Proverbs 4:9 kjv

She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Proverbs 4:9 nkjv

She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

Proverbs 4:9 niv

She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown."

Proverbs 4:9 esv

She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."

Proverbs 4:9 nlt

She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown."

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 9 Meaning

Proverbs 4:9 illustrates the profound benefit of embracing wisdom, personified as a graceful lady. It promises that wisdom itself will bestow dignity and honor upon the one who pursues her. She will crown the individual's life with both inward grace and outward glory, signifying respect, beauty of character, and enduring reputation. This adornment by wisdom surpasses any earthly ornamentation, granting divine favor and public acclaim rooted in righteous living.

Proverbs 4 9 Context

Proverbs chapter 4 serves as a heartfelt exhortation from a father to his son, urging him to pursue wisdom as the most vital possession in life. Solomon recounts the wisdom he received from his own father, David, and passionately passes on this tradition of instruction. The chapter contrasts the path of the righteous, which is like the dawn, ever-increasing in light, with the path of the wicked, which is darkness and stumbling. Verse 9 is part of a series of direct benefits promised to those who embrace, love, and follow wisdom's teachings (Prov 4:6-9). It emphasizes the honor and glory that are an inherent part of living wisely. Historically and culturally, a "crown" or "garland" in the ancient Near East was a powerful symbol of royalty, victory, festive celebration, honor, and status. It signified distinction and public recognition, often worn by kings, victors, or priests.

Proverbs 4 9 Word analysis

• She: Refers to wisdom (חָכְמָה - chakmah), personified as a female figure. This feminine personification of wisdom is central to Proverbs (e.g., Prov 1:20-33, 8:1-36, 9:1-6), depicting her as active, alluring, and bountiful.
• shall give: The Hebrew verb for "give" is implied from the preceding verb for "she shall crown" or "bestow." Wisdom actively bestows these blessings.
• thy head: The head is symbolically the seat of intellect, authority, and the very identity of a person. It is the most visible part of the body, signifying the public nature of the honor.
• a garland (לִוְיַת - liwyath): Means a wreath, chaplet, or circlet. It implies adornment and festive beauty, often worn for special occasions or as a sign of distinction. It suggests beauty and grace.
• of grace (חֵן - chen): Grace, favor, charm, elegance. This suggests an inner beauty, a divine favor that radiates outward, making the person lovely and highly regarded not just physically but in character. It indicates attractiveness that comes from wisdom, not superficiality.
• a crown (עֲטֶרֶת - 'ateret): A more formal, significant crown than a garland, often associated with royalty, authority, or triumphant victory. It denotes lasting honor, dignity, and perhaps even moral authority.
• of glory (תִּפְאֶרֶת - tiphereth): Glory, splendor, beauty, honor, or adornment. This word speaks to an elevated status, recognition, and public esteem. It signifies a radiating dignity that comes from a life lived wisely, reflecting God's own glory.
• shall she deliver: Wisdom not only gives but delivers or bestows these things directly and consistently.

Words-group analysis

• "She shall give thy head a garland of grace": This phrase emphasizes that wisdom bestows upon the individual's mind and very being an adornment of divine favor and intrinsic loveliness. It's an inner transformation and beautification that makes one attractive and respectable in a profound way. This "garland" suggests beauty that stems from a gracious character molded by wisdom.
• "a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee": This builds upon the previous idea, indicating a higher level of public honor and lasting renown. The "crown" denotes a majestic, enduring, and recognized status, a form of spiritual royalty. The "glory" implies not just human respect, but a reflection of divine attributes and purpose in one's life. This crown is an outward testimony to the wisdom held within.
• The parallelism of "garland of grace" and "crown of glory": This poetic structure highlights two dimensions of wisdom's reward. The "garland of grace" suggests personal elegance, favor, and intrinsic worth derived from living wisely. The "crown of glory" signifies outward honor, public respect, and lasting renown. Together, they demonstrate that wisdom provides both inner beauty/divine favor and external recognition/dignity.

Proverbs 4 9 Bonus section

• The passage links deeply with the concept of wisdom as God's attribute and a path to a godly life, implying that the "grace" and "glory" bestowed are ultimately derived from divine blessing.
• The use of "crown" echoes a common theme in the Bible where rewards for faithfulness or righteousness are symbolized by crowns, suggesting a spiritual inheritance and enduring reward (e.g., "crown of life," "crown of righteousness," "crown of glory").
• This verse can be seen as an antithesis to the fleeting allure of sin and folly, which often promise temporary pleasure but ultimately lead to shame and dishonor, contrasted with wisdom's promise of lasting honor.
• The "garland of grace" implies that wisdom itself makes one delightful and favored, perhaps reflecting the favor of both God and man (cf. Prov 3:4).
• The adornment promised is not about self-aggrandizement but about being made beautiful and glorious by wisdom, shifting the focus from human effort to divine enablement through wisdom.

Proverbs 4 9 Commentary

Proverbs 4:9 concisely captures the inherent and external rewards of wisdom. Wisdom, personified as a benevolent queen, adorns her followers not with perishable gold or fleeting recognition, but with something far more precious: an enduring "garland of grace" and a permanent "crown of glory." The "garland of grace" speaks to an inner spiritual beauty, a character imbued with divine favor, and an intrinsic charm that radiates from a wise heart. It's the winsome quality of life lived in accordance with God's principles. The "crown of glory" represents the outward and public acknowledgment of that inner excellence. It's the honor, respect, and good reputation that accrue to a person whose life reflects true wisdom. This isn't earned by striving for human praise, but is a natural outflow of a life dedicated to discerning God's will and living righteously. True glory is thus not sought but is bestowed by wisdom itself. For instance, someone consistently known for integrity and sound judgment often earns deep respect from others, far more meaningful than any title or fleeting fame. A person whose character embodies humility, wisdom, and genuine kindness carries an inherent dignity that shines brighter than any artificial adornment.