Proverbs 4:8
Proverbs 4:8 in Multiple Translations
Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
Put her in a high place, and you will be lifted up by her; she will give you honour, when you give her your love.
Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
Exalt her, and she shall exalt thee: she shall bring thee to honour, if thou embrace her.
Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
Take hold on her, and she shall exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified by her, when thou shalt embrace her.
If you consider being wise to be very valuable, people will think very highly of you. If you cling to wisdom like you would cling to a woman you love, many people will honor you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 4:8
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 4:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
סַלְסְלֶ֥/הָ
וּֽ/תְרוֹמְמֶ֑/ךָּ
תְּ֝כַבֵּ֗דְ/ךָ
כִּ֣י
תְחַבְּקֶֽ/נָּה
סַלְסְלֶ֥/הָ
çâlal
H5549
to build
V-l-Impv-2ms | Suff
וּֽ/תְרוֹמְמֶ֑/ךָּ
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
Conj | V-o-Imperf-3fs | Suff
תְּ֝כַבֵּ֗דְ/ךָ
kâbad
H3513
to honor
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs | Suff
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
תְחַבְּקֶֽ/נָּה
châbaq
H2263
to embrace
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 4:8
סַלְסְלֶ֥/הָ
çâlal
H5549
"to build"
V-l-Impv-2ms | Suff
This verb means to build or exalt something, like a road or a song, as seen in Isaiah 57:14 and 62:10 where God commands the Israelites to build a highway for his people. It can also mean to oppose or resist something.
Definition: 1) to lift up, cast up, exalt 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cast up a highway 1a2) to cast up a way 1a3) to lift up (of song) 1b) (Pilpel) to exalt, esteem highly, prize 1c) (Hithpoel) to exalt oneself
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain, raise up. See also: Exodus 9:17; Proverbs 15:19; Psalms 68:5.
וּֽ/תְרוֹמְמֶ֑/ךָּ
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
Conj | V-o-Imperf-3fs | Suff
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
תְּ֝כַבֵּ֗דְ/ךָ
kâbad
H3513
"to honor"
V-Piel-Imperf-3fs | Suff
This word can mean to honor or make something weighty, like when God is glorified in Psalm 138, or to be heavy with burdens, as the Israelites were in Exodus 18.
Definition: : honour/glory 1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be heavy 1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull 1a3) to be honoured 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant 1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible 1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify 1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to make heavy 1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive 1e3) to cause to be honoured 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous 1f2) to honour oneself
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop. See also: Genesis 13:2; Job 6:3; Psalms 15:4.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
תְחַבְּקֶֽ/נָּה
châbaq
H2263
"to embrace"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms | Suff
To embrace means to clasp someone or something tightly, like when Jonathan and David hugged each other in 1 Samuel.
Definition: 1) to embrace, clasp 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to embrace 1a2) to fold one's hands in idleness (fig.) 1b) (Piel) to embrace
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: embrace, fold. See also: Genesis 29:13; Proverbs 5:20; Proverbs 4:8.
Study Notes — Proverbs 4:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 4:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
- Sermons on Proverbs 4:8
Context — A Father’s Instruction
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.
7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
8Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.” 10Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 12:3 | Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:30 | Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. |
| 3 | Proverbs 3:35 | The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame. |
| 4 | Proverbs 22:4 | The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 3:5–13 | One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you. Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. |
Proverbs 4:8 Summary
[Proverbs 4:8 tells us that when we highly value wisdom, it will lift us up and honor us. This means that if we make wisdom a priority in our lives, God will promote us and give us a good reputation, as we see in Proverbs 3:4, where we find favor and a good name with God and man. By embracing wisdom, we are essentially saying yes to God's plan for our lives and trusting in His goodness. As we prize wisdom, we can expect to be blessed and honored by God, just like in Psalms 1:3, where the person who delights in God's Word is like a tree planted by streams of water.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'prize' wisdom in Proverbs 4:8?
To prize something means to value it highly, as seen in Proverbs 4:8, where we are encouraged to highly value wisdom, and she will exalt us, just like in Proverbs 22:1, where a good name is to be prized more than riches.
