Proverbs 7:4 — Word Study
WLCאֱמֹ֣ר לַֽ֭חָכְמָה אֲחֹ֣תִי אָ֑תְּ וּ֝מֹדָ֗ע לַבִּינָ֥ה תִקְרָֽא׃
BSASayʼâmar [speak, declare] to wisdomchokmâh [skill, prudence, or good judgment] Youʼattâh [as a close relative] are my sisterʼâchôwth [a biological sibling, a half-sister, or a close relative] and callqârâʼ▸ [invoke, summon] understandingbîynâh [discernment, wisdom, or knowledge] ◂your kinsmanmôwdaʻ [relative, family member, or close friend]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֱמֹ֣ר | say | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| לַֽ֭חָכְמָה | to wisdom | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| אֲחֹ֣תִי | [are] sister my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אָ֑תְּ | you | Pronoun |
| וּ֝מֹדָ֗ע | and a relative | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לַבִּינָ֥ה | to discernment | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| תִקְרָֽא׃ | you will call | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman, |
| KJV | Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: |
| ASV | Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding thy kinswoman: |
| YLT | Say to wisdom, 'My sister Thou [art].' And cry to understanding, 'Kinswoman!' |
| WEB | Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative, |
| BBE | Say to wisdom, You are my sister; let knowledge be named your special friend: |
Translations agree on the key terms and their familial implications.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two subordinate phrases, creating a clear directive to engage with wisdom and understanding.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאַתְּ
verbאָמַר
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 7:4
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 — Exhortation to Value Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 7:4 emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding in guiding one's life choices. The speaker encourages a familial relationship with these qualities, suggesting they should be treated with the same affection and respect as a sister or close relative. This passage is part of a broader discourse on the value of wisdom found throughout the book of Proverbs, where wisdom is personified and presented as essential for a righteous life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 2:2–4 | if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, |
| 2 | Proverbs 4:6–8 | Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. |
| 3 | Job 17:14 | and say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister,’ |
| 4 | Song of Solomon 8:1 | |
| 5 | Matthew 12:49–50 | Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָכְמָה, chokmahgenerated
The word חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including practical knowledge in areas like war and administration, as well as ethical prudence. It is built from the root word חָכַם (chakam) and appears frequently in contexts that emphasize its importance in decision-making and moral conduct.
In this verse, wisdom is personified as a close relative, indicating a deep connection and reliance on it for guidance in life. The imperative form used here suggests an active engagement with wisdom, urging the listener to recognize its value and integrate it into their daily life.
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 main verb אֱמֹ֣ר ('e.Mor), meaning 'say', governs the structure of the verse, with two clauses following it that describe what to say and how to relate to wisdom and understanding. The direct address to wisdom and understanding creates a personal and intimate tone.
The sentence structure emphasizes the imperative nature of the command, urging the listener to actively engage with wisdom and understanding as if they were family members.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חָכְמָה as σοφίαν (sophian), which conveys a similar meaning of wisdom but may carry different cultural connotations in the Greek context. This choice reflects a broader understanding of wisdom that includes philosophical insights.
The translation of אֱמֹ֣ר as εἶπον (eipon) indicates a straightforward command to speak, aligning closely with the Hebrew imperative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 7:4 encourages treating wisdom as a sister and understanding as a relative. This highlights the importance of valuing wisdom in our lives, indicating that we should seek and cherish it as we would with family.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It suggests that wisdom should be closely regarded and valued, just like a family member, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom in our decisions.
Understanding is portrayed as a close companion in our journey of life, indicating that it should be invoked and relied upon for guidance.
Personifying wisdom as a sister creates a relatable and intimate connection, encouraging individuals to actively seek wisdom in their lives.
This signifies the close relationship and reliance on understanding, suggesting that it is essential for making wise choices.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively seek wisdom in my daily life?
- How do I treat understanding as a close relative in my decision-making?
- What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper relationship with wisdom?
- How can I share the value of wisdom and understanding with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in the life of believers and its role in guiding moral decisions.
