Proverbs 8:18 — Word Study
WLCעֹֽשֶׁר־ וְכָב֥וֹד אִתִּ֑י ה֥וֹן עָ֝תֵ֗ק וּצְדָקָֽה׃
BSAWith meʼêth [in my presence, near to me] are richesʻôsher [wealth, treasures] and honorkâbôwd [glory, great respect] enduringʻâthêq△ [lasting, durable] wealthhôwn [substance, valuable possessions] and righteousnesstsᵉdâqâh [moral virtue, justice, including God's justice and virtue]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֹֽשֶׁר־ | wealth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְכָב֥וֹד | and honor | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אִתִּ֑י | [are] with me | Preposition, suffix |
| ה֥וֹן | wealth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| עָ֝תֵ֗ק | enduring | Adj |
| וּצְדָקָֽה׃ | and righteousness | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. |
| KJV | Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. |
| ASV | Riches and honor are with me; Yea, durable wealth and righteousness. |
| YLT | Wealth and honour [are] with me, Lasting substance and righteousness. |
| WEB | With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. |
| BBE | Wealth and honour are in my hands, even wealth without equal and righteousness. |
Where they part company is עָתֵק — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents the treasures of wisdom, with additional phrases elaborating on the nature of those treasures.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 8:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Value of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 8:18 highlights the treasures associated with wisdom, illustrating that those who seek wisdom will find not only material wealth but also honor and righteousness. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of loving and seeking wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 8:17 and Proverbs 8:19, which further illustrate the benefits of wisdom in one’s life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 3:16 | Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. |
| 2 | Proverbs 4:7–9 | Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. |
| 3 | James 2:5 | Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? |
| 4 | Psalm 36:6 | Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 5:14–16 | or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 18 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֹשֶׁר, 'o.sher-generated
The Hebrew word עֹשֶׁר ('o.sher) means 'wealth' or 'riches' and is often associated with abundance. It is a masculine singular noun that indicates a significant amount of valuable possessions, much like the treasures described in 1 Kings 10:23.
This term emphasizes material wealth but can also imply a broader sense of abundance in life. The parsing shows it as a common noun, reinforcing its role in describing tangible riches.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses wealth for עֹשֶׁר. The KJV and ASV also use riches, aligning closely with the BSB.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of עָתֵק. The ASV, KJV, and others use durable, while the BSB and others choose enduring.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is implied in the structure, with the phrase אִתִּי (with me) acting as the subject. The sentence presents a noun phrase followed by a series of attributes describing the wealth and honor associated with wisdom.
The Hebrew structure emphasizes the connection between wisdom and the treasures she offers, with the noun phrases clearly delineating the aspects of wealth and righteousness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, עֹשֶׁר is rendered as πλοῦτος (ploutos), which also means wealth. This choice reflects a direct correlation in meaning, emphasizing material abundance.
The translation of כָּבוֹד as δόχα (doxa) captures the sense of honor and glory, aligning with the Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 8:18 states that true wealth and honor are found in wisdom. It emphasizes that seeking wisdom leads to lasting riches and righteousness, showing the benefits of a wise life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Wisdom offers both material wealth and honor, as well as enduring righteousness.
It follows the assertion that those who love wisdom will find her, emphasizing the rewards of seeking wisdom.
It highlights that the wealth and righteousness associated with wisdom are lasting and not temporary.
It underscores the value of wisdom as a source of true riches and moral integrity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced the benefits of wisdom in my own life?
- How can I seek wisdom more actively in my daily decisions?
- What does it mean to me to have enduring wealth and righteousness?
