New King James Version
Proverbs 4:7
7Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
Context of Proverbs 4:7
5Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 8Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. 9She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
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 7:12For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
- Ecclesiastes 9:16Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.
- Matthew 13:44“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
- Luke 10:42But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
- Philippians 3:8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
- Proverbs 16:16How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- Proverbs 21:6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
- Psalms 49:16Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased;
- Ecclesiastes 2:4I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.
- Mark 8:36For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
- Luke 12:20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
- Psalms 119:104Through 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
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries