Proverbs 8:19 kjv

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Proverbs 8:19 nkjv

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

Proverbs 8:19 niv

My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

Proverbs 8:19 esv

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.

Proverbs 8:19 nlt

My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!

Proverbs 8 verses

Proverbs 8 19 Meaning

Proverbs 8:19 proclaims the supreme and incomparable value of Lady Wisdom's outcomes over any form of material wealth. Wisdom's "fruit" and "yield" represent the profound and enduring benefits, blessings, and excellent results derived from knowing, pursuing, and living by divine wisdom. These spiritual and moral treasures are definitively declared as superior to the most coveted earthly riches like gold, fine gold, and choice silver, which are transient and incapable of delivering true life or lasting peace.

Proverbs 8 19 Context

Proverbs chapter 8 is a magnificent poem where Wisdom is personified as a female figure, Lady Wisdom, who speaks to humanity, making an open, public appeal. She declares her origins (being with God at creation), her nature (eternal, righteous), and her benefits (life, prosperity, divine favor, moral guidance, kingly rule). This particular verse, 8:19, fits within a broader declaration by Lady Wisdom (from verses 10-21) about the incomparable value of her offerings compared to material wealth. In the ancient world, gold and silver were the primary indicators of wealth, power, and security. By repeatedly stating her superiority over these coveted metals, Lady Wisdom asserts that her fruit—which includes good judgment, understanding, justice, righteousness, and lasting life—provides a truer, deeper, and more enduring form of wealth and prosperity than any earthly treasure could. It serves as a direct challenge to the widespread cultural valuing of material riches above all else, positioning true wisdom as the ultimate gain.

Proverbs 8 19 Word analysis

• My fruit (פְּרִי / pərî): "My" refers to Lady Wisdom. Pərî literally means "fruit," "produce," or "offspring." Here, it's a metaphor for the beneficial outcomes, results, or blessings that spring from possessing and applying wisdom. This isn't literal produce, but the positive consequences in one's life, such as righteous living, divine favor, success (biblically understood), peace, and character development.
• is better than: This comparative phrase signifies absolute superiority and preference. It's a definitive declaration of higher intrinsic worth, not just a slight advantage.
• gold (זָהָב / zāhāḇ): A precious, highly valued metal throughout the ancient world, representing significant material wealth and security. It often signifies earthly riches that are perishable.
• even fine gold (פַּז / paz): Paz refers to pure, refined, or solid gold, the highest quality of this precious metal. The addition of "even fine gold" emphasizes that Wisdom's value surpasses even the most exceptional and pure forms of worldly wealth. It underscores the superlative nature of her superiority, dismissing even the pinnacle of earthly value as inferior.
• and my yield (תְּבוּאָה / təḇû'â): This word also refers to produce, harvest, or revenue/profit. It runs in parallelism with "fruit," reinforcing the idea of positive returns, gains, and the harvest of benefits reaped from a life guided by wisdom.
• than choice silver (כֶּסֶף מִבְחָר / kesep̄ miḇḥār): Kesep̄ is silver, a valuable metal used for currency and adornment, though generally less valuable than gold. Miḇḥār means "choicest" or "best." This phrase signifies silver of the highest quality or a particularly desirable form of silver wealth. Like "fine gold," it serves to elevate the standard of material comparison, further solidifying Wisdom's incomparable worth.

Words-group analysis:

• "My fruit... and my yield": This pairing uses synonymous parallelism, a common poetic device in Proverbs, to amplify and reinforce the idea of the excellent and beneficial returns or outcomes that flow from wisdom. Both terms signify the desirable results of embracing Lady Wisdom.
• "gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver": This demonstrates a rhetorical escalation. Wisdom's value is pitted against common gold, then the best gold, and finally the best silver. By overcoming these increasingly valuable forms of material wealth, the verse powerfully establishes wisdom's absolute and unqualified supremacy over all earthly riches. It teaches that the true and lasting 'gain' is not material but found in wisdom.

Proverbs 8 19 Bonus section

The superiority of Wisdom's fruit lies in its inherent eternality and spiritual substance, contrasted with the perishable and finite nature of material riches. Gold and silver can be lost, stolen, or depreciate, and they ultimately cannot extend life, guarantee peace, or secure salvation. Wisdom, however, guides one to genuine life, connects one to the divine, fosters character that lasts, and brings forth an inheritance that cannot fade. In the New Testament, this personified Wisdom finds its ultimate embodiment in Jesus Christ (Col 2:3), meaning the 'fruit' and 'yield' are ultimately found in a relationship with Him and living according to His righteous ways. This verse also serves as a polemic against the worldview that material prosperity is the highest good or the ultimate sign of divine favor, advocating instead for a value system rooted in righteous living and divine knowledge.

Proverbs 8 19 Commentary

Proverbs 8:19 encapsulates the profound biblical truth that spiritual and eternal values far transcend temporal material wealth. Lady Wisdom's "fruit" and "yield" are not commodities one can physically possess or spend, but rather the intrinsic, enduring, and life-giving benefits that come from a righteous life guided by God's wisdom—benefits such as peace, joy, right judgment, divine favor, good character, and eternal life itself. These are truly priceless because they address the deepest needs of the human soul and endure beyond earthly existence. The repetitive comparison to gold, fine gold, and choice silver serves to unequivocally assert that no amount or quality of earthly treasure can compare to, let alone buy, the invaluable results that wisdom bestows. This verse urges a re-evaluation of our priorities, directing us to pursue true riches in spiritual wisdom rather than accumulating perishable earthly assets.

Examples:

• Choosing integrity and honest work (wisdom) even if it yields less immediate profit than dishonest schemes, understanding the true fruit is a clear conscience and God's favor.
• Investing time in studying God's Word and prayer (seeking wisdom) rather than solely pursuing material gain, recognizing the yield is spiritual growth and peace.
• Prioritizing loving relationships and acts of kindness (wise living) over solitary wealth accumulation, understanding the richer return in human connection and fulfillment.