Proverbs 24:4 kjv
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:4 nkjv
By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:4 niv
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Proverbs 24:4 esv
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:4 nlt
Through knowledge its rooms are filled
with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
Proverbs 24 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth... so your barns will be filled... | Financial blessings from honoring God. |
| Prov 3:13-16 | Blessed is the one who finds wisdom... more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. | Wisdom is more valuable than material wealth, bringing riches and honor. |
| Prov 8:10-11 | Choose my instruction instead of silver... wisdom is more precious than rubies... | Instruction and wisdom are true riches. |
| Prov 8:18-21 | With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold... so that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth... | Wisdom itself produces wealth and prosperity. |
| Prov 9:1-6 | Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars... | Wisdom personified builds a lasting dwelling. |
| Prov 14:1 | The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. | Wise living builds a stable household. |
| Prov 15:6 | In the house of the righteous there is great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. | Righteousness brings true treasure. |
| Prov 21:20 | Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows them up. | Wise people store valuable provisions. |
| Prov 22:4 | The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. | Fear of the Lord brings abundant blessings. |
| Prov 24:3 | By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; | Preceding verse; sequential development of wisdom, understanding, knowledge. |
| Prov 28:19 | Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. | Diligent, informed labor leads to abundance. |
| Deut 8:18 | But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... | God provides the capacity for prosperity. |
| Deut 28:8 | The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all that you undertake... | God blesses the material provisions. |
| Psa 112:3 | Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. | Prosperity as a result of righteous living. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... | True wisdom guides towards eternal riches. |
| Matt 13:44 | The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field... | Spiritual knowledge as invaluable treasure. |
| Luke 12:21 | This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God. | Spiritual riches are superior to material. |
| Eph 3:16-19 | I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. | Spiritual knowledge leading to divine fullness. |
| Col 2:2-3 | My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Full understanding in Christ brings rich knowledge. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault... | Wisdom is given by God for practical living. |
| Jas 3:17 | But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peaceloving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. | Characteristics of true, godly wisdom. |
| 2 Pet 1:5-8 | For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful... | Growth in knowledge leads to fruitful living. |
| 2 Pet 3:18 | But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. | Continuous growth in divine knowledge is vital. |
Proverbs 24 verses
Proverbs 24 4 Meaning
Proverbs 24:4 articulates the third stage in building and establishing a life or household founded on divine principles. Following the acquisition of wisdom to build the structure itself and understanding to establish its stability, knowledge then ensures the interior is filled with substantial and desirable abundance. This signifies that true knowledge, derived from God's Word and applied skillfully, leads to holistic prosperity—encompassing material provisions, spiritual fulfillment, and deep satisfaction within one's dwelling and life. It portrays the fruitfulness and comfort that are natural outcomes when life is ordered by discernment and informed action.
Proverbs 24 4 Context
Proverbs 24, often identified as "Further Sayings of the Wise," continues the book's didactic emphasis on the practical application of wisdom to daily life. Verses 3 and 4 form a cohesive couplet that metaphorically describes the building and equipping of a stable, prosperous household or a well-ordered life. Verse 3 states that "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established," providing the structural foundation and stability. Verse 4 then builds on this, showing that once built and established, knowledge is what fills these spaces with valuables. The context within chapter 24 further includes exhortations against envying wicked men, advice on righteous judgment, the strength derived from wisdom, and the importance of diligence in labor (v. 27). This illustrates how wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are not abstract concepts but tangible tools for navigating life successfully and securing well-being. Historically, the "house" (bayith) often signified not just a physical dwelling but an entire family unit, household, or even a lineage, thus extending the meaning beyond mere physical prosperity to include communal well-being and inheritance.
Proverbs 24 4 Word analysis
- By knowledge (בְּדַ֖עַת - bəḏa‘aṯ): The Hebrew word da'at (דעת) comes from the root yada, meaning "to know." However, in biblical usage, especially in Proverbs, da'at denotes more than mere intellectual recognition; it implies practical discernment, skilled application, and deep, experiential understanding that influences moral and practical choices. It signifies comprehensive insight and wise action informed by a deeper grasp of truth, often covenantal knowledge of God and His ways. This term marks the culminating stage of the building process (wisdom, understanding, knowledge), signifying the practical 'how-to' that results in fruitfulness.
