Proverbs 3:16 kjv
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Proverbs 3:16 nkjv
Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.
Proverbs 3:16 niv
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Proverbs 3:16 esv
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Proverbs 3:16 nlt
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
Proverbs 3 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:40 | "...observe His statutes and His commandments... that you may prolong your days..." | Longevity through obedience to God's law. |
| Deut 5:33 | "...that you may live and... that you may prolong your days..." | Long life granted for following God's commands. |
| Exod 20:12 | "...Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long..." | Long life tied to specific commandment. |
| Psa 91:16 | "With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation." | God promises long life to the faithful. |
| Prov 8:18 | "Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness." | Wisdom explicitly states she possesses riches and honor. |
| Prov 22:4 | "The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life." | Rewards for righteous living include riches, honor, life. |
| 1 Kgs 3:13 | "I have also given you... both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you..." | Solomon received riches, honor, and a long reign because he sought wisdom. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Prioritizing God's will results in provision for earthly needs. |
| 1 Tim 4:8 | "...godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." | Godliness brings benefits both earthly and eternal. |
| Jas 1:5 | "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously..." | God is the source of all wisdom. |
| Col 2:3 | "...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." | All wisdom ultimately found in Christ. |
| John 10:10 | "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." | Christ offers an abundant life, far beyond mere existence. |
| Prov 10:22 | "It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it." | True wealth comes from God's blessing. |
| Prov 11:4 | "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death." | Emphasizes the ultimate value of righteousness over temporal riches. |
| Prov 13:21 | "Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity." | Righteous living leads to prosperity. |
| Prov 19:23 | "The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied..." | Revering God results in a fulfilling life. |
| Prov 21:21 | "He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor." | Seeking virtue brings life, righteousness, and honor. |
| Psa 112:3 | "Wealth and riches are in his house, And his righteousness endures forever." | Blessings of wealth upon the righteous. |
| Prov 1:33 | "But whoever listens to me will live securely, And will be at ease from the dread of evil." | Wisdom provides security and peace. |
| Prov 9:11 | "For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life added to you." | Direct promise of extended life through wisdom. |
| Prov 14:27 | "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death." | Fear of the Lord protects life. |
| Deut 30:19-20 | "...choose life, by loving the Lord your God... for He is your life and the length of your days..." | God Himself is the source of life and longevity. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... I will open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows." | Obedience in giving leads to overflowing blessings. |
Proverbs 3 verses
Proverbs 3 16 Meaning
Proverbs 3:16 elucidates the comprehensive blessings that accompany the acquisition and application of divine Wisdom. It portrays Wisdom as a beneficent provider, holding the greatest of human desires—a full and prolonged life—in her primary position, the right hand. In her secondary position, the left hand, she bestows material prosperity and an esteemed reputation. This verse underscores that seeking wisdom from God is the most fruitful pursuit, leading to a flourishing existence that encompasses longevity, wealth, and honor, not as ends in themselves, but as results of a life aligned with God's principles.
Proverbs 3 16 Context
Proverbs chapter 3 is a fervent exhortation from a father to his son to embrace and diligently seek wisdom, trust in the Lord, and live righteously. It establishes wisdom not as mere intellectual knowledge, but as an active, God-fearing approach to life that shapes character and actions. Verses 13-18 specifically extol wisdom's inestimable value, portraying her as more precious than earthly treasures (vv. 13-15). Verse 16 builds on this, detailing the tangible, yet spiritual, rewards that wisdom bestows. Historically, wisdom literature in the ancient Near East often presented principles for success and a good life. However, Proverbs uniquely roots these blessings in YHWH's divine wisdom, making a clear distinction from humanistic or polytheistic concepts of prosperity derived from personal cleverness or appeasing various deities. The promise of "length of days" resonates with long-standing biblical covenant blessings for obedience (e.g., in Deuteronomy) and contrasts with the brevity and sorrow of life lived outside God's ways.
