Proverbs 9:11 kjv

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

Proverbs 9:11 nkjv

For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

Proverbs 9:11 niv

For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 9:11 esv

For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 9:11 nlt

Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life.

Proverbs 9 verses

Proverbs 9 11 Meaning

Proverbs 9:11 asserts that adherence to wisdom leads to an extension of one's lifespan. It is a direct promise from Lady Wisdom, indicating that her teachings and the way of life she advocates bring about not only more days but also more fulfilling and prosperous years. This verse encapsulates the Old Testament principle that living righteously and embracing divine instruction results in tangible, physical blessings, including longevity.

Proverbs 9 11 Context

Proverbs chapter 9 vividly personifies Wisdom as a noble lady and Folly as a promiscuous woman, each extending an invitation to humanity. Wisdom has prepared a feast, built her house, and sent out her servants to invite those who lack understanding to her way of life (Prov 9:1-6). The call of Wisdom is discerning, intended for the wise and righteous (Prov 9:7-9). Verse 10 sets the foundation by stating, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," grounding true wisdom in reverence for God. Verse 11, then, serves as Lady Wisdom's direct promise to those who accept her invitation and walk in her paths: that their days and years of life will be increased. This contrasts sharply with the latter part of the chapter where Lady Folly's invitation leads to death and ruin (Prov 9:13-18). The ancient Israelite cultural context understood physical longevity as a primary blessing from God, often associated with covenant faithfulness and adherence to divine law, differing from pagan cultures which sometimes associated deity with unpredictable or even destructive forces.

Proverbs 9 11 Word analysis

• For (כִּֽי־, ki-): A causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It connects this promise to the preceding verse, highlighting that longevity is a consequence of "the fear of the LORD," which is the beginning of wisdom.
• by me (בִ֭י, vi): Refers directly to Wisdom personified. This emphasizes that wisdom is the direct agent or means through which life is prolonged. It highlights the active role of divine wisdom in the life of the one who embraces it.
• your days (יָמֶ֔יךָ, yameḵa): Refers to the span of a person's life in terms of chronological length. The Hebrew "days" often denotes life itself, from birth to death.
• will be multiplied (יִרְבּוּ, yirbu): From the root rabah, meaning "to be many, to increase, to be numerous." This implies a quantitative increase, adding more time to one's life.
• and years (וְשְׁנ֣וֹת, wəšənōwṯ): The conjunction "and" links this phrase to the preceding one, emphasizing accumulation. "Years" further specifies the measurement of longevity.
• will be added (יוֹסִ֣יפוּ, yôsipū): From the root yasaph, meaning "to add, to increase, to continue." This is a synonymous parallelism with "multiplied," reinforcing the idea of an extension of life. The use of two verbs conveying increase ("multiplied" and "added") amplifies the promise of extended life.
• to your life (לְּךָ֖ חַיִּֽים, ləḵā ḥayyīm): "For you" or "to you" indicates the benefit is directly personal. "Life" (ḥayyīm) is often used in the plural in Hebrew, conveying a sense of fullness, vitality, or continuous existence rather than just mere biological animation.

Words-Group analysis

• "For by me your days will be multiplied": This clause attributes the gift of increased lifespan directly to wisdom. It's not a generic blessing but a specific benefit derived from engaging with and adhering to Lady Wisdom's instructions. This reflects the ancient understanding that righteous living and following divine principles inherently led to health and longevity, a concept deeply rooted in covenant blessings found in the Torah.
• "and years will be added to your life": This phrase functions as a parallel intensification of the previous clause. The repetition underscores the certainty and significance of the promise. The cumulative effect of "multiplied" and "added" implies not just a longer physical existence, but potentially one that is richer and more complete. Scholars often note this holistic view of life where length is often tied to a qualitative abundance. This concept contrasts with reckless living, which is implied to cut life short through self-destructive actions.

Proverbs 9 11 Bonus section

The promise of multiplied days and added years in Proverbs 9:11 stands as a powerful counter-narrative to the fleeting and often self-destructive path of folly described later in the chapter. This promise underscores the Bible's consistent emphasis on the practical value of righteousness and God-fearing living. While exceptions exist (righteous individuals may face untimely death, and wicked ones may live long), the Proverbs declare the general rule of divine order: Wisdom promotes life, and Folly leads to death (physical and spiritual). The ancient Israelite worldview saw physical well-being and prosperity as integrated parts of a blessed life, stemming from right relationship with God. Therefore, "life" in this context encompasses not just duration but also quality, fulfillment, and divine favor. This verse, understood in light of Christ, points to true wisdom culminating in not just extended earthly life but abundant and eternal life, satisfying the deepest human longing for enduring existence and meaning.

Proverbs 9 11 Commentary

Proverbs 9:11 is a foundational statement on the benefits of embracing wisdom. It teaches that wisdom is not merely abstract knowledge but a practical guide for living that yields tangible blessings, specifically the blessing of an extended life. This longevity is understood not as an automatic, unconditional guarantee for every individual, but as a general principle and a direct consequence of living wisely in God's ways.

Wisdom guides one to make choices that preserve life, such as prudence in conduct, avoidance of destructive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, reckless violence), responsible self-care, and the establishment of healthy relationships. These actions contribute naturally to a longer, healthier existence. Beyond the natural consequences, the verse implies a divine blessing on those who seek and follow God's wisdom. This reflects the covenantal promises in the Old Testament, where obedience to God’s commands was frequently linked to a full, prosperous, and long life in the land (e.g., Deut 4:40).

For believers, this verse resonates on multiple levels. It emphasizes that a life lived in reverence for God and adherence to His principles (the fear of the Lord being the "beginning of wisdom," v.10) naturally aligns with well-being and longevity. Ultimately, through Christ, who is the very wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24, Col 2:3), believers are offered not just multiplied days in this temporal life but eternal life (Jn 3:16, Rom 6:23), giving this ancient promise an even profounder spiritual dimension.

Practical examples:

• A person who lives by wise principles might avoid gluttony and excessive indulgence, leading to better health.
• Someone whose decisions are guided by wisdom may steer clear of risky behaviors like criminal activity, thus reducing their exposure to violence or imprisonment.
• Cultivating wisdom includes patience and forgiveness, leading to less stress and better emotional health.