Proverbs 3:13 — Word Study
WLCאַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מָצָ֣א חָכְמָ֑ה וְ֝אָדָ֗ם יָפִ֥יק תְּבוּנָֽה׃
BSABlessedʼesher [happy, fortunate] [is] the manʼâdâm [person, individual] who findsmâtsâʼ■ [discovers, attains] wisdomchokmâh [skill, prudence, good judgment] the manʼâdâm [person, individual] who acquirespûwq [gets, gains] understandingtâbûwn [insight, intelligence, discretion]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַשְׁרֵ֣י | how blessed! | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| אָ֭דָם | [is] a person | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מָצָ֣א | [who] he finds | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| חָכְמָ֑ה | wisdom | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְ֝אָדָ֗ם | and a person | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יָפִ֥יק | [who] he obtains | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| תְּבוּנָֽה׃ | understanding | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, |
| KJV | ¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. |
| ASV | Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. |
| YLT | O the happiness of a man [who] hath found wisdom, And of a man [who] bringeth forth understanding. |
| WEB | Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. |
| BBE | Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge. |
All translations agree on the rendering of אַשְׁרֵי as blessed.
The sentence has a main clause with two subordinate clauses that elaborate on the qualities of the blessed man.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָצָא
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 3:13
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 3:13 is part of a passage that extols the virtues of wisdom and understanding. The verses surrounding it highlight the benefits of these qualities, stating that they are more valuable than material wealth and lead to a blessed life. This section encourages readers to seek wisdom diligently, as it brings true happiness and fulfillment.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 4:5–9 | Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. |
| 2 | Proverbs 8:32–35 | Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. |
| 3 | 1 Kings 10:1–9 | Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 9:15–18 | Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. |
| 5 | Proverbs 2:4 | if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אַשְׁרֵ֣י, 'ash.Reigenerated
The word אַשְׁרֵי ('ash.Rei) is a noun that expresses happiness or blessedness. It is often used to convey a sense of joy and is typically found in a masculine plural form. In this context, it emphasizes the state of being blessed that comes from finding wisdom.
The parsing as a common noun indicates that it refers broadly to individuals, not just a specific person. This word is often used in the Hebrew Bible to introduce statements of blessing, setting the tone for the importance of the subsequent actions of finding wisdom and acquiring understanding.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses blessed to translate אַשְׁרֵי.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is centered around the predicate אַשְׁרֵי, blessed, which describes the state of the person who finds wisdom. Two subordinate clauses follow, detailing the actions of finding wisdom and acquiring understanding.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between the state of being blessed and the actions that lead to it, with the verbs מָצָא (find) and יָפִיק (obtain) clearly marking the actions that contribute to this blessed state.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אַשְׁרֵי as μακάριος (makarios), which also means blessed or happy. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning while also resonating with Greek philosophical concepts of happiness.
The Greek word σοφίαν (sophian) is used for wisdom, indicating a consistent understanding of the value of wisdom across both texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 3:13 tells us that a person is blessed when they find wisdom and acquire understanding. This verse highlights the importance of seeking wisdom, which is portrayed as more valuable than material wealth.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To be blessed means to experience happiness and fortune, particularly as a result of finding wisdom and understanding.
Finding wisdom involves seeking knowledge, learning from experiences, and applying understanding in daily life.
Understanding is portrayed as a valuable asset that complements wisdom, leading to better judgment and insight.
Wisdom is seen as a guiding principle that leads to a fulfilling life, while wealth can be fleeting and does not guarantee happiness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I seek more wisdom and understanding?
- How can I apply the principles of wisdom to my daily decisions?
- What experiences have taught me the value of wisdom?
- How can I encourage others to pursue wisdom and understanding?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers like Basil of Caesarea and Bede reference this verse to discuss the importance of wisdom and the state of being blessed.
The souls of those who are about to speak with wisdom should first be cleansed through divine fear. For to distribute the mysteries of salvation to the general public and to receive all persons equally,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, etc. Because he was comforting those placed under discipline and correction, he adds what he had begun;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 3:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHappy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom,.... Some connect these words with the preceding; as if the sense was, a good man, though he is chastened by the Lord, yet is a happy man; not only because
Read John Gill on Proverbs 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHappy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHappy is the man, notwithstanding all his afflictions, that findeth wisdom; which supposeth his diligent searching for it, expressed . That getteth, Heb. that draweth out; which expression implies two things: 1. That man hath it not naturally in himself, but must have it from another, even from God and his word. 2. That men should labour for it, as those do that dig and draw forth metals out of the earth.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 3:13 Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding.Ver. 13. Happy is the man.] Though afflicted, if with it instructed, si vexatio det intellectum. Bought wit is ever best prized. "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and thereby teachest him out of thy law." Schola crucis, schola lucis. God’ s house of correction is his school of instruction. See my "Love Tokens," p. 145,146, &c. And the man that getteth understanding.] Heb., That draweth out understanding, viz., de thesauro suo, "out of the good treasure of his heart," as that good scribe instructed to the kingdom of heaven. The Chaldee hath it, iabiang, scaturire facit, that hath…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom] This refers to the advice given in Proverbs 2:4; where see the note. See Clarke on Proverbs 2:4.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 3 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. getteth] Lit. draweth forth, or out, R.V. and A.V. marg. The word occurs again Proverbs 8:35, Proverbs 12:2, Proverbs 18:22, in all which places the source of supply is expressed: obtaineth (lit. draweth forth) favour from Jehovah.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 3 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe first beatitude of the Proverbs introduces a new lesson. “Getteth understanding,” literally as in the margin, probably in the sense of “drawing forth from God’s store, from the experience of
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 3 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible13, 14. Here, from his digressions into the sundry particulars above, the instructor returns to the general theme, the excellency of true wisdom.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 3 →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
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding.
