Proverbs 8:21 — Word Study
WLCלְהַנְחִ֖יל אֹהֲבַ֥י׀ יֵ֑שׁ וְאֹצְרֹ֖תֵיהֶ֣ם אֲמַלֵּֽא׃ פ
BSAbestowingnâchal [granting abundantly] wealthyêsh [substance, riches] on those who love meʼâhab [truly, deeply, have affection for] and makingmâlêʼ▸ [filling completely] their treasuries {full}ʼôwtsâr [storehouses, treasure houses, abundant, overflowing]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְהַנְחִ֖יל | to give as an inheritance | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common |
| אֹהֲבַ֥י׀ | [those who] love me | Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
| יֵ֑שׁ | substance | Part |
| וְאֹצְרֹ֖תֵיהֶ֣ם | and treasuries their | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| אֲמַלֵּֽא׃ פ | I fill | Verb, Piel, imperfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. |
| KJV | That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. |
| ASV | That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries. |
| YLT | To cause my lovers to inherit substance, Yea, their treasures I fill. |
| WEB | that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. |
| BBE | So that I may give my lovers wealth for their heritage, making their store-houses full. |
The translations agree that wisdom grants wealth to those who love her.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a participial phrase, indicating the actions associated with loving wisdom.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָלֵא
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 8:21
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 8:21 highlights the rewards of loving wisdom, illustrating how those who cherish her receive abundant wealth and overflowing treasuries. This passage emphasizes the connection between love for wisdom and the blessings that follow, aligning with the broader themes of Proverbs that advocate for the pursuit of wisdom as a path to prosperity and fulfillment.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 8:18 | With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. |
| 2 | Proverbs 1:13 | We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. |
| 3 | Proverbs 6:31 | Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. |
| 4 | Genesis 15:14 | But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 2:8 | He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — לְהַנְחִ֖יל, le.han.Chilgenerated
The Hebrew verb נָחַל (nachal) means to inherit or take possession. It encompasses the idea of distributing or dividing something, such as land among the Israelites in the Promised Land. In this verse, it is used in the Hiphil form, indicating that wisdom grants wealth as an inheritance to those who love her.
This verb is parsed as a hiphil infinitive construct, suggesting an action that is causative. Here, wisdom is actively bestowing wealth, which implies a generous and abundant giving, rather than a mere transfer of possession.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree that wisdom grants wealth to those who love her.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is לְהַנְחִ֖יל, to grant, which governs the entire sentence. This is followed by a clause describing the recipients of the wealth — those who love wisdom — and another clause indicating the action of filling their treasuries.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between loving wisdom and receiving wealth, with the verb leading the sentence and the clauses detailing the actions and recipients.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the Greek word μερίσω to translate לְהַנְחִ֖יל, which means 'to distribute' or 'to share.' This choice reflects a similar concept of granting or bestowing, indicating a generous provision from wisdom.
This translation aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the act of giving as an inheritance.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 8:21 tells us that wisdom grants wealth to those who truly love her and fills their treasuries. This verse emphasizes the rewards of loving wisdom, showing that those who seek her will receive abundant blessings.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To love wisdom means to have a deep affection for understanding and knowledge, valuing it as essential for a fulfilling life.
Wisdom grants wealth by guiding individuals in making wise decisions that lead to prosperity and success.
Treasuries refer to storehouses or places where wealth is accumulated, symbolizing abundance and provision.
According to this verse, anyone who truly loves wisdom can receive her blessings, including wealth.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced the benefits of seeking wisdom in my own life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper love for wisdom and understanding?
- What steps can I take to ensure my actions reflect my love for wisdom?
