Proverbs 2:3

Proverbs 2:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
• English Standard Version (ESV)yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,
• New Living Translation (NLT)Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

Context of Proverbs 2:3

1My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:3 word by word

כִּ֤י אִ֣ם לַבִּינָ֣ה תִקְרָ֑א לַ֝תְּבוּנָ֗ה תִּתֵּ֥ן קוֹלֶֽךָ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Yea, if thou criestקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call outH7121
• after knowledgeבִּינָהbîynâh · understandingH998
• liftest upנָתַןnâthan · to give: cry outH5414
• thy voiceקוֹלqôl qôl · voiceH6963
• for understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394

Cross-references for Proverbs 2:3

• Proverbs 3:6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
• Proverbs 8:17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
• 1 Kings 3:9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
• 1 Chronicles 22:12May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
• Psalms 25:4Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
• Psalms 119:34Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
• Luke 11:13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
• Ephesians 1:17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
• James 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Commentaries on Proverbs 2:3

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3wisdom...understanding...insight: These three words are skills needed to handle life's challenges.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 2:3

• Desire
• Hunger
• Personification
• Prayer
• Seekers
• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of

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