- How can I share the value of wisdom with others in my community?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 8:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleRiches and honour [are] with me,.... By "riches" are meant not the riches of Christ's person, the perfections of his nature, his works, and his vast empire over all creatures, and the revenues
Read John Gill on Proverbs 8 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryRiches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. Riches and honour are with me; (yea,) durable riches and righteousness.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 8 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhich he mentions here, either, 1. As the best and surest way to get and to keep riches; for estates unjustly gotten quickly vanish, as is manifest both from Scripture and from common observation. Or, 2. To signify that this wisdom gives both worldly and spiritual or heavenly blessings together to its followers, whereas God gives riches alone to ungodly men, and they are to expect no other portion.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 8 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 8:18 Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea], durable riches and righteousness.Ver. 18. Riches and honour are with me.] I come not unaccompanied, but bring with me that which is well worth having. The muses, though Jupiter’ s daughters, and well deserving, yet are said to have had no suitors, because they had no portions. Our Henry VIII, when he died, gave his two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, but ten thousand pounds apiece. But this lady is largely endowed, and yet - such is men’ s dulness - she is put to solicit suitors, by setting forth her great wealth. England’ s Elisabeth.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 8 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) Riches and honour are with me.—“If this passage is taken in a material sense, Psalms 112:3 and the promises in the Pentateuch of wealth as the reward of obedience might be compared with it. But doubtless the “true riches” (Luke 16:11) are here alluded to, the consciousness of possessing God’s honour and favour, called in Ephesians 3:8 the “unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 8 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. Riches and honour are with me] Often the wise, prudent, and discreet man arrives literally to riches and honour; but this is not always the case. But there are other riches of which he never fails; and these seem to be what Solomon has particularly in view, durable riches and righteousness; the treasure deposited by God in earthen vessels.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 8 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. durable] Or, ancient, R.V. marg. The word, of which the root meaning is to grow old, in the sense of continuance, may look backward to what has already grown old and is ancient, or forward to what is abiding, and therefore will grow old. The rendering durable has the advantage of combining both these references. Dean Plumptre adopts the latter view: “The special idea conveyed is that of a treasure piled up for many years, ancient wealth. Comp. the Greek maxim, ἀρχαιοπλούτωνδεσποτῶνπολλὴχάρις, Aesch. Agam. 1043.” and righteousness] A double contrast is implied: (1) Wisdom bestows temporal wealth and prosperity, which because it is procured by righteousness (comp. Proverbs 8:20-21) is…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 8 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleDurable riches - i. e., Treasure piled up for many years; ancient wealth.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 8 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
Riches and honor are with me, long-lasting wealth and righteousness.
Tyndale line
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Riches and honor are with me; Yea, durable wealth and righteousness.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Riches and honor are with me; durable riches and righteousness.
Riches and honour are with me: euen durable riches and righteousnesse.
Strictly literal
Riches and honour are with me; durable wealth and righteousness.
Wealth and honour [are] with me, Lasting substance and righteousness.
Wealth and honor [are] with me, || Lasting substance and righteousness.
Riches and honor are with me, yea, enduring wealth and righteousness.
With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness.
From the Latin
With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice.
Simplified
With me go riches and honor, lasting wealth and prosperity.
Wealth and honour are in my hands, even wealth without equal and righteousness.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 8:18 states, "עֹֽשֶׁר־ וְכָב֥וֹד אִתִּ֑י ה֥וֹן עָ֝תֵ֗ק וּצְדָקָֽה׃" which translates to "With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation in this instance, shows a strong correspondence with five of the six words from the Masoretic Text, indicating a high level of agreement in the key concepts presented. However, the exact wording and structure differ due to the nature of the Greek translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, reinforcing the consistency found in the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint regarding the themes of wealth and righteousness.
עֹֽשֶׁר־ וְכָב֥וֹד אִתִּ֑י ה֥וֹן עָ֝תֵ֗ק וּצְדָקָֽה׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 8:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עֹ֫שֶׁר (osher) primarily means 'riches' or 'wealth.' It is derived from the root word associated with abundance. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to material wealth, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
H6239 עֹ֫שֶׁר riches
6239 `osher o'-sher
from 6238; wealth:--X far (richer), riches.
see HEBREW for 06238
עֹ֫שֶׁר (o.sher) — riches.
wealth, riches
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RICHES
כָּבוֹד (kabowd) refers to concepts of abundance, honour, and glory. It encompasses external splendor, dignity of position, and reputation, as well as the inner nobility of a person. The term can denote both the weightiness of glory and the reverence due to someone. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations.
כָּבוֹד n.m. and f. abundance, honour, glory
abundance, riches
honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
honour, dignity of position
honour, reputation, of character
my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
base
H3519 כָּבוֹד abundance, honour, glory . abundance, riches
. honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
. honour, dignity of position
. honour, reputation, of character
. my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
. honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
. glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
3519 kabowd kaw-bode'
rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from 3513; properly, weight, but
only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or
copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
see HEBREW for 03513
כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glory.
1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance
1a) abundance, riches
1b) honour, splendour, glory
1c) honour, dignity
1d) honour, reputation
1e) honour, reverence, glory
1f) glory
Conj | N-cs — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.
אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity
Of companionship, together with
Of localities
אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially
in one's possession or keeping
in one's knowledge or memory
מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
base
H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with
. Of localities
. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping
. in one's knowledge or memory
. מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
854 'eth ayth
probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a
preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,
at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,
in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional
prefix.
see HEBREW for 0579
אֵת (et) — with.
1) with, near, together with
1a) with, together with
1b) with (of relationship)
1c) near (of place)
1d) with (poss.)
1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
הוֹן (hown) refers to wealth, riches, or substance, and can also imply sufficiency or enough. It is primarily found in poetic contexts, particularly in Wisdom Literature like Proverbs. The term is derived from a related root that conveys the idea of wealth and value.
הוֹן n.m. wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)
base
H1952 הוֹן wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)
1952 hown hone
from the same as 1951 in the sense of 202; wealth; by
implication, enough:--enough, + for nought, riches, substance,
wealth.
see HEBREW for 01951
see HEBREW for 0202
הוֹן (hon) — substance.
1) wealth, riches, substance
1a) wealth
1b) price, high value
interj
2) enough!, sufficiency
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RICHES
עָתֵק (atheq) is an adjective meaning valuable, advanced, or surpassing. It is derived from a root that suggests durability and eminence. The word appears in Proverbs 8:18, where it emphasizes the value of wisdom.
עָתֵק adj. valuable; < advanced, eminent, surpassing;—Pr 8:18
ref
H6276 עָתֵק
6276 `atheq aw-thake'
from 6275; antique, i.e. valued:--durable.
see HEBREW for 06275
עָתֵק (a.teq) — surpassing.
handed forward, advanced, enduring, durable, valuable, eminent, surpassing
Adj — AdjHAamsa
צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, truthfulness, and ethical rightness. It can refer to God's attribute of sovereignty, righteousness in governance, and even justification or salvation. The term also implies righteous acts and has an Aramaic equivalent, צִדְקָה (tsid.qah).
צְדָקָה 157 n.f. righteousness
righteousness, in government
God's attribute as sovereign
righteousness, in a case or cause
righteousness = truthfulness
righteousness, as ethically right
righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.
pl. righteous acts
base
H6666 צְדָקָה righteousness . righteousness, in government
. God's attribute as sovereign
. righteousness, in a case or cause
. righteousness = truthfulness
. righteousness, as ethically right
. righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.
. pl. righteous acts
6666 tsdaqah tsed-aw-kaw'
from 6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude),
objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively
(prosperity):--justice, moderately, right(-eous)
(act, -ly, -ness).
see HEBREW for 06663
צְדָקָה (tse.da.qah) — righteousness.
1) justice, righteousness
1a) righteousness (in government)
1a1) of judge, ruler, king
1a2) of law
1a3) of Davidic king Messiah
1b) righteousness (of God's attribute)
1c) righteousness (in a case or cause)
1d) righteousness, truthfulness
1e) righteousness (as ethically right)
1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation
1f1) of God
1f2) prosperity (of people)
1g) righteous acts
Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):
1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent
2. Social Customs and Righteousness
3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power
4. Righteousness as Inner
5. Righteousness as Social
6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth
LITERATURE
1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:
In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…
Righteousness
See JUSTIFICATION.
Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,