- How might I share the principles of wisdom with others in my community?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 8:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,.... Substantial blessings, blessings indeed, as all spiritual ones are; and substantial grace, as every grace is; and substantial communion
Read John Gill on Proverbs 8 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThat I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 8 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSubstance; substantial, and true, and satisfying happiness; which is here opposed to all worldly enjoyments which are said not to be, ; which are but mere shadows and dreams of felicity.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 8 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.Ver. 21. To inherit substance.] Heb., That which is; that which hath some tack or substance in it, some firmity, or solid consistency. "Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?" Outward things are not, but only in opinion, in imagination; in semblance, not in substance. The pomp of this world is but a fancy, the glory of it a conceit, the whole fashion of it a mere notion. Riches get them great eagles’ "wings, they fly away," without once taking leave of the owner, leaving nothing but the print of their talons in his heart to torment him. When we grasp them most greedily, we…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 8 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance.—The work which each one by my help shall do will be stored up for him in heaven (Matthew 6:20), it will be as “gold tried in the fire” (Revelation 3:18), which will abide the trial of “the day” (1 Corinthians 3:13).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 8 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. I will fill their treasures] or, that I may fill their treasuries. R.V. The LXX. add to this verse: “If I announce to you the things that are daily coming to pass, I will be mindful to take count of the things which are from everlasting.”
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 8 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible20, 21. I lead — àäìêְ, perhaps better, I move habitually; that is, as the leader and exemplar of my votaries: for the purpose stated in the next verse. Righteousness — Rectitude. Judgment — Judicial or administrative justice.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 8 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, and that I may fill their treasuries.
Tyndale line
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
That I may cause them that loue me, to inherite substance, and I will fill their treasures.
Strictly literal
that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.
To cause my lovers to inherit substance, Yea, their treasures I fill.
To cause my lovers to inherit substance, || Indeed, I fill their treasures.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit a lasting possession; and their treasures will I fill
As a result, I make those who love me inherit wealth; I fill up their treasuries.
From the Latin
That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures.
Simplified
I grant wealth to those who love me; I fill their treasure storehouses.
So that I may give my lovers wealth for their heritage, making their store-houses full.
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 five words matching in the Hebrew and Greek translations. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the text across these traditions.
לְהַנְחִ֖יל אֹהֲבַ֥י׀ יֵ֑שׁ וְאֹצְרֹ֖תֵיהֶ֣ם אֲמַלֵּֽא׃ פ
5 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 8:21
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.
נָחַל (nachal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to inherit or take possession. It encompasses various aspects of acquiring property, including dividing land and bequeathing inheritance. The entries detail its uses in different grammatical forms, such as Qal for taking possession and Hiphil for giving as an inheritance. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָחַל vb. denom. get or take as a possession
Qal
take possession, inherit
fig. have or get as a possession, property
divide the land for a possession
Pi. divide for a possession
Hithp. possess oneself of land
Hiph.
give as a possession
cause to inherit, give as an inheritance
Hoph. made to possess
base
H5157 נָחַל vb. denom. get or take as a possession
5157 nachal naw-khal'
a primitive root; to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of
descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath,
or (generally) distribute, instate:--divide, have
((inheritance)), take as a heritage, (cause to, give to, make
to) inherit, (distribute for, divide (for, for an, by), give
for, have, leave for, take (for)) inheritance, (have in, cause
to, be made to) possess(-ion).
נָחַל (na.chal) — to inherit.
1) to get as a possession, acquire, inherit, possess
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take possession, inherit
1a2) to have or get as a possession or property (fig.)
1a3) to divide the land for a possession
1a4) to acquire (testimonies) (fig.)
