Proverbs 4:7

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 nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your possessions, acquire understanding. 8Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 9She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

Proverbs 4:7 word by word

רֵאשִׁ֣ית חָ֭כְמָה קְנֵ֣ה חָכְמָ֑ה וּבְכָל־קִ֝נְיָנְךָ֗ קְנֵ֣ה בִינָֽה׃Read the interlinear

• beginningרֵאשִׁיתrê'shîyth · first: beginningH7225
• of wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• Acquireקָנָהqânâh · to buyH7069
• And with allכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• your possessionsקִנְיָןqinyân · acquisitionH7075
• understandingבִּינָהbîynâh · understandingH998

Cross-references for Proverbs 4:7

• Ecclesiastes 7:12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive.
• Ecclesiastes 9:16So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are ignored.
• Matthew 13:44“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells everything that he has, and buys that field.
• Luke 10:42but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
• Philippians 3:8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ,
• Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
• Proverbs 21:6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
• Psalms 49:16Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich, When the splendor of his house is increased;
• Ecclesiastes 2:4I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself;
• Mark 8:36For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
• Luke 12:20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’
• Psalms 119:104From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

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

• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Diligence
• Getting
• Hold
• Look
• Ponder
• Principal
• Promote
• Right
• Stumble
• Get; Getting

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