Proverbs 2:4 — Word Study
WLCאִם־ תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה כַכָּ֑סֶף וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה׃
BSAifʼim you seekbâqash▸ [diligently, with all your heart] it like silverkeçeph [precious] and search it outchâphas▸ [look carefully, investigate thoroughly] like hidden treasuremaṭmôwn [valuable]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אִם־ | if | Particle |
| תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה | you will seek it | Verb piel imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| כַכָּ֑סֶף | like silver | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים | and like treasures | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה׃ | you will search for it | Verb qal imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, |
| KJV | If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; |
| ASV | If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures: |
| YLT | If thou dost seek her as silver, And as hid treasures searchest for her, |
| WEB | if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; |
| BBE | If you are looking for her as for silver, and searching for her as for stored-up wealth; |
Translations agree on the call to seek wisdom diligently, using similar phrases to convey the emphasis on its value.
The sentence is structured around a conditional clause, with two main actions emphasized through parallelism.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
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 2:4
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 Pursuit of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 2:4 emphasizes the necessity of actively seeking wisdom and understanding. The author presents wisdom as something precious, worthy of diligent search, akin to valuable silver and hidden treasures. This theme of seeking wisdom is echoed throughout the book of Proverbs, where the pursuit of knowledge is consistently portrayed as essential for a fulfilling life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 3:14–15 | for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. |
| 2 | Proverbs 8:18–19 | With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. |
| 3 | Proverbs 16:16 | How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. |
| 4 | Proverbs 23:23 | Invest in truth and never sell it— in wisdom and instruction and understanding. |
| 5 | Psalm 19:10 | They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה, te.vak.She.nahgenerated
The verb בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a piel imperfect form meaning 'to seek' or 'to search out.' It indicates an active and intentional effort to find something, in this case, wisdom. The parsing as a second person masculine singular suggests that the reader is being directly addressed and encouraged to engage in this pursuit.
This form of the verb implies not just a casual search but a committed and thorough investigation, as indicated by the amplification in the verse. The context of seeking wisdom is vital in Proverbs, where it is often linked to understanding and discernment.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is built around two main verbs: תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה (you will seek) and תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה (you will search for it). Each verb is followed by its respective object, creating a parallel structure that emphasizes the actions of seeking and searching.
The Hebrew word order places the verbs prominently, highlighting the importance of these actions in the pursuit of wisdom. The use of conjunctions and prepositions connects the ideas fluidly, reinforcing the relationship between seeking wisdom and its value.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה is rendered as αὐτὴν, indicating a direct object that maintains the focus on wisdom. This choice reflects the translators' intention to convey the importance of actively pursuing wisdom as a tangible goal.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text, emphasizing the value of wisdom and the necessity of seeking it diligently.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 2:4 encourages readers to seek wisdom as they would seek silver or hidden treasures. This comparison highlights the value of wisdom and the effort required to attain it, suggesting that just as people work hard to find wealth, they should also strive for understanding.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means to pursue wisdom with the same intensity and dedication that people often use to seek after material wealth.
You can search for wisdom by studying scripture, seeking counsel, and being open to learning from experiences.
Wisdom is considered valuable and often requires effort to uncover, much like hidden treasures that are not immediately visible.
Diligence is crucial as it reflects the seriousness of the pursuit and the commitment to understanding and applying wisdom in life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I pursued wisdom in my own life?
- What are some practical steps I can take to seek understanding like silver?
- How do I prioritize my search for wisdom amidst other pursuits?
- What hidden treasures of wisdom have I discovered through my experiences?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Augustine and Bede reference this verse to highlight the importance of seeking wisdom with the same fervor as one seeks wealth.