It is proper that until we reach maturity, virtue of the soul be within us and personal, but when we reach full maturity so that we are capable also of teaching others,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 7 →
Say to wisdom, You are my sister, etc. Join the wisdom of ecclesiastical doctrine to you with fraternal love; so that it may preserve you from heretical defilement, which is proven to be foreign to the chastity of the Church.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 7 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 7:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSay unto wisdom, Thou art [my] sister,.... Intimately acquainted, greatly beloved, and highly delighted in: this may be understood both of the Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, which men should
Read John Gill on Proverbs 7 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySay unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: Say unto wisdom, Thou (art) my sister; and call understanding (thy) kinswoman. Associate wisdom most closely with thee.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 7 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhen other foolish young men seek wanton mistresses, whom they frequently call sisters or kinswomen, let wisdom be thy mistress; acquaint and delight thyself with her, and let her have the command of thy heart, and the conduct of thy life.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 7 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister; and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:Ver. 4. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister,] q.d., If thou must needs have a lady to set thy love upon, let me commend a mistress to thee more amiable and affable than any that thou canst meet with, and that is heavenly wisdom. Say unto her, Thou art my sister, &c. Christ oft woos his spouse by this title, "My sister, my spouse." As the nearest affinity is spouse, so the nearest consanguinity is sister. There are all bonds to knit us to Christ, there shall be all to knit Christ to us, if we fall in with wisdom; this is to become akin to Christ. And that is the truest nobility where God himself is top…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 7 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. Thou art my sister] Thou art my dearest friend, and I will treat thee as such.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 7 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. kinswoman] Lit. known, i.e. acquaintance, or intimate friend, γνώριμος, LXX.; amica, Vulg. In the only two other places, however, in which the word occurs (Rth 2:1; Rth 3:2) it is used in the sense of kinsman. Comp. Job 17:14.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 7 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4. My sister… kinswoman — Or familiar acquaintance; that is, respect, love, and cherish her. Cp. Job 17:14; Job 30:29; also, Psalms 55:13; Psalms 88:8.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 7 →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
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding a close relative,
Tyndale line
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding thy kinswoman:
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Say to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Say vnto wisedome, Thou art my sister: and call vnderstanding thy kinswoman,
Strictly literal
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call intelligence [thy] kinswoman:
Say to wisdom, 'My sister Thou [art].' And cry to understanding, 'Kinswoman!'
Say to wisdom, “You [are] my sister.” And cry to understanding, “Relative!”
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
From the Latin
Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,
Simplified
Tell wisdom, “You're my sister,” and call insight your best friend.
Say to wisdom, You are my sister; let knowledge be named your special friend:
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 show agreement on the core message of the verse, though the Septuagint's word order and specific articles differ. The Hebrew text emphasizes the familial relationship with wisdom and understanding, while the Septuagint captures the essence without altering the meaning.
אֱמֹ֣ר לַֽ֭חָכְמָה אֲחֹ֣תִי אָ֑תְּ וּ֝מֹדָ֗ע לַבִּינָ֥ה תִקְרָֽא׃
4 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 7:4
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.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
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)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
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…
אָחוֹת (achowth) means 'sister' and can refer to a full sister, half-sister, or a relative. It is used both literally and figuratively, symbolizing relationships such as that of Israel and Judah, and can also imply intimacy or connection. The word is built from a feminine form related to other terms for kinship.
אָחוֹת 114 n.f. sister
sister
= beloved
symbol. of Judah, Samaria, Sodom & Jerusalem
fig. of intimate connection
another
base
H269 אָחוֹת sister
269 'achowth aw-khoth'
irregular feminine of 251; a sister (used very widely (like
250), literally and figuratively):--(an-)other, sister,
together.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 0250
אָחוֹת (a.chot) — sister.
1) sister
1a) sister (same parents)
1b) half-sister (same father)
1c) relative
1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship
1d) beloved
1d1) bride
1e) (fig.) of intimate connection
1f) another
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.
אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou
base
אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)
base
אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)
base
אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)
base
אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
base
H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
859 'attah at-taw'
or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine
(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem
{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah
{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun
of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and
you:--thee, thou, ye, you.
אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).
you (second pers. sing. masc.)
אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).
you (second pers. pl. masc.)
Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)
אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).
you (second pers. pl. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
Pron — PronounHPp2fs
מוֹדַע (mowda) refers to a kinsman or relative. It is derived from the root meaning 'to know' and emphasizes a familial connection. The entries consistently define it in relation to kinship, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
מוֹדַע, מֹדָע n.m. kinsman
base
H4129 מוֹדַע, מֹדָע kinsman
4129 mowda` mo-dah'
or rather modao {mo-daw'}; from 3045; an
acquaintance:--kinswoman.
see HEBREW for 03045
מוֹדַע (mo.da) — kinsman.
kinsman, relative
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
בִּינָה (biynah) means understanding and encompasses the act, faculty, and object of knowledge, even personified in some contexts. It is derived from the root meaning to discern or comprehend. The Aramaic equivalent is בִּינָה (H0999).
בִּינָה n.f. understanding
the act
the faculty
the object of knowledge
personified
base
H998 בִּינָה understanding . the act
. the faculty
. the object of knowledge
. personified
998 biynah bee-naw'
from 995; understanding:--knowledge, meaning, X perfectly,
understanding, wisdom.
see HEBREW for 0995
בִּינָה (bi.nah) — understanding.
1) understanding, discernment
1a) act
1b) faculty
1c) object
1d) personified
Aramaic equivalent: bi.nah (בִּינָה "understanding" H0999)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms
Call
(1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26). Thus men are said to “call upon the name of the Lord” (Acts 2:21; 7:59; 9:14; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:2).
(2.) God calls with respect to men when he designates them to some special office (Ex. 31:2; Isa. 22:20; Acts 13:2), and when he invites them to accept his offered grace (Matt. 9:13; 11:28; 22:4).