Proverbs 3:16 — Word Study
WLCאֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים בִּֽימִינָ֑הּ בִּ֝שְׂמֹאולָ֗הּ עֹ֣שֶׁר וְכָבֽוֹד׃
BSALongʼôrek lifeyôwm [length of days, a long period of time] is in her right handyâmîyn [the right hand or side; the south] in her left handsᵉmôʼwl [direction of receiving, or the north] [are] richesʻôsher [wealth, abundant treasures] and honorkâbôwd [glory, great respect, splendor]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֹ֣רֶךְ | length of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יָ֭מִים | days | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| בִּֽימִינָ֑הּ | [is] in right [hand] her | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| בִּ֝שְׂמֹאולָ֗הּ | [are] in left [hand] her | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| עֹ֣שֶׁר | wealth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְכָבֽוֹד׃ | and honor | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. |
| KJV | Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. |
| ASV | Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. |
| YLT | Length of days [is] in her right hand, In her left [are] wealth and honour. |
| WEB | Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. |
| BBE | Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour. |
The translations agree on the meaning of wisdom providing both long life and material wealth.
The sentence has a main clause with two prepositional phrases describing what wisdom holds in both hands.
7 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 3:16
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 Benefits of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 3:16 emphasizes the rewards of wisdom, illustrating that it brings both longevity and material wealth. This verse fits within a larger discourse on the value of wisdom, which is described as more precious than rubies in Proverbs 3:15. The passage encourages readers to seek wisdom for a fulfilling life, as seen in the subsequent verses that discuss the peace and blessings that wisdom provides, such as in Proverbs 3:17.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 3:2 | for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life. |
| 2 | Proverbs 4:10 | Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. |
| 3 | Psalm 21:4 | He asked You for life, and You granted it— length of days, forever and ever. |
| 4 | Psalm 71:9 | Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails. |
| 5 | 1 Timothy 4:8 | For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֹ֣רֶךְ, 'O.rekhgenerated
The word אֹ֫רֶךְ ('orek) is a noun that signifies 'length' and can refer to both physical distance and duration of time. It encompasses the idea of patience and self-restraint, suggesting that a long life is not just about years but also about the quality of those years.
This word is a masculine singular construct, indicating a relationship with the following noun יָ֭מִים (yamim), which means 'days'. Together, they express the concept of a long life measured in days, highlighting the importance of wisdom in achieving this blessing.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered similarly across translations, with all agreeing on the essence of wisdom providing long life and riches.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause centers around the finite verb אֹ֣רֶךְ, is, which governs the subject of long life and the predicate phrases that describe what wisdom holds in her hands. The structure shows a clear parallelism between the right and left hands, emphasizing the dual blessings of life and wealth.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the blessings associated with wisdom, with the right hand mentioned first, suggesting a primary focus on long life before introducing the wealth and honor in the left hand.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word for 'length' is μῆκος (mēkos), which carries a similar meaning of duration or extent. This choice aligns with the Hebrew's emphasis on long life, but it may also suggest a broader interpretation of the concept of life.
The Greek translation uses βίου (biou) for 'days', indicating a focus on the quality of life, complementing the Hebrew understanding of days as both literal and figurative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 3:16 tells us that wisdom offers long life and material wealth. It emphasizes that in her right hand is the promise of many days, while her left hand holds riches and honor, encouraging us to value wisdom for a fulfilling life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It refers to both a lengthy lifespan and the quality of life experienced through wisdom.
Wisdom leads to choices that result in prosperity and respect in life.
The right hand symbolizes strength and favor, while the left hand represents receiving blessings.
This verse teaches that seeking wisdom can lead to both spiritual and material rewards.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced the benefits of wisdom in my life?
- How can I actively seek wisdom to enhance my daily living?
- What does it mean to me that wisdom holds both long life and riches?
- How can I apply the teachings of this verse to my relationships and decisions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers comment on this verse, discussing the contrast between the blessings of wisdom in the right and left hands.
The careful reader will easily perceive how great a difference there is between the right and the left side of wisdom when he has taken note of what she is reported to hold in her right hand and in her left, for Scripture says,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
As Proverbs has it, “Length of days and years of life are in his right hand,” and this means eternal blessedness, whereas "In his left hand are riches and glory,” denoting the good things of this world,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
The Church says by the voice of the elect, "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me." The left hand of God, to wit prosperity in the present life, she has put under her head,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 3 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 3:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLength of days [is] in her right hand,.... Wisdom is here represented as a queen, as indeed she is above all kings and queens; see Proverbs 8:15; holding in one hand, instead of a sceptre, "length of
Read John Gill on Proverbs 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLength of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Length of days is in her right hand (cf. note, Proverbs 3:2); and in her left hand riches and honour.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWisdom is here represented as a great and generous princess distributing gifts to her subjects. She giveth them long life, &c., unless when she foresees that these things would prove snares and mischiefs to them, as they very frequently do to others.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 3:16 Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.Ver. 16. Length of days is in her right hand.] This is the same in effect with Proverbs 3:2. Oυμονονταυτααλλακαιπεριταυτων, said Socrates. The same again may be profitably said over; Solomon wanted neither matter, nor words, and yet he repeats and inculcates (for his readers’ greater benefit) the same matter in the self same words almost. Nunquam satis dicitur quod nunquam satis discitur. As to the text, health and long life is that which every man covets. Now, Non domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri aegroto domini deducant corpore febres. "Riches avail not in the day of wrath, but…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. Length of days is in her right hand] A wicked man shortens his days by excesses; a righteous man prolongs his by temperance. In her left hand riches and honour.] That is, her hands are full of the choicest benefits. There is nothing to be understood here by the right hand in preference to the left.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 3 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. The LXX. add at the end of this verse: “Out of her mouth proceedeth righteousness; Instruction and compassion she beareth upon her tongue.”
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 3 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible16. Right hand… left hand — Wisdom is here represented as dispensing her blessings with both hands, that is, abundantly.
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
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Tyndale line
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
Length of days is in her right had; in her left hand are riches and honour.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.
Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.
Strictly literal
Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour.
Length of days [is] in her right hand, In her left [are] wealth and honour.
Length of days [is] in her right hand, || In her left [are] wealth and honor.
Length of days is in her right hand: in her left are riches and honor.
She has length of days in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
From the Latin
Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.
Simplified
She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.
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 closely in their wording for Proverbs 3:16, with all six words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this verse across different traditions.
אֹ֣רֶךְ יָ֭מִים בִּֽימִינָ֑הּ בִּ֝שְׂמֹאולָ֗הּ עֹ֣שֶׁר וְכָבֽוֹד׃
6 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 3:16
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.
אֹ֫רֶךְ (orek) means 'length' and can refer to physical length or duration of time. It also encompasses concepts of forbearance and self-restraint, particularly in the context of patience. The word is derived from a root associated with the idea of length, as noted in Strong's entries.
אֹ֫רֶךְ 94 n.[m.] length
length
of time
forbearance, self-restraint
base
H753 אֹ֫רֶךְ length
753 'orek o'rek'
from 748; length:--+ forever, length, long.
see HEBREW for 0748
אֹ֫רֶךְ (o.rekh) — length.
1) length
1a) physical length
1b) of time
2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word יָמִין (*yamiyn*) means 'right hand' or 'right side,' and it can also refer to the direction south, as the right hand points south when facing east. It is derived from the root word for 'to be strong' and covers various contexts, including body parts and directional references.
יָמִין 137 n.f. right hand
right hand
of situation on, or direction toward the right
of other parts of the body
= south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south
base
H3225 יָמִין right hand . right hand
. of situation on, or direction toward the right
. of other parts of the body
. = south, because when facing east the right hand is toward the south
3225 yamiyn yaw-meen'
from 3231; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or
other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally,
the south:--+ left-handed, right (hand, side), south.
see HEBREW for 03231
יָמִין (ya.min) — right.
1) right, right hand, right side
1a) right hand
1b) right (of direction)
1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)
Also means: ya.min (יָמִין ": south" H3225H)
יָמִין (ya.min) — right: south.
1) right, right hand, right side
1a) right hand
1b) right (of direction)
1c) south (the direction of the right hand when facing East)
יָמִין (ya.min) — [Ben]jamin.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18;
son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354);
brother of: Joseph (H3130);
half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783);
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp3fs
שְׂמֹאל (semol) means 'left' and can refer to the left hand or side. It also denotes the direction north when facing east. The word is derived from the idea of darkness or being enveloped, suggesting a connection to the north. The entries consistently highlight these meanings without significant disagreement.
שְׂמֹאל, שְׂמֹאול 54 n.[m.] the left (√ dub.)
left, region on the left
left hand
= north (on left of one facing east)
base
H8040 שְׂמֹאל, שְׂמֹאול the left (√ dub.) . left, region on the left
. left hand
. = north (on left of one facing east)
8040 smo'wl sem-ole'
or smosl {sem-ole'}; a primitive word (rather perhaps from
the same as 8071 (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea
of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the
north; hence (by orientation), the left hand:--left (hand,
side).
see HEBREW for 08071
שְׂמֹאל (se.mo.l) — left.
1) the left, the left hand, the left side
1a) left
1b) left hand
1c) north (as one faces east)
שְׂמֹאל (se.mo.l) — left: north.
1) the left, the left hand, the left side
1a) left
1b) left hand
1c) north (as one faces east)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3fs
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