diligently protect it, meditate on it, and live by it. This is an ongoing process of spiritual vigilance.
• understanding (תְּבוּנָה - t'vunah): Discernment, insight, the ability to grasp relationships and implications, to distinguish between good and evil, truth and error. While chokmah is practical skill, t'vunah is the insight that provides the basis for that skill, helping one navigate complex situations. It’s the ability to break down information and see how things connect.
• shall find good (יִמְצָא־טוֹב - yimtza-tov): Yimtza means "he shall find" or "he shall obtain." Tov signifies goodness, welfare, benefit, prosperity, or well-being in a holistic sense. This refers to a positive outcome that results naturally from the wise path—a life that is ultimately satisfying, beneficial, and blessed, often including peace, success, and flourishing relationships. This good is God's intended outcome for His creation, accessible through living wisely.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: This phrase establishes a direct cause-and-effect. The act of acquiring wisdom is intrinsically linked to profound self-love. It highlights that true love for oneself isn't indulgence but investing in spiritual and moral growth. It implies that neglecting wisdom is a form of self-harm or self-neglect.
• he that keepeth understanding shall find good: This second clause reinforces the first and provides further assurance of the outcome. Not just initial acquisition, but ongoing maintenance and application of understanding are crucial. This commitment results in "finding good," indicating that divine wisdom leads to practical benefits and a life of favor and positive experiences. It speaks to the enduring nature of the reward for consistent diligence.

Proverbs 19 8 Bonus section

The concept of chokmah (wisdom) and t'vunah (understanding) in Proverbs is deeply connected to the "fear of the LORD" (Prov 1:7; 9:10), which is the true starting point for acquiring them. This implies that genuine wisdom is not merely intellectual, but rooted in reverent awe and submission to God, from whom all true knowledge flows. This fear then motivates the active pursuit (qanah) and diligent preservation (shamar) of divine insight. Moreover, the "good" (tov) found by the wise is an echo of God's original creation, which He declared "very good" (tov me'od) (Gen 1:31). Through wisdom, humans can participate in and experience the created order as God intended it. Some Christian scholars view wisdom personified in Proverbs 8 as a prefigurement of Jesus Christ (Col 2:3), meaning that ultimately, the truest way to "get wisdom" and "find good" is to seek Him.

Proverbs 19 8 Commentary

Proverbs 19:8 articulates a profound truth about human flourishing: it is inextricably linked to the diligent pursuit and preservation of wisdom and understanding. The verse presents wisdom, not as a lofty intellectual pursuit disconnected from daily life, but as a practical virtue essential for a well-lived existence. "Getteth wisdom" suggests an active, deliberate acquisition, much like a merchant invests to gain valuable merchandise. This isn't handed out freely; it requires effort, seeking, and learning from instruction (e.g., God's Word, parental guidance, life experiences). The payoff, according to the verse, is a deep, internal satisfaction: one "loveth his own soul." This is not self-indulgence but rather a genuine valuing and protection of one's core being, ensuring long-term spiritual, mental, and physical health. It is an acknowledgment that true well-being stems from alignment with divine principles, rather than worldly pursuits.

Furthermore, the parallel statement, "he that keepeth understanding shall find good," reinforces the concept of ongoing spiritual discipline. It’s not enough to gain insight; one must diligently guard it, apply it, and remain steadfast in its practice. This commitment to "keeping" understanding—treasuring it, acting upon it—promises a discovery of "good." This "good" (tov) is comprehensive, encompassing prosperity, welfare, satisfaction, and blessing in every sphere of life, both seen and unseen. It's a testament to the order that God has built into creation, where wise actions naturally yield beneficial consequences, while foolishness leads to ruin. The proverb thus encourages a lifestyle centered on seeking and living by divine wisdom as the surest path to genuine and lasting well-being.

• Example: A young person diligently studies the Scriptures (gets wisdom) and practices discernment in choosing friends and making life decisions (keeps understanding). As a result, they avoid many pitfalls and find stable relationships and opportunities for growth (finds good), demonstrating love for their own future self.
• Example: A leader consistently seeks counsel and prioritizes integrity and fair judgment (gets wisdom) and consistently applies those principles even in difficult circumstances (keeps understanding). Their organization flourishes, earns respect, and avoids scandal (finds good), thereby demonstrating wise self-governance.