God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 4:7
7The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have.
Proverbs 4:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
- New International Version (NIV)The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Context of Proverbs 4:7
5Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn away from the words that I have spoken. 6Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you. The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have. 8Cherish wisdom. It will raise you up. It will bring you honor when you embrace it. 9It will give you a graceful garland for your head. It will hand you a beautiful crown.”
Read all of Proverbs 4Proverbs 4:7 word by word
רֵאשִׁ֣ית חָ֭כְמָה קְנֵ֣ה חָכְמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־קִ֝נְיָנְךָ֗ קְנֵ֣ה בִינָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 4:7
- Ecclesiastes 7:12Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it.
- Ecclesiastes 9:16So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength,” even though that poor person’s wisdom was despised, and no one listened to what he said.
- 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.
- Luke 10:42There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her.”
- Philippians 3:8It’s far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ
- Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
- Proverbs 21:6Those who gather wealth by lying are wasting time. They are looking for death.
- Psalms 49:16Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich, when the greatness of his house increases.
- Ecclesiastes 2:4I accomplished some great things: I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards for myself.
- Mark 8:36What good does it do for people to win the whole world yet lose their lives?
- Luke 12:20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! I will demand your life from you tonight! Now who will get what you’ve accumulated?’
- Psalms 119:104From your guiding principles I gain understanding. That is why I hate every path that leads to lying.
Commentaries on Proverbs 4:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Wisdom is the principal thing - חכמה ראשית reshith chochmah, "wisdom is the principle." It is the punctum saliens in all religion to know the true God, and what he requires of man, and for what he has made man; and to this must be added, under the Christian dispensation, to know Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, and for what end He was sent, the necessity of his being sent, and the nature of that salvation which he has bought by his own blood. Get wisdom…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4-20Verses 4-20 The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-8Wisdom often leads to better relationships and more wealth, but not always.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. (Compare Job 28:28). getting--or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 4:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 4
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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