Proverbs 3:4
Proverbs 3:4 in Multiple Translations
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man.
So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.
That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
So shalt thou finde fauour and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man.
And find grace and good understanding In the eyes of God and man.
So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
And thou shalt And grace and good understanding before God and men.
If you do, God and people will approve of you and think highly of you [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 3:4
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 3:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מְצָא
חֵ֖ן
וְ/שֵֽׂכֶל
ט֑וֹב
בְּ/עֵינֵ֖י
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
וְ/אָדָֽם
וּ/מְצָא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
חֵ֖ן
chên
H2580
favor
N-ms
וְ/שֵֽׂכֶל
sekel
H7922
understanding
Conj | N-ms
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
בְּ/עֵינֵ֖י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
וְ/אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Conj | N-ms
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 3:4
וּ/מְצָא
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
חֵ֖ן
chên
H2580
"favor"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means showing kindness or favor to someone, like God's graciousness to humanity. It appears in the Bible as 'favor' or 'grace'.
Definition: 1) favour, grace, charm 1a) favour, grace, elegance 1b) favour, acceptance
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured. See also: Genesis 6:8; 1 Samuel 20:29; Psalms 45:3.
וְ/שֵֽׂכֶל
sekel
H7922
"understanding"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word means understanding or intelligence, implying success. It involves prudence and insight, as seen in Proverbs. It can also mean cunning or craft.
Definition: 1) prudence, insight, understanding 1a) prudence, good sense 1b) insight, understanding 1c) cunning, craft (bad sense) Aramaic equivalent: sokh.le.ta.nu (שׇׂכְלְתָנוּ "insight" H7924)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense, understanding, wisdom, wise. See also: 1 Samuel 25:3; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 3:4.
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
בְּ/עֵינֵ֖י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וְ/אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Conj | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 3:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 3:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 3:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 3:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 3:4
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 3:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
- Sermons on Proverbs 3:4
Context — Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart
2for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
3Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 2:52 | And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:26 | And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man. |
| 3 | Romans 14:18 | For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. |
| 4 | Psalms 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever! |
| 5 | Genesis 39:2–4 | And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. |
| 6 | Genesis 39:21 | the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. |
| 7 | Acts 2:47 | praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. |
| 8 | Daniel 1:9 | Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official, |
| 9 | Joshua 1:7–8 | Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. |
Proverbs 3:4 Summary
This verse promises that when we live a life of loving devotion and faithfulness, we will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. This means that we will experience acceptance, approval, and respect from both our heavenly Father and the people around us, as seen in Proverbs 22:1 and Luke 2:52. To receive this blessing, we must first bind loving devotion and faithfulness around our neck and write them on the tablet of our heart, as instructed in Proverbs 3:3. By doing so, we will be able to trust in the Lord and enjoy a deep, personal relationship with Him, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man?
Finding favor and high regard in the sight of God and man means that we will experience acceptance, approval, and respect from both our heavenly Father and the people around us, as seen in Proverbs 22:1 and Luke 2:52.
How can we ensure that we will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man?
We can ensure that we will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man by following the instructions in Proverbs 3:3, binding loving devotion and faithfulness around our neck and writing them on the tablet of our heart, which will lead to a life of integrity and wisdom, as promised in Proverbs 10:9.
Is finding favor and high regard in the sight of God and man the ultimate goal of our lives?
While finding favor and high regard in the sight of God and man is a wonderful blessing, our ultimate goal should be to glorify God and enjoy a deep, personal relationship with Him, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Psalm 16:11.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is a promise that follows the instructions in Proverbs 3:3, and it precedes the call to trust in the Lord in Proverbs 3:5-6, emphasizing the importance of living a life of faith, wisdom, and obedience to God, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Joshua 1:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate loving devotion and faithfulness in my daily life, and how can I ensure that these qualities are reflected in my relationships with others?
- How can I trust that God will give me favor and high regard in the sight of man, even when I face challenges or difficulties?
