Proverbs 2:4 kjv
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Proverbs 2:4 nkjv
If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Proverbs 2:4 niv
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
Proverbs 2:4 esv
if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
Proverbs 2:4 nlt
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Proverbs 2 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:13 | Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, | Wisdom's blessedness |
| Prov 3:14 | for gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better... | Wisdom's superior value over silver and gold |
| Prov 3:15 | She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare... | Wisdom surpasses all desires and material riches |
| Prov 8:10 | Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, | Prioritize instruction over wealth |
| Prov 8:11 | for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot ... | Reaffirms wisdom's unmatched value |
| Prov 16:16 | How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be ... | Understanding is more valuable than chosen gold |
| Prov 23:23 | Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. | Acquire truth and wisdom at any cost, don't part with them |
| Matt 6:21 | For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. | Your heart follows your true treasure |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these ... | Prioritize seeking God's Kingdom and righteousness |
| Luke 12:34 | For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. | Echoes Matthew on heart's allegiance to treasure |
| Col 3:1 | If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above... | Seek heavenly things with diligence |
| Col 3:2 | Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. | Focus your mental efforts on eternal matters |
| Phil 3:7 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. | Valuing Christ above all worldly gain |
| Phil 3:8 | Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of ... | Knowing Christ is paramount to all else |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. | God promises to be found by those who seek Him whole-heartedly |
| Deut 4:29 | But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him ... | Seek God with all your heart and soul to find Him |
| 1 Chr 28:9 | If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will ... | Seeking God results in finding Him; forsaking Him results in abandonment |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; | Urges seeking God with urgency and persistence |
| Luke 11:9 | And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find... | God encourages asking, seeking, and knocking |
| Luke 11:10 | For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the ... | Reassurance that diligent seeking will result in finding |
| 2 Tim 2:15 | Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has ... | Diligent study and work for God's approval |
| Ps 119:2 | Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole... | Blessing on those who wholeheartedly seek God's testimonies |
| Matt 13:44 | The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man ... | Kingdom of Heaven is a hidden treasure worthy of giving all to obtain |
| Matt 13:45 | Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, | Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl of great value |
| Matt 13:46 | who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had ... | Sacrificing all to possess the ultimate value |
Proverbs 2 verses
Proverbs 2 4 Meaning
Proverbs 2:4 teaches that obtaining divine wisdom and understanding requires intense, diligent, and active pursuit, akin to seeking and valuing precious material wealth like silver and hidden treasures. It underscores that spiritual insight is not passively acquired but demands persistent effort and dedication from the seeker.
Proverbs 2 4 Context
Proverbs chapter 2 opens a father's profound instruction to his son regarding the immense value of wisdom and understanding. Verses 1-4 establish a conditional plea: if the son actively receives, stores, and cries out for wisdom and discernment (2:1-3), then he must pursue it with the intensity described in verse 4. This verse functions as the culmination of the "if" clauses, detailing the necessary human effort in seeking before God grants understanding. The overall context of the book of Proverbs is to impart "wisdom and instruction" (Prov 1:2) and lead to skillful living in God's ways, contrasting the path of the righteous with the path of the wicked. Historically, ancient Near Eastern cultures deeply valued precious metals and hidden hoards, making these tangible metaphors for an invisible but invaluable spiritual pursuit. This verse subtly contrasts the transient nature of material wealth, which can be stolen or lost, with the enduring and life-giving treasure of divine wisdom.
Proverbs 2 4 Word analysis
- if (אִם - ’im): A conditional particle, establishing that the subsequent promises and outcomes depend directly on the preceding and current actions. It highlights human responsibility in receiving and pursuing divine truth.
- you seek (תְבַקְשֶׁנָּה - tĕvaqqĕshennāh): From the Hebrew root בָּקַשׁ (baqash), meaning "to seek," "to search," "to inquire," "to desire," "to try to obtain." This word denotes active, deliberate, and earnest effort, not passive waiting. The suffix 'נָּה' refers to "wisdom" (חָכְמָה - chochmah) and "understanding" (תְּבוּנָה - tĕvunah) mentioned in the preceding verses (Prov 2:2-3).
- it: Refers directly to the "wisdom" and "understanding" called for in Proverbs 2:2-3. This "it" is the true subject of fervent seeking.
- as silver (כַּכָּסֶף - kaqqeseph): The prefix כְּ (kĕ) means "like" or "as." כֶּסֶף (keseph) means "silver." In the ancient world, silver was a primary measure of wealth, requiring considerable labor to mine, refine, and accumulate. It symbolizes high economic value and desirability. The comparison emphasizes that wisdom should be pursued with the same passion, labor, and estimation of worth as material riches.
- and search for it (וְתַחְפְּשֶׂנָּה - vĕtachpĕśennāh): From the Hebrew root חָפַשׂ (chaphas), meaning "to search out," "to scrutinize," "to examine closely," "to track down," "to explore thoroughly," often with the connotation of uncovering something hidden or previously unknown. This term implies an even more meticulous, investigative, and exhaustive search than baqash.
- as for hidden treasures (כַּמַּטְמוֹנִים - kammaṭmônîm): The prefix כְּ (kĕ) again means "like" or "as." מַטְמוֹנִים (maṭmônîm) refers to "hidden treasures," often buried during times of instability for safekeeping. Locating these required great effort, persistence, and often knowledge of specific clues. This simile intensifies the idea of seeking beyond just general commodities to something profoundly valuable, rare, and deeply concealed, necessitating extensive, arduous effort to discover.
- Words-group analysis:
- "if you seek it as silver and search for it as for hidden treasures": This parallelism employs two distinct, powerful analogies of highly valued earthly wealth. The doubling of synonyms for "seek" (baqash and chaphas) and wealth ("silver" and "hidden treasures") creates an intensified picture of vigorous, dedicated, and persistent pursuit. It moves from general seeking to thorough investigation, mirroring the effort required to uncover immensely valuable, hidden objects. The phrase is a profound call for proportionate spiritual effort matching the immense value of divine wisdom.
Proverbs 2 4 Bonus section
The active and persistent pursuit described in Proverbs 2:4 is the necessary human response that precedes the divine disclosure of wisdom (Proverbs 2:5-6). It implies a valuing of God's truth above all earthly desires and a willingness to expend time, energy, and resources in its pursuit. This wisdom, often understood as practical skill in living righteously, leads not merely to intellectual knowledge but to a transformative walk with God, providing protection and discernment in life's pathways (Prov 2:9-11). The ultimate "treasure" here is fellowship with God Himself, the fount of all true wisdom.
Proverbs 2 4 Commentary
Proverbs 2:4 encapsulates the demanding yet rewarding nature of spiritual enlightenment. It declares that divine wisdom is not effortlessly bestowed; rather, it is a treasure that must be actively and passionately sought. The double metaphors of "silver" and "hidden treasures" paint a vivid picture of the diligence and relentless effort required. Silver, in ancient times, represented the epitome of financial security and exchange, demanding hard labor to extract and refine. "Hidden treasures" imply wealth concealed with deliberate intent, requiring focused, persistent, and often arduous investigation to uncover. Thus, wisdom is presented as profoundly more valuable than any material gain, demanding the same, if not greater, dedication one would exert to obtain vast earthly riches. This verse serves as a crucial bridge between the condition of inclining one's ear and heart (vv. 2-3) and the divine consequence of finding the knowledge of God (v. 5). Practical application includes daily earnest study of God's Word, fervent prayer for understanding, and prioritizing spiritual truth over temporal concerns.