Proverbs 8:10 kjv

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Proverbs 8:10 nkjv

Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

Proverbs 8:10 niv

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

Proverbs 8:10 esv

Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,

Proverbs 8:10 nlt

Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.

Proverbs 8 verses

Proverbs 8 10 Meaning

Proverbs 8:10 is an urgent invitation from personified Wisdom, urging individuals to choose divine instruction and profound spiritual understanding over fleeting material wealth. It asserts that the intrinsic value of God's truth, discipline, and knowledge far surpasses the worth of any earthly treasure, even the purest and most esteemed forms of silver and gold. This verse calls for a radical realignment of human priorities, emphasizing that true and lasting riches are found in aligning one's life with God's wisdom.

Proverbs 8 10 Context

Proverbs chapter 8 presents a powerful personification of Wisdom (Hebrew: Ḥokhmah). Wisdom cries out publicly, in places of common access, beckoning all humanity to listen to her. She asserts her noble origins, her truthfulness, and her superior worth over all earthly riches. This chapter portrays Wisdom not merely as a human trait but as a divine attribute, deeply involved in God's creation of the cosmos, established before the beginning of the world. Verse 10 specifically is part of Wisdom's call for discernment and priority-setting. She offers herself, not as a burdensome task, but as the source of life, honor, riches, and enduring sustenance. The broader context of the Book of Proverbs constantly contrasts wisdom with folly, showing that wise living leads to life and blessing, while foolishness leads to death and ruin. In ancient Israel, wealth was often a sign of God's blessing, but Proverbs consistently clarifies that such blessings are subservient to true wisdom and righteousness, which originate from the fear of the Lord. The verse serves as a polemic against any worldview, then or now, that elevates material prosperity above moral truth and divine instruction.

Proverbs 8 10 Word analysis

• Receive: (Hebrew: laqaḥ, לָקַח) – This verb signifies taking, grasping, accepting, or acquiring. It implies an active and intentional choice to embrace and appropriate the instruction. It's not passive hearing but an embracing absorption into one's life.

• my instruction: (Hebrew: mūsār, מוּסָר) – Refers to moral discipline, training, chastening, or teaching. It often denotes the formative discipline imparted by parents or teachers. In this context, it is the corrective and guiding wisdom from God himself, intended to mold character and conduct.

• and not: This is an emphatic negation and conjunction, establishing a clear contrast and preference. It highlights that the choice is mutually exclusive – one must choose one over the other.

• silver: (Hebrew: keseph, כֶּסֶף) – A common and significant form of wealth, used for currency, valuable objects, and often a measure of prosperity in the ancient Near East. It represents earthly, tangible riches.

• and knowledge: (Hebrew: da'at, דַּעַת) – Denotes experiential knowledge, understanding, discernment, and often refers to knowledge of God or moral insight. It is not just intellectual awareness but a profound, lived apprehension of truth, leading to practical wisdom.

• rather than: Implies a preference or choice between two options, indicating that the preceding item (knowledge) is greatly preferred over the latter.

• choice gold: (Hebrew: baḥūr pāz, בָּחוּר פָּז) – Baḥūr means "chosen," "tested," "purest." Paz refers to pure or fine gold. This phrase denotes gold of the highest quality, most valuable, and free from impurities. It represents the pinnacle of earthly wealth and desirability.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Receive my instruction, and not silver": This pairing explicitly sets the divine and intangible (instruction) above the common, tangible, and highly valued material possession (silver). It underscores the active requirement to embrace Wisdom's discipline as a deliberate and superior alternative to pursuing general wealth.
  • "knowledge rather than choice gold": This deepens the contrast by comparing the most refined form of spiritual understanding (knowledge) with the most highly esteemed and purest form of earthly riches (choice gold). It highlights the ultimate value proposition: the experiential wisdom that God imparts is incomparably more precious and beneficial than even the rarest and most valued material possessions. The emphasis is on quality over quantity, and divine quality over earthly quality.

Proverbs 8 10 Bonus section

The personification of Wisdom in Proverbs 8 has profound theological implications, often viewed by Christian interpreters as foreshadowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is referred to as "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Cor 1:24) and "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3). Thus, "my instruction" and "knowledge" in Proverbs 8:10 can be understood as an invitation to receive the very wisdom embodied in Christ Himself. The call to choose wisdom over material wealth becomes, in the New Testament light, a call to embrace Christ over the transient values of the world. This enduring instruction leads to life (Prov 8:35), a clear parallel to Christ as the source of eternal life. The verse also underscores the intrinsic purity and goodness of divine truth, juxtaposing it against even "choice gold," which despite its earthly purity, cannot match the divine perfection of God's word and wisdom.

Proverbs 8 10 Commentary

Proverbs 8:10 is a foundational statement about true values. Wisdom, speaking directly from God, presents humanity with a non-negotiable choice: divine instruction and genuine understanding or material wealth. This is not an ascetic call to shun all possessions, but rather a reordering of priorities, declaring God's truth to be the preeminent pursuit. Silver and gold, though valuable in the earthly realm, are inherently limited; they are temporary, perishable, and cannot impart life, character, or salvation. In contrast, "instruction" (mūsār) offers moral guidance and discipline that shapes one's very being, and "knowledge" (da'at) provides profound discernment, particularly in knowing God Himself and His ways. This verse encapsulates a core biblical principle: spiritual and eternal treasures far surpass any temporal earthly gain. The wisdom offered is an enduring inheritance, producing joy, peace, and true fulfillment, which no amount of wealth can buy or replace. It invites a life lived by divine principles, understanding that the greatest riches are spiritual.

• Example: A young person prioritizing diligent study of Scripture over accumulating fashionable possessions, finding deeper satisfaction.
• Example: A business owner choosing ethical practices based on biblical wisdom even if it means foregoing larger, dishonest profits.
• Example: A family spending time learning and discussing biblical truths together rather than always chasing higher-paying jobs that leave no time for spiritual growth.