Another passage of Scripture exhorting us to love of wisdom says it should be sought after like money. Must we therefore think holy Scripture praises avarice? It is well known to what great efforts and pains lovers of money will patiently…Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 2 →
It’s unfitting, it’s insulting, that wisdom should be compared with money, but love is being compared to love. What I see here, after all, is that you all love money in such a way that when love of money gives the order,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 2 →
If you seek it like silver, etc. If with so much care you seek wisdom as the covetous seek silver, or certainly if you seek that same wisdom as anxiously as if you were to acquire through it infinite and ineffable riches,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 2 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 2:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIf thou seekest her as silver,.... That is, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding; which all signify and relate unto one and the same thing, expressed here by "her": namely, the doctrine of wisdom, or
Read John Gill on Proverbs 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIf thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as (for) hid treasures - not content with merely one look, or an
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWith the same unwearied diligence, and earnest desire, and patient expectation under all delays, disappointments, and difficulties, which worldlings use in the purchase of riches, or in digging in mines of silver.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures;Ver. 4. If thou seekest her as silver.] Opulentissima metalla quorum in alta latent venae, saith Seneca, Your richest metals lie lowest. Viscera terrae extrahimus, ut digito gestetur gemma, quam petimus, saith Pliny; We draw out the very bowels of the earth, that we may get the gem that we desire. Shall we not do as much for this pearl of price, the knowledge of God and his will, of ourselves, and our duties? Beg we must; but with it we must dig too, and continue to do so, searching for her as for hid treasures. Ora et labora, for else "the talk of the lip only brings want." What man, finding a rich…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 2 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) If thou seekest her as silver.—That the process of mining was understood long before the time of Solomon, is proved by the remains of copper mines discovered in the peninsula of Sinai, and the gold mines in the Bisháree desert of Egypt. Rock inscriptions have been found near the former, dating from a great age, in the opinion of Lepsius from 4000 B.C. (See the article “Mines,” in Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible; comp. also the description in Job 28:1-11.) Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia (2 Chronicles 9:14) and Tarshish (2 Chronicles 9:21), probably Tartessus, in Spain. Searchest for her as for hid treasures.—From the great insecurity of life and property in Eastern countries…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 2 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. If thou seekest her as silver] How do men seek money? What will they not do to get rich? Reader, seek the salvation of thy soul as earnestly as the covetous man seeks wealth; and be ashamed of thyself, if thou be less in earnest after the true riches than he is after perishing wealth. Hid treasures] The original word signifies property of any kind concealed in the earth, in caves or such like; and may also mean treasures, such as the precious metals or precious stones, which are presumptively known to exist in such and such mines. And how are these sought? Learn from the following circumstance: In the Brazils slaves are employed to scrape up the soil from the bed of the Rio…
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 2 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. as silver … hid treasures] It has been supposed that there is reference here to the eagerness and effort connected with the discovery and working of a silver mine, and to the search for treasure hidden in the earth. See, for example, Dean Plumptre’s interesting note on this verse in the Speaker’s Commentary. It may well be doubted, however, whether by silver be not rather meant, money, or wealth, generally. LXX. ἀργύριον, Vulg. pecuniam. Comp. φιλαργυρία, 1 Timothy 6:10; ἀφιλάργυρος, Hebrews 13:5. (See Smith’s Bible Dict., Art. Silver: “its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the O.T. we find ceseph, silver, used for money, like the Fr. argent.”) We are told that…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 2 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleNote the illustrations. (1) Contact with Phoenician commerce, and joint expeditions in ships of Tarshish (see Psalms 72:10 note), had made the Israelites familiar with the risks and the enterprise of the miller’s life.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 2 →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
if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,
if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,
if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure,
Tyndale line
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:
If thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
If thou seekest her as siluer, and searchest for her as for treasures,
Strictly literal
if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures:
If thou dost seek her as silver, And as hid treasures searchest for her,
If you seek her as silver, || And search for her as hid treasures,
If thou wilt seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:
if you seek it like you would seek silver and search for understanding as you would seek hidden treasures,
From the Latin
If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure:
Simplified
if you look for it as if it were silver and search for it as if it were hidden treasure;
If you are looking for her as for silver, and searching for her as for stored-up wealth;
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 and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with four out of five words matched. The Septuagint's rendering confirms the emphasis on the active pursuit of wisdom, though its word order differs.
אִם־ תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה כַכָּ֑סֶף וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה׃
4 of the 5 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 2:4
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.
אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.
אִם conj.
hypoth. part. if
Interrog. part.
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if
. Interrog. part.
H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
518 'im eem
a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;
interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh
that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,
doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +
more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,
+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,
none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,
whereas, whether, while, + yet.
אִם (im) — if.
: if/whether_or/though
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
אִם (im) — if: surely no.
: surely_no
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: surely yes.
: surely_yes
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: until.
: until/except
Conj — ParticleHTc
בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or search out, often in the context of worship or prayer. It encompasses a range of actions including asking, desiring, and requiring. The verb can appear in different forms, such as Piel and Pual, indicating various nuances of seeking or being sought.
[בָּקַשׁ] 224 vb. seek
Pi.
seek to find
seek to secure
seek the face
desire, demand
require, exact
exact equivalent or penalty for
(late) ask, request
Pu. be sought
base
H1245 בָּקַשׁ seek
1245 baqash baw-kash'
a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically
in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:--ask,
beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,
(make) request, require, seek (for).
בָּקַשׁ (ba.qash) — to seek.
1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to seek to find
1a2) to seek to secure
1a3) to seek the face
1a4) to desire, demand
1a5) to require, exact
1a6) to ask, request
1b) (Pual) to be sought
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms | Suff — Verb piel imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHVpi2ms/Sp3fs
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) refers to silver and money, derived from a root meaning 'to be pale.' It encompasses various aspects of silver, including its use as a metal, ornament, and a measure of wealth or value. The term appears in contexts related to payment and price, indicating its significance in transactions.
כֶּ֫סֶף 402 n.m. silver, money
= silver ore, raw silver
silver as bright, shining
silver, as wealth
silver as spoil of war
silver as merchandise
silver as costly gift
silver as material
silver as measure of weight and value
among vbs. and phr.
base
H3701 כֶּ֫סֶף silver, money
3701 keceph keh'-sef
from 3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication,
money:--money, price, silver(-ling).
see HEBREW for 03700
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: money.
: money/payment/silver
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: price.
: price
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
sil'-ver (keceph; argurion, arguros): Silver was known in the earliest historic times. Specimens of early Egyptian and Babylonian silver work testify to the skill of the ancient silversmiths. In Palestine, silver objects have been found antedating the occupation of the land by the Hebrews. This metal was used for making all kinds of ornamental objects. In the mound of Gezer were found bowls, vases, ladles, hairpins, rings and bracelets of silver. The rings and settings for scarabs or seals were commonly of this metal. The first mention of silver in the Bible is in Ge 13:2, where it says that Abraham was rich in cattle, in silver and gold. At that time it was commonly used in exchange in the form of bars or other shapes. Coins of that metal were of a much later date (Ge 20:16…
Silver
Used for a great variety of purposes, as may be judged from the frequent references to it in Scripture. It first appears in commerce in Gen. 13:2; 23:15, 16. It was largely employed for making vessels for the sanctuary in the wilderness (Ex. 26:19; 27:17; Num. 7:13, 19; 10:2). There is no record of its having been found in Syria or Palestine. It was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, from Spain and India and other countries probably.
In very early times silver was used for ornaments, (Genesis 24:53) and for vessels of various kinds. Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver or overlaid with it, (Exodus 20:23; Hosea 13:2); Habb 2:19 Bar. 6:39, and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus. (Acts 19:24) But its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the Old Testament we find "silver" used for money, like the French argent . Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia, (2 Chronicles 9:14) and from Tarshish, (2 Chronicles 9:21) which supplied the markets…
One of the precious metals and the one most commonly used as coin among all nations. It is first mentioned in Scripture in the history of Abraham, Ge 13:2 20:16 23:16, and was used in constricting the tabernacle, Ex 26:19,32, and afterwards the temple, 1Ch 29:4. In employing it as a medium of trade, the ancient Hebrews weighed it out, instead of having coins. In the times of the New Testament there were coins. See SHEKEL, and MONEY.
מַטְמוֹן (matmown) refers to hidden or secret treasure, often implying a valuable or buried store of wealth. It is derived from a root meaning to hide. The term is consistently defined across entries, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַטְמוֹן n.m. hidden treasure, treasure
base
H4301 מַטְמוֹן hidden treasure, treasure
4301 matmown mat-mone'
or matmon {mat-mone'}; or matmun {mat-moon'}; from 2934; a
secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried);
generally money:--hidden riches, (hid) treasure(-s).
see HEBREW for 02934
מַטְמוֹן (mat.mon) — treasure.
hidden treasure, treasure
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Rd/Ncmpa
Kings were wont to store their possessions and guard what they most valued in well-fortified cities, hence called treasure-cities, Ex 1:11; 1Ch 27:25; Ezr 5:17. "Treasures in the field," Jer 41:8, were provisions, etc., buried, as is the custom in many parts of the world, in subterranean pits. Numerous ruined granaries of this kind are still found in the vicinity of Bethshean. The "pilgrim fathers" in like manner found heaps of corn buried in the ground by the Indians. In consequence also of the great insecurity of property in the East, it seems to have been usual from the earliest times to hide in the ground gold and jewels; and the owners being killed or driven away, or…
חָפַשׂ (chaphas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to search or seek out. It can also imply disguising oneself or being searched for. The word has various forms, including Qal (to search), Niphal (to be searched out), and Hithpael (to disguise oneself). It encompasses a range of meanings related to searching, testing, and exposure.
[חָפַשׂ] vb. search
Qal search, search out
search for
= think out, devise
search = test
Niph. searched out = exposed and plundered
Pi.
search through
search for
Pu. be searched for = be hidden
Hithp. disguise oneself (lit. let oneself be searched for)
base
H2664 [חָפַשׂ] search
2664 chaphas khaw-fas'
a primitive root; to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself
(i.e. let be sought), or mask:--change, (make) diligent
(search), disquise self, hide, search (for, out).
חָפַשׂ (cha.pha.s) — to search.
1) to search, search for, to search out, disguise oneself
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to search for
1a2) to think out, devise
1a3) to search, test
1b) (Niphal) to be searched out, be exposed
1c) (Piel) to search, search through, search for
1d) (Pual) to be searched for, be sought out
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to disguise oneself
1e2) to let oneself be searched for
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHVqi2ms/Sp3fs