Proverbs 8:18 kjv
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Proverbs 8:18 nkjv
Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.
Proverbs 8:18 niv
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
Proverbs 8:18 esv
Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
Proverbs 8:18 nlt
I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
Proverbs 8 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:16 | "Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor." | Wisdom directly brings wealth and respect. |
| Prov 3:21 | "My son, do not let them depart from your eyes... so they will be life..." | Wisdom ensures safety and well-being. |
| Prov 15:6 | "In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble in the income of the wicked." | Righteous living leads to lasting treasure. |
| Prov 15:27 | "Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live." | Contrast: Wicked gain causes trouble. |
| Prov 21:20 | "Precious treasure and oil are in a wise dwelling, but a foolish man devours it." | Wise living preserves and accumulates wealth. |
| Prov 22:4 | "The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." | God's blessings link to reverence and humility. |
| Ps 112:1-3 | "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord... Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever." | Godly fear results in wealth and lasting righteousness. |
| Deut 8:18 | "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth..." | God is the ultimate source of wealth. |
| 1 Sam 2:30 | "...for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed." | Honor comes from honoring God. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Heavenly, enduring treasure vs. earthly. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Righteousness as the priority brings all blessings. |
| Luke 12:33 | "Sell your possessions and give to the needy... provide yourselves with bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail..." | Investing in eternal, unfailing treasures. |
| Col 2:2-3 | "...that their hearts may be encouraged... Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." | All true treasures of wisdom found in Christ. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's abundant provision for His people. |
| 1 Tim 6:6-10 | "But godliness with contentment is great gain... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." | True gain is spiritual contentment, not money. |
| 1 Tim 6:17-19 | "Instruct those who are rich... to be rich in good works, generous and ready to share, storing up treasure for themselves..." | Righteous use of wealth for eternal gain. |
| Heb 10:34 | "...knowing that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one." | Spiritual, abiding possession is superior. |
| Jas 5:1-3 | "Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you... your gold and silver have corroded..." | Warning against earthly wealth's transience. |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | "He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption." | Christ embodies true wisdom and righteousness. |
| Eph 1:7 | "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." | Riches of grace found in Christ. |
| Eph 3:8 | "To me, though I am the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ..." | Christ's riches are immeasurable and spiritual. |
Proverbs 8 verses
Proverbs 8 18 Meaning
Proverbs 8:18 reveals that Wisdom, personified, possesses and offers abundant prosperity, genuine esteem, lasting stability, and moral integrity. These are not worldly treasures sought for their own sake, but rather inherent characteristics and benefits found in aligning one's life with God's divine wisdom. The verse emphasizes that the wealth offered by Wisdom is enduring and intrinsically linked with righteousness, providing a foundation for true and lasting flourishing that contrasts with fleeting worldly gains.
Proverbs 8 18 Context
Proverbs chapter 8 is a majestic and profound address from Lady Wisdom, who speaks to humanity, making a fervent call to heed her instruction. Unlike the initial warnings against Folly and evil associates (ch. 1-7), chapter 8 presents Wisdom as an eternal, divinely established figure, pre-dating creation, and even assisting God in His creative work (Prov 8:22-31). Throughout this chapter, Wisdom declares her character, her worth, and the incredible benefits and blessings she bestows upon those who find her. Verse 18 is part of her exposition of the material and moral rewards she offers, promising not just spiritual insight but also tangible prosperity and respect to those who follow her ways, always linking these benefits to righteous living. The historical context positions wisdom literature as guidance for right living within the covenant community, contrasting divine order with the chaotic and fleeting outcomes of folly, and establishing God's ordained path for true blessing and societal well-being.
Proverbs 8 18 Word analysis
- Riches (עֹשֶׁר, ‘osher): Refers to material abundance, wealth, and prosperity. In the biblical context, wealth obtained through righteousness is seen as a blessing from God, distinguishing it from ill-gotten or purely material gains pursued for their own sake.
- and honor (וְכָבוֹד, wᵉkhāvōd):
Kavodsignifies glory, esteem, respect, reputation, or dignity. This is the recognition and high regard given to a person of wisdom, implying not superficial praise but deep, lasting respect rooted in righteous character. - are with me (אִתִּי, ʾittî): This phrase emphasizes that these blessings originate from and are intrinsic to Wisdom. They are not external additions, but are part of Wisdom's very essence and thus freely bestowed upon those who align with her.
- enduring wealth (הוֹן קֶדֶם, hôn qedem):
- enduring (קֶדֶם, qedem): Means antiquity, eternality, perpetuity, from of old, before. Here, it denotes wealth that is ancient in origin (i.e., belonging to Wisdom since the beginning) and, more importantly, possesses lasting quality. It is stable, unfading, and perpetual, in contrast to the transient nature of worldly riches.
- wealth (הוֹן, hôn): General term for wealth, substance, or sufficient resources. The pairing with qedem underscores its quality and source.
- and righteousness (וּצְדָקָה, ûṣedaqah):
Tsedaqahrefers to moral rectitude, justice, right living, and conformity to God's standards. This crucial pairing highlights that Wisdom's wealth is not merely material but is intrinsically tied to moral uprightness. It indicates that true prosperity cannot be separated from a just and righteous character, emphasizing integrity as foundational to lasting benefit.
Proverbs 8 18 Bonus section
The concept of "enduring wealth" (hon qedem) in this verse points to the stark contrast between God's economy and human systems of gain. While human endeavors often seek rapid, substantial wealth that may be short-lived or come at a moral cost, Wisdom offers a legacy that defies decay and instability. This echoes the New Testament principle of "storing up treasures in heaven," which refers to spiritual dividends that are eternal and secure, proving far more valuable than any earthly acquisition. Ultimately, Wisdom in the Scriptures is most fully embodied in Jesus Christ (Col 2:3), meaning that truly "enduring wealth" and "righteousness" are found perfectly in Him for all who believe. His sacrifice brings forgiveness and establishes us in righteousness before God, making the benefits of true Wisdom accessible.
Proverbs 8 18 Commentary
Proverbs 8:18 distills a profound truth about the nature of true prosperity. Wisdom, portrayed as God's master builder in creation, promises benefits that extend far beyond mere accumulation. She holds "riches and honor" that are qualitatively different from what the world offers. These are not ephemeral or fleeting, but rather "enduring wealth," hon qedem, indicating a stability and perpetuity rooted in their divine origin. This "enduring wealth" is inextricably linked with "righteousness." This linkage is vital, asserting that authentic, lasting prosperity is not found independent of moral integrity, justice, and alignment with God's ways.
The verse clarifies that a life guided by divine wisdom brings about a holistic flourishing that includes both tangible provision and intangible dignity, all predicated on righteous conduct. Unlike wealth gained through deceit or ungodly means, which ultimately corrodes or fails, the blessings derived from Wisdom are secure and lasting because they are founded upon truth and character. It’s a promise of a life well-ordered, honorable, and materially blessed, but crucially, anchored in moral rectitude. This offers a compelling invitation to prioritize seeking Wisdom, which culminates in a life that bears good fruit and withstands the test of time.