How does embracing wisdom lead to being honored, as stated in Proverbs 4:8?
Embracing wisdom means to fully accept and apply its principles in our lives, which leads to being honored by God and others, as we see in Proverbs 3:35, where the wise inherit honor.
What is the relationship between valuing wisdom and being exalted, as mentioned in Proverbs 4:8?
When we value wisdom, we are exalted by God, not in a prideful sense, but in the sense of being lifted up and promoted in our spiritual walk, as seen in Psalms 37:11, where the meek will inherit the earth.
How does Proverbs 4:8 relate to the concept of humility in the Bible?
Proverbs 4:8 relates to humility because when we prize and embrace wisdom, we are essentially humbling ourselves before God, recognizing our need for His guidance, and this humility leads to exaltation and honor, as seen in Proverbs 22:4, where humility and the fear of the Lord lead to wealth and honor and life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some practical ways I can start to 'prize' wisdom in my daily life, and how can I make it a priority?
- How has embracing wisdom in the past led to my being honored or exalted in some way, and what did I learn from the experience?
- In what areas of my life do I need to apply the principles of wisdom, and how can I take the first step towards doing so?
- What does it mean for me to be 'exalted' by God, and how can I trust in His timing and plan for my life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee,.... Christ is to be exalted in his person, by asserting his proper deity; by ascribing all divine perfections to him; by allowing him to be the author of all
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her; let her have thine highest esteem and affection. To honour, both with God and men; which Solomon knew by experience.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
Proverbs 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.Ver. 8. Exalt her, and she shall.] Have a high and honourable esteem of her and her children. Rabbi Solomon, out of the Talmudists, renders it, Search for her, minutatim in ea singula consectans, do it diligently, as holding every parcel of her precious, as men do the very filings of gold.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
(8) Exalt her, and she shall promote thee.—Comp. 1 Samuel 2:30, “Them that honour me I will honour.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
Verse 8. She shall bring thee to honour] There is nothing, a strict life of piety and benevolence excepted, that has such a direct tendency to reflect honour upon a man, as the careful cultivation of his mind. One of Bacon's aphorisms was, Knowledge is power; and it is truly astonishing to see what influence true learning has. Nothing is so universally respected, provided the learned man be a consistent moral character, and be not proud and overbearing; which is a disgrace to genuine literature.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:8
Seventh Address. Chap. Proverbs 4:1-9 Resuming, after the parenthesis (Proverbs 3:27-35) the style and tone of fatherly address of the preceding sections, the Teacher commends Wisdom to his scholars as his children, by the example of his own early education. Mr Horton happily remarks, “This chapter begins with a charming little piece of autobiography,” and quotes Wordsworth’s words, “Wisdom doth live with children round her knees.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8
8. Bring thee to honour — Or, “load thee with honour.” When (or because) thou dost embrace her — Honour will follow as a consequence. Embracing is expressive of affectionate attachment, love.
Sermons on Proverbs 4:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Get Wisdom by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom in order to find true and lasting happiness. He acknowledges that people may pursue temporary sources of hap |
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Jude #6 - Cain, Balaam and Korah by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the downward degeneration of individuals who profess to be Christians but do not bear fruit. He uses poetic language to describe this degenera |
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Genesis #04 Ch. 1:19-2:3 Life After It's Own Kind by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the speaker discusses various topics related to the design and complexity of the world. They mention the Aswan Dam and its ecological disaster, comparing it to Isai |
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(Mount Vernon) Daniel by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a wise and righteous life. He uses the example of a man who behaved wisely because of God's presence with him. The s |
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James 5 Expositional by Chuck Smith | This sermon by James focuses on various important topics such as the warning to the rich about the dangers of setting their hearts on riches, the importance of patience in waiting |
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10 Vital Evidences of Salvation by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not being ashamed of the gospel of Christ, highlighting the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. It discusses the unleashing of |
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Are You a Soul Winner?! (2012) by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story of being in war and the guilt and confusion he felt after killing someone. He expresses anger towards God for allowing such viol |