Proverbs 3 16 Word analysis
- Length of days:
ʾōrek yāmîm(אוֹרֶךְ יָמִים). This phrase signifies more than mere longevity or extended lifespan. It speaks to a full, meaningful, and well-lived life, characterized by satisfaction and well-being, free from premature demise due to folly or sin. In the biblical context, long life is often associated with blessing and covenant faithfulness. - Is in her right hand:
bîmînāh(בִּימִינָהּ). The "right hand" (יְמִינָהּ - yeminah) holds significant cultural and symbolic weight in Hebrew thought. It represents primary strength, authority, honor, favor, and the principal place of blessing. The most important gifts of wisdom – abundant life – are held in this position. It suggests priority and the greatest value. - In her left hand:
biśmōʾlāh(בִּשְׂמֹאלָהּ). The "left hand" (שְׂמֹאלָהּ - s'mola`h) while traditionally considered secondary to the right hand in terms of prestige or power, still denotes significance and the bestowal of gifts. It is not an indication of lesser value for riches and honor, but perhaps suggests that life itself is the preeminent gift, with wealth and esteem following as secondary, though still profound, benefits. It may imply a different category of blessing rather than a diminished one. - Riches:
ʿōšer(עֹשֶׁר). This refers to material wealth, prosperity, and abundance. While some ancient wisdom traditions might chase wealth as an ultimate goal, in Proverbs, true wealth is a byproduct of divine wisdom, always subservient to righteousness and a relationship with God. It implies prosperity that is genuinely beneficial, not sorrowful (Prov 10:22). - And honor:
kāvôd(כָּבוֹד). This term means glory, dignity, reputation, and respect. It signifies standing, influence, and recognition within the community. For a godly individual, this honor stems not from worldly achievement or self-promotion, but from living according to wisdom's principles, reflecting God's character.
Proverbs 3 16 Bonus section
The emphasis on both hands reflects the completeness of Wisdom's provision – she does not give a half-measure of blessing. The imagery might also subtly imply a hierarchy of blessings: while wealth and honor are desirable, true life, in its fullest and most prolonged sense, holds precedence. This contrasts with secular wisdom that might prioritize material gain over quality of life or spiritual well-being. Furthermore, the "riches and honor" promised are not necessarily instant or guaranteed to all in the same measure, but represent a general principle of God's blessing on wisdom-filled living. Ultimately, all benefits proceed from the Lord, with Wisdom serving as the divinely appointed conduit. The passage anticipates that the wisdom mentioned is Christ Jesus (1 Cor 1:30), who brings truly abundant and eternal life (John 10:10).
Proverbs 3 16 Commentary
Proverbs 3:16 succinctly encapsulates the tangible, earthly blessings that flow from embracing and embodying divine wisdom. It paints a picture of wisdom personified as a benevolent queen, extending invaluable gifts from both hands. In her prominent right hand, she offers length of days, signifying not merely a prolonged existence, but a life full of quality, satisfaction, and divine favor – a well-lived, complete life under God's guidance. This primary blessing aligns with numerous Old Testament promises connecting obedience and faithfulness to longevity and wellbeing (Deut 4:40, Exod 20:12). In her left hand, Wisdom dispenses riches and honor. These are not worldly treasures sought for their own sake, but blessings bestowed by God that enhance one's earthly experience and standing. The wisdom of God ensures that these gifts are given with His blessing, free from the anxieties and pitfalls often associated with ill-gotten gains (Prov 10:22). The verse emphasizes that wisdom is the fount from which both ultimate life satisfaction and secondary, though desirable, earthly advantages emerge. It encourages prioritizing a heart devoted to God's wisdom, trusting that material and reputational blessings will naturally follow as part of God's holistic provision for the wise.
- Examples:
- A student consistently applies biblical diligence and integrity in their studies, finding not only academic success (honor) but also inner peace and long-term health from wise living (length of days).
- A business person conducts affairs with integrity and ethical practices (wisdom), and in doing so, earns trust and a solid reputation (honor), which over time, often leads to stable and increasing financial prosperity (riches).