Proverbs 3:18
Proverbs 3:18 in Multiple Translations
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.
She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
She is a tree of life to them that lay holde on her, and blessed is he that retaineth her.
A tree of life she [is] to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her [is] happy.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed.
Wisdom is like a tree that gives long life to those who eagerly take hold of it, and Yahweh is pleased with those who hold onto it tightly.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 3:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 3:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֵץ
חַיִּ֣ים
הִ֭יא
לַ/מַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים
בָּ֑/הּ
וְֽ/תֹמְכֶ֥י/הָ
מְאֻשָּֽׁר
עֵץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
חַיִּ֣ים
chay
H2416
alive
N-mp
הִ֭יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
לַ/מַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים
châzaq
H2388
to strengthen
Prep | V-Hiphil
בָּ֑/הּ
Prep | Suff
וְֽ/תֹמְכֶ֥י/הָ
tâmak
H8551
to grasp
Conj | V-Qal | Suff
מְאֻשָּֽׁר
ʼâshar
H833
to bless
V-Pual-Inf-c
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 3:18
עֵץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
חַיִּ֣ים
chay
H2416
"alive"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
הִ֭יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לַ/מַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים
châzaq
H2388
"to strengthen"
Prep | V-Hiphil
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with
Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.
בָּ֑/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
וְֽ/תֹמְכֶ֥י/הָ
tâmak
H8551
"to grasp"
Conj | V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means to grasp or hold something, like taking hold of a person or object. It is used in books like Genesis and Psalms to describe helping or supporting someone.
Definition: 1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain 1a2) to hold up, support 1a3) to hold, keep 1a4) to take hold of each other 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (take, up-) hold (up), maintain, retain, stay (up). See also: Genesis 48:17; Proverbs 5:22; Psalms 16:5.
מְאֻשָּֽׁר
ʼâshar
H833
"to bless"
V-Pual-Inf-c
To bless means to make someone happy or content. In the Bible, it can also mean to guide or lead someone in the right direction, like in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress 1a)(Qal) to go straight on, make progress 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to go straight on, advance 1b2) to lead on (causative) 1b3) to set right, righten 1b4) to pronounce happy, call blessed 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be advanced, be led on 1c2) to be made happy, be blessed
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (call, be) bless(-ed, happy), go, guide, lead, relieve. See also: Genesis 30:13; Proverbs 23:19; Psalms 41:3.
Study Notes — Proverbs 3:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 3:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 3:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 3:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 3:18
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 3:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
- Sermons on Proverbs 3:18
Context — The Blessings of Wisdom
16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. 20By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 11:30 | The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. |
| 2 | Revelation 2:7 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. |
| 3 | Proverbs 15:4 | A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. |
| 4 | Genesis 2:9 | Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. |
| 5 | Proverbs 13:12 | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. |
| 6 | Genesis 3:22 | Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. And now, lest he reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever...” |
| 7 | Revelation 22:2 | down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. |
Proverbs 3:18 Summary
[This verse is saying that wisdom is like a special tree that gives us life and makes us happy, and when we follow wisdom, we will be blessed. Just like how a tree gives us fruit and shade, wisdom gives us good things in our lives. As it says in Proverbs 9:10-11, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it will bring us joy and peace. By following wisdom, we can experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing and loving God, as described in Romans 5:1-5.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for wisdom to be a tree of life?
In Proverbs 3:18, wisdom is likened to a tree of life, symbolizing its life-giving and nourishing qualities, much like the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 2:9 and Revelation 22:2.
How can we 'embrace' and 'lay hold' of wisdom as mentioned in this verse?
To embrace and lay hold of wisdom means to tightly grasp and hold onto it, making it a central part of our lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:13 and Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
What kind of blessings can we expect when we lay hold of wisdom?
According to Proverbs 3:18, those who lay hold of wisdom are blessed, which can include experiencing peace, joy, and success, as described in Proverbs 3:2 and Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Is this verse only talking about wisdom, or is it also referring to something or someone else?
While the immediate context is discussing wisdom, the broader biblical theme of the tree of life is also closely tied to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate source of life and wisdom, as seen in John 1:1-4 and Revelation 2:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can practically 'embrace' wisdom in my daily life, and what steps can I take to make it a greater priority?