Tyndale line
¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome, and the man that getteth vnderstanding.
Strictly literal
Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
O the happiness of a man [who] hath found wisdom, And of a man [who] bringeth forth understanding.
O the blessedness of a man [who] has found wisdom, || And of a man [who] brings forth understanding.
Happy the man that hath found wisdom, and the man that acquireth understanding.
The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.
From the Latin
Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom and is rich in prudence:
Simplified
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.
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 agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This consistency suggests a shared understanding of the text's message about the blessings of wisdom.
אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מָצָ֣א חָכְמָ֑ה וְ֝אָדָ֗ם יָפִ֥יק תְּבוּנָֽה׃
7 of the 7 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 3:13
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.
אֶ֫שֶׁר (esher) refers to happiness or blessedness, often used as an interjection to express joy. It is derived from a related root and appears primarily in a masculine plural form. The entries consistently highlight its meaning related to happiness and blessing.
[אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] n.[m.] happiness, blessedness
base
H835 [אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] happiness, blessedness
835 'esher eh'-sher
from 833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as
interjection, how happy!:--blessed, happy.
see HEBREW for 0833
אֶ֫שֶׁר (e.sher) — blessed.
1) happiness, blessedness
1a) often used as interjection
1b) blessed are
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
bles'-ed (barukh): Where God is referred to, this word has the sense of "praise," as in 1Sa 25:32, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel." But where man is in mind it is used in the sense of "happy" or "favored," and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps 1:1); "Blessed art thou among women" (Lu 1:42); "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3).
See BEATITUDES.
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
מָצָא (matsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to find or attain. It encompasses a range of actions, including discovering something lost, encountering someone, or coming upon a situation. The word can also imply being present or sufficient. Lexicons note various forms and uses, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, which indicate different nuances of finding and encountering.
מָצָא 452 vb. attain to, find
Qal
find
find out
= come upon, light upon
noteworthy phrases
Niph. pass. of Qal, be found
Hiph.
cause to find, attain
cause to light upon, come upon, come
cause to encounter
present unto
base
H4672 מָצָא attain to, find
4672 matsa' maw-tsaw'
a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or
exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire;
figuratively, to occur, meet or be present:--+ be able,
befall, being, catch, X certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to
hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion,
out), get (hold upon), X have (here), be here, hit, be left,
light (up-)on, meet (with), X occasion serve, (be) present,
ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
מָצָא (ma.tsa) — to find.
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
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.
חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom
skill in war
wisdom, in administration
shrewdness, wisdom
wisdom, prudence in religious affairs
wisdom, ethical and religious
base
H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war
. wisdom, in administration
. shrewdness, wisdom
. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs
. wisdom, ethical and religious
2451 chokmah khok-maw'
from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,
wisely, wit.
see HEBREW for 02449
חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.
1) wisdom
1a) skill (in war)
1b) wisdom (in administration)
1c) shrewdness, wisdom
1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wiz'-dum:
1. Linguistic
2. History
3. Religious Basis
4. Ideals
5. Teaching of Christ
6. Remainder of the New Testament
(1) James
(2) Paul
7. Hypostasis
LITERATURE
1. Linguistic:
In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
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
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
The Hebrew word פּוּק (puq) is a verb that primarily means to bring out, furnish, or promote. It is derived from a primitive root and covers a range of meanings including to produce, elicit, and cause to go out. The Hiphil form emphasizes causative actions, such as obtaining or securing something.
פּוּק vb. Hiph. bring out, furnish, promote
produce, furnish
bring out, elicit, obtain
his device do not promote.
base
H6329 פּוּק Hiph. bring out, furnish, promote
6329 puwq pook
a primitive root (identical with 6328 through the idea of
dropping out; compare 5312); to issue, i.e. furnish;
causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed:--afford,
draw out, further, get, obtain.
see HEBREW for 06328
see HEBREW for 05312
פּוּק (puq) — to promote.
1) to bring out, furnish, promote, go out, issue
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to produce, furnish
1a2) to bring out, elicit, obtain, cause to come out from
1a3) to promote
1a4) to cause to go out to
N-fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
תְּבוּנָה (tebunah) means understanding and encompasses intelligence, skill, and insight. It can refer to both the act of understanding and the faculty itself, as well as the object of knowledge. The term is personified as a teacher in some contexts.
תְּבוּנָה n.f. understanding
the act
the faculty
the object of knowledge
personified as teacher.
base
H8394 תְּבוּנָה understanding
8394 tabuwn taw-boon'
and (feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah
{to-boo-naw'}; from 995; intelligence; by implication, an
argument; by extension, caprice:--discretion, reason,
skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
see HEBREW for 0995
תְּבוּנָה (ta.vu.nah) — understanding.
1) understanding, intelligence
1a) the act of understanding
1a1) skill
1b) the faculty of understanding
1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight
1c) the object of knowledge
1d) teacher (personification)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa