Proverbs 8:18 - Exposition

Riches and honour are with me (see Proverbs 3:16 ). Wisdom has these things in her possession to bestow on whom she will, as God gave them to Solomon in reward of his petition for wisdom ( 1 Kings 3:13 ). Durable riches and righteousness. Things often regarded as incompatible. Durable, עָתֵק ( athek ) , occurs only here (but see Isaiah 23:18 ), and means "old," "venerable," "long accumulated;" hence firm and lasting. Righteousness is the last reward that Wisdom bestows, without which, indeed, all material blessings would be nothing worth. Wealth obtained in a right way, and rightly used, is durable and stable. This was especially true under a temporal dispensation. We Christians, however, look not for reward in uncertain riches, but in God's favour here and happiness in another world. The Septuagint, "Possession of many things, and righteousness." What is denoted by "righteousness" is further explained in the following verses, 19-21.