- In what ways can I seek to glorify God and enjoy a deep, personal relationship with Him, rather than simply seeking to find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man?
- What are some potential consequences of not binding loving devotion and faithfulness around my neck and writing them on the tablet of my heart, and how can I avoid these consequences in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 3:4
So shall thou find favour,.... Or "grace" (i); the grace of God, and larger measures of it; as Noah did, Genesis 6:8; which are communicated to men when in the way of their duty: or good will,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 3:4
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
Find favour, i.e. obtain acceptance, or be gracious and amiable to them. Good understanding; whereby to know thy duty, and to discern between good and evil. The serious practice of religion is an excellent mean to get a solid understanding of it; as, on the contrary, a vicious life doth exceedingly debase and darken the mind, and keep men from the knowledge of truth, which not only Scripture, but even heathen philosophers, have oft observed. Others render it, good success; which seems not to suit well with the following words. In the sight of God; grace or favour with God, and that understanding which is good in God’ s sight, i.e. truly and really; as a truly good man is called good before God, in the Hebrew, .
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.Ver. 4. So shalt thou find favour.] As did Joseph, Moses, David. He was a man after God’ s own heart, and whatsoever he did pleased the people. It is God that gives credit; he fashioneth men’ s opinions, and inclineth their hearts, as Ezra oft acknowledges with much thankfulness.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
(4) Favour and good understanding.—Particularly noted as distinguishing the childhood of our Lord (Luke 2:52).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
Verse 4. So shalt thou find favour] Thou shalt be acceptable to God, and thou shalt enjoy a sense of his approbation. And good understanding] Men shall weigh thy character and conduct; and by this appreciate thy motives, and give thee credit for sincerity and uprightness. Though religion is frequently persecuted, and religious people suffer at first where they are not fully known; yet a truly religious and benevolent character will in general be prized wherever it is well known. The envy of men is a proof of the excellence of that which they envy.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 3:4
4. favour and good understanding] Your character will conciliate for you by its two great elements of mercy and truth, the two corresponding tributes of good-will and respect. (Comp. 1 Samuel 2:26; Luke 2:52.) To find good understanding in the sight of anyone (A.V. and R.V. text), i.e. to be regarded by him as prudent and intelligent, gives a satisfactory sense, without having recourse to the other renderings, good success (A.V. marg.); good repute (R.V. marg.); care or consideration (Maurer, who compares Psalms 41:1 [Hebrews 2], where the same Heb. word is rendered considereth). We are told in this Book that good understanding giveth (or getteth) favour, Proverbs 13:15.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 3:4
Compare Luke 2:52. These are the two conditions of true human growth.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 3:4
4. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding — ùׂ ?ëì, (sekhel,) regard, reputation, before God and man. That is, both God and man will approve, and you shall prosper. The word sekhel is capable of different meanings.
Sermons on Proverbs 3:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Spirit Hath Not Flesh and Bones by Tim Keller | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of Easter, which is that by uniting with Jesus Christ, believers will miss out on nothing. He encourages the congregation to rel |
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Gaining Control in the Classroom by Kent Hovind | In this sermon, Ken Hovind discusses the importance of being a fair and patient teacher, especially when it comes to teaching children about the word of God. He emphasizes the need |
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Acquiring a Heart of Wisdom by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom in our lives, drawing insights from Psalms 90 and the life of Jesus. It highlights the need to submit to imperfect authori |
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Becoming Strong in Spirit by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the idea of compelling others to come to the word of God. He acknowledges that he may have misunderstood how this should be done, but believ |
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(Matthew) Jesus Is the Messiah by Pat Kenney | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the question of "how can this be?" when faced with the grip of a sinful habit. He emphasizes that God wants to set us free and birth something |
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The Cross of Christ - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible. He highlights the moment when Abraham is about to sacrifice his son, but God intervenes and pr |
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3) How Jesus Grew in Wisdom (Kannada) by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of Jesus' example in spending the majority of his life at home and in his place of work before starting his ministry, highlighting the signifi |