God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 2:4
4if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,
Proverbs 2:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
- New International Version (NIV)and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
- English Standard Version (ESV)if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
- New King James Version (NKJV)If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Context of Proverbs 2:4
2if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding, 3if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding, if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure, 5then you will understand the fear of the Lord and you will find the knowledge of God. 6The Lord gives wisdom. From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Read all of Proverbs 2Proverbs 2:4 word by word
אִם־תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה כַכָּ֑סֶף וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 2:4
- Proverbs 3:14The profit ⌞gained⌟ from ⌞wisdom⌟ is greater than the profit ⌞gained⌟ from silver. Its yield is better than fine gold.
- Proverbs 8:18I have riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness.
- Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
- Proverbs 23:23Buy truth (and do not sell it), ⌞that is,⌟ buy wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
- Psalms 19:10They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb.
- Psalms 119:14I find joy in the way ⌞shown by⌟ your written instructions more than I find joy in all kinds of riches.
- Matthew 6:19“Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.
- Matthew 13:44“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field. When a man discovered it, he buried it again. He was so delighted with it that he went away, sold everything he had, and bought that field.
- Matthew 19:21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, sell what you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”
- Job 28:12“Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live?
- Ecclesiastes 4:8There are people who are all alone. They have no children or other family members. So there is no end to all the hard work they have to do. Their eyes are never satisfied with riches. But ⌞they never ask themselves⌟ why they are working so hard and depriving themselves of good things. Even this is pointless and a terrible tragedy.
- Luke 16:8“The master praised the dishonest manager for being so clever. Worldly people are more clever than spiritually-minded people when it comes to dealing with others.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 2:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4If thou seekest her as silver - How do men seek money? What will they not do to get rich? Reader, seek the salvation of thy soul as earnestly as the covetous man seeks wealth; and be ashamed of thyself, if thou be less in earnest after the true riches than he is after perishing wealth. Hid treasures - The original word signifies property of any kind concealed in the earth, in caves or such like; and may also mean treasures, such as the precious metals or…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Note the illustrations. (1) Contact with Phoenician commerce, and joint expeditions in ships of Tarshish (see Psalm 72:10 note), had made the Israelites familiar with the risks and the enterprise of the miller‘s life. Compare Matthew 13:44.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4People search for silver or hidden treasures with urgency, excitement, and hope for a reward (see Matthew 13:44; Luke 15:8–10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-221-5. Diligence in hearing and praying for instruction must be used to secure the great principle of godliness, the fear of God. hide ... with thee--lay up in store (compare Pr 7:1).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 2:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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