- the rooms (חֲדָרִֽים - hâdârîm): The plural noun hâdârîm (חדרים) refers to "rooms" or "chambers," specifically suggesting inner or private chambers, often used for storage of valuables or for personal retreat. In the context of a household, these would be the places where wealth, provisions, and treasured items were kept. Their being filled points to internal richness and secured resources, moving beyond the external structure of the house (built by wisdom, established by understanding) to its substantial contents.
- are filled (יִמָּֽלְאוּ - yim·mā·lə·'ū): From the verb maleh (מָלֵא), meaning "to be full, to fill, to complete, to satisfy." The passive form "are filled" suggests a natural, often overflowing consequence. It implies abundance and a state of complete provisioning, not just meager provision but comprehensive satisfaction.
- with all (כָּל־ - kol-): The Hebrew word kol (כל) means "all, every, whole, total." It emphasizes the comprehensive and complete nature of the riches, indicating that nothing of value or delight is missing.
- precious (יָקָ֥ר - yāqār): The adjective yaqar (יקר) signifies "costly, valuable, rare, precious, esteemed." It denotes high worth and intrinsic quality, suggesting items that are not easily acquired or are of great importance. This points to the quality of the abundance.
- and pleasant (וְנָעִֽים - vənā‘îm): The adjective na'im (נעים) means "pleasant, delightful, agreeable, lovely." This adds a qualitative dimension of enjoyment and satisfaction to the riches. The treasures are not merely valuable but also bring delight and comfort to the owner.
- riches (ה֝וֹן - hôn): The noun hon (הון) refers to "wealth, substance, possessions, resources." While it can include material wealth, in the broader wisdom literature, hon often encompasses a holistic sense of resources for life, well-being, security, and prosperity. It represents the tangible outcome of wisely applied knowledge.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- By knowledge the rooms are filled: This phrase establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Practical, discerning knowledge is the agent by which the internal spaces (whether of a home or a life) are abundantly supplied. It highlights the functional aspect of wisdom and understanding – not just theoretical but leading to tangible outcomes.
- with all precious and pleasant riches: This descriptive phrase characterizes the nature of the abundance. It is comprehensive ("all"), highly valuable and esteemed ("precious"), and brings joy and contentment ("pleasant"). This conveys that the result of knowledge is not merely accumulation, but an overflow of high-quality, delightful resources that contribute to well-being.
Proverbs 24 4 Bonus section
This proverb subtly contrasts the diligent pursuit of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge with the instability and eventual emptiness of a life lived foolishly (Prov 14:1). The imagery of filling "rooms" underscores not just external prosperity but an inward sense of security and provision, as valuable resources were historically stored in secure inner chambers. It points to a deep and comprehensive well-being, touching upon intellectual, spiritual, and relational "riches" as much as material ones. The proverb emphasizes that true prosperity is an internal as well as an external condition, resulting from careful thought and skillful execution in line with divine principles.
Proverbs 24 4 Commentary
Proverbs 24:4 vividly illustrates that living wisely is a progressive endeavor with bountiful results. It completes the triad initiated in verse 3, where wisdom (skill in living) builds the foundation and understanding (discernment) provides stability. Then, knowledge—the practical application of discerning wisdom—becomes the means by which the innermost parts of one's "house" (be it a literal home, a family, or one's inner life) are filled. These are not just any possessions but "precious and pleasant riches," denoting items of both significant value and deep personal delight. This verse assures that those who pursue and apply true knowledge, especially knowledge rooted in God's truth, will experience a life that is secure, abundant, and deeply satisfying, far beyond mere material gain. For example, diligent study and training (knowledge) in a valuable skill can fill a person's life with professional opportunities (precious riches) and job satisfaction (pleasant riches); or a deep, growing understanding of Scripture (knowledge) can fill one's heart with peace, joy, and spiritual assurance (precious and pleasant spiritual riches).