- How has wisdom been a 'tree of life' to me in the past, and what are some specific ways it has brought nourishment and joy into my life?
- What are some potential consequences of not laying hold of wisdom, and how can I avoid those pitfalls in my own life?
- In what ways can I share the 'tree of life' with others, and how can I be a source of wisdom and encouragement to those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 3:18
She [is] a tree of life,.... Or "lives" (b); 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,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life; she is a certain pledge and mean of everlasting life and happiness. He alludes to that tree of life, 3:22; which if eaten by man in Paradise before his fall, should have perpetually preserved him in life, and health, and rigour; and intimates that this is the only restorer of that life which we have lost by sin. That lay hold upon her; that eagerly pursue after her, and when they overtake her do greedily and gladly apprehend and embrace her, as the Hebrew word signifies. That retaineth her; that holdeth her fast, and is constantly resolved not to forsake her.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
Proverbs 3:18 She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.Ver. 18. She is a tree of life.] A tree that giveth life and quickeneth: or, as one interprets it, a most assured sign of eternal life; whatsoever it is, he alludeth, no doubt, to the tree mentioned in Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22. And happy is every one that retaineth her.] Though despised by the world as a poor sneak, a contemptible capative. We usually call a poor man a poor soul; a poor soul may be a rich Christian; as Roger, surnamed Paupere censu, was son to Roger Bishop of Salisbury, who made him Chancellor of England. Goodwin’ s Catal., p. 388.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
(18) A tree of life.—Evidently an allusion to Genesis 2, 3. No mention is made of it except in Proverbs (Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 13:12; Proverbs 15:4) and Revelation (Proverbs 2:7; Proverbs 22:2).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
Verse 18. She is a tree of life] עץ חיים 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, and ensure them a glorious immortality.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 3:18
18. a tree of life] The tree of life, Genesis 2, 3 is referred to again in this Book (Proverbs 11:30, Proverbs 13:12, Proverbs 15:4), and only besides in the Bible in Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was a tree of death: “in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.” The tree of Wisdom is a tree of life. Proverbs 3:19-20. And the wisdom which is thus profitable to man, is none other than that by which God erected the firm fabric of earth and heaven, and furnished it with such storehouses of force and fertility, as “the waters that are under, and the waters that are above the firmament.” In our present Hebrew text a new paragraph begins here, and here only in this chapter. But, as has been said, the argument is in reality continuous throughout.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 3:18
This and the other references in Proverbs Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 13:12; Proverbs 15:4 are the only allusions in any book of the Old Testament, after Genesis, to the “tree” itself, or to its spiritual significance.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 3:18
18. Tree of life — Well paraphrased by Patrick: “In short, wisdom leads into a paradise, and supplies the place of the tree of life, (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22,) from which our first parents were
Sermons on Proverbs 3:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Itching Ears by Michael L. Brown | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love and warning others. He quotes Robert Lernick Shane, who suggests that if we truly loved others, we would warn them ab |
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Jehovah's Declaration, Behold the Man Is Become as One of Us, Considered. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on Genesis 3:22, emphasizing Jehovah's declaration that man has become like one of us, reflecting on the fall of humanity and the profound consequences of sin. H |
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Xiv. to Lady Kenmure by Samuel Rutherford | Samuel Rutherford, a prisoner of Christ, writes a letter filled with grace, mercy, and peace to a lady, encouraging her to continue learning and growing in her faith despite her tr |
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Of the Honour and Happiness of Man in a State of Innocence. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the honor and happiness of man in a state of innocence, focusing on Adam's creation and his placement in the Garden of Eden. He describes how Adam was endowed |
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Are You a Soul Winner by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, Brother Denny shares his personal testimony of his father's transformation through God's grace. He describes how his father, who was once broken and miserable, turn |
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Evangelism Series - Part 1 by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker begins a three-week teaching session on the keys to personal evangelism. While he acknowledges the abundance of how-to books on witnessing, he emphasize |
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Elijah (Time for Renewal Conference) by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the introductory message of the gospel, which is to trust in God and believe that He will provide. He uses the story of Elijah and the widow |