Proverbs 3:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 3:13-20

Solomon had pressed us earnestly to seek diligently for wisdom (Prov. 2:1), and had assured us that we should succeed in our sincere and constant pursuits. But the question is, What shall we get by it when we have found it? Prospect of advantage is the spring and spur of industry; he therefore shows us how much it will be to our profit, laying this down for an unquestionable truth, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, that true wisdom which consists in the knowledge and love of God, and an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:16

Length of days is in her right hand ,.... Wisdom is here represented as a queen, as indeed she is above all kings and queens; see Proverbs 8:15 ; holding in one hand, instead of a sceptre, "length of days"; and in the other, instead of a globe, riches and honour: the allusion is thought by some on this clause to be to an ancient custom of numbering things, and the ages of men, by the hand and fingers, beginning with the left hand, and when they came to a hundred went to the right F26 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:17

Her ways are ways of pleasantness ,.... The "ways" and methods which Christ took to bring about the salvation of his people; some in eternity, as engaging as a surety for them, entering into a covenant with his father on their account, taking the care and charge of their persons, grace, and glory; others in time, as the assumption of their nature, obedience to the law, suffering and dying in their room and stead, rising again, ascending to heaven, and interceding for them; calling them by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:18

She is a tree of life ,.... Or "lives" F2 עץ חיים "lignum vitarum", Montanus. ; so Christ is called, Revelation 2:7 ; in allusion to the tree of life in the garden of Eden, Genesis 2:9 ; he being the author of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal; which souls may come at, and pluck and eat of the fruit which is upon him in great plenty and variety, even all the blessings of grace and glory; to them that lay hold upon her ; which is expressive of an act of faith on... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 3:16

Length of days is in her right hand - A wicked man shortens his days by excesses; a righteous man prolongs his by temperance. In her left hand riches and honor - That is, her hands are full of the choicest benefits. There is nothing to be understood here by the right hand in preference to the left. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 3:17

Her ways are ways of pleasantness - These blessings of true religion require little comment. They are well expressed by the poet in the following elegant verses: - "Wisdom Divine! Who tells the price Of Wisdom's costly merchandise? Wisdom to silver we prefer, And gold is dross compared to her. Her hands are fill'd with length of days, True riches, and immortal praise; Riches of Christ, on all bestow'd, And honor that descends from God. To purest joys she all invites, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 3:18

She is a tree of life - חיים עץ ets chaiyim , "the tree of lives," alluding most manifestly to the tree so called which God in the beginning planted in the garden of Paradise, by eating the fruit of which all the wastes of nature might have been continually repaired, so as to prevent death for ever. This is an opinion which appears probable enough. The blessings which wisdom - true religion - gives to men, preserve them in life, comfort them through life, cause them to triumph in death,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-18

4. Fourth admonitory discourse. The third chapter introduces us to a group of admonitions, and the first of these ( Proverbs 3:1-18 ) forms the fourth admonitory discourse of the teacher. To all intents and purposes this is a continuation of the discourse in the preceding chapter, for inasmuch as that described the benefits, spiritual and moral, which follow from the pursuit of Wisdom, in promoting godliness and providing safety from evil companions, so this in like manner depicts the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:13-18

The teacher here enters upon the last part of this discourse. In doing so, he reverts to his main subject, which is Wisdom, or the fear of the Lord (see Proverbs 3:7 and Proverbs 1:7 ), and pronounces a panegyric upon her, comparing her, as in Job 28:1-28 ; with treasures whose value she exceeds, and showing wherein that value consists, viz. in the gifts which she confers on man. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:13-18

Wisdom the best investment I. WISDOM COMPARABLE WITH THE MOST PRECIOUS THINGS . Silver, gold, precious stones, everything eagerly coveted and warmly prized by the senses and the fancy, may illustrate the worth of the pious intelligence. Every object in the world of sense has its analogy in the world of spirit. The worth of the ruby is due to the aesthetic light in the mind of the observer. But wisdom is the light in the mind itself. II. WISDOM INCOMPARABLE WITH ALL... read more

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