1b) (Piel) to divide for a possession
1c) (Hithpael) to possess oneself of
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to give as a possession
1d2) to cause to inherit, give as an inheritance
1e) (Hophal) to be allotted, be made to possess
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct commonHR/Vhcc
in-her'-i-tans (nahalah, "something inherited," "occupancy," "heirloom," "estate," "portion"): The word is used in its widest application in the Old Testament Scriptures, referring not only to an estate received by a child from its parents, but also to the land received by the children of Israel as a gift from Yahweh. And in the figurative and poetical sense, the expression is applied to the kingdom of God as represented in the consecrated lives of His followers. In a similar sense, the Psalmist is represented as speaking of the Lord as the portion of his inheritance. In addition to the above word, the King James Version translations as inheritance, morashah, "a possession," "heritage" (De 33:4; Eze 33:24); yerushshah, "something occupied," "a patrimony," "possession" (
[HEIR]
The laws of inheritance among the Hebrews were very simple. Land might be mortgaged, but could not be alienated, Nu 36:6-9. See JUBILEE. The only permanent right to property was by heritage, or lineal succession. The eldest son had a double portion. Females had no territorial possession; but if a man left no sons, his daughters inherited-on condition of their marrying into a family within the tribe to which their father belonged. If a man had no children, his land passed to distant relatives, according to a law laid down in Nu 27:8-11. The Law of Moses rendered wills unnecessary; they were introduced, however, at a later period, Ga 3:15 Heb 9:17. Property was sometimes…
→ Provisions for inheritance under Levirate marriages Ge 38:7-11; Nu 36:6-9; De 25:5-10; Ru 3:1-8; 4:7-17
→ UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Ge 15:3; 21:9-11; 24:36; 25:5,6; 48:21,22; Nu 27:6-11; De 21:15-17; 1Ki 21:3; 2Ch 21:3; Job 42:15; Pr 17:2; 20:21;
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal | Suff — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHVqrmpc/Sp1bs
יֵשׁ (yesh) refers to being, substance, or existence. It is used to assert existence, functioning as a copula for the verb 'to be' in various forms. The word can mean 'there is' or 'there are,' and its Aramaic equivalent is אִיתַי (itay).
יֵשׁ 137 subst. being, substance, existence
substance
elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …
base
H3426 יֵשׁ subst. being, substance, existence . substance
. elsewhere (prop. as a subst. in in the st. c.), it asserts existence, and so corresponds to the verb substantive, is (are, was, were, will be), lit. the being, presence of …
3426 yesh yaysh
perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist;
entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive
verb (1961); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to
be, as may suit the connection):--(there) are, (he, it, shall,
there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had,
hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is,
substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt,
wouldest.
see HEBREW for 01961
יֵשׁ (yesh) — there.
1) being, existence, substance, there is or are
1a) substance
1b) existence
1c) there is or are
Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Part — PartHAcbsa
sub'-stans (rekhush; hupostasis): Lit. that which stands under, is in the Bible used chiefly of material goods and possessions. In the Old Testament it is the translation of numerous Hebrew words, of which rekhush, "that which is gathered together," is one of the earliest and most significant (Ge 12:5; 13:6; 15:14; 1Ch 27:31; Ezr 8:21, etc.). In the New Testament "substance" appears in a few passages as the translation of ousia, "being," "subsistence" (Lu 15:13), huparxis, "goods," "property" (Heb 10:34), huparchonta, "things at hand" (Lu 8:3). Special interest…
The Hebrew word אוֹצָר (o-tsar) means 'treasure' or 'storehouse.' It encompasses various types of treasures, including valuable items like gold and silver, as well as supplies of food or drink. The term can also refer to a treasury or a depository for weapons, indicating a broader range of meanings related to storage and value.
אוֹצָר n.m. treasure, store, treasury, storehouse
base
H214 אוֹצָר treasure, store, treasury, storehouse
214 'owtsar o-tsaw'
from 686; a depository:--armory, cellar, garner,
store(-house), treasure(-house) (-y).
see HEBREW for 0686
אוֹצָר (o.tsar) — treasure.
1) treasure, storehouse
1a) treasure (gold, silver, etc)
1b) store, supplies of food or drink
1c) treasure-house, treasury
1c1) treasure-house
1c2) storehouse, magazine
1c3) treasury
1c4) magazine of weapons (fig. of God's armoury)
1c5) storehouses (of God for rain, snow, hail, wind, sea)
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncfpc/Sp3mp
מָלֵא (male') means 'to fill' or 'be full,' with applications ranging from literal filling to figurative uses like accomplishing or completing something. It appears in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances such as being satisfied or confirming. Notably, it can also refer to massing against someone.
מָלֵא 249 vb. be full, fill
Qal 99
be full, usu. c. acc. material
trans. fill
Niph.
be filled
be accomplished, ended
Pi.
fill
special uses are:
fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day
Pu. filled
Hithp. mass themselves against me
base
H4390 מָלֵא be full, fill .. be full, usu. c. acc. material
. trans. fill
. . be filled
. be accomplished, ended
. . fill
. special uses are:
. fulfil, accomplish, complete, obj. week, year, day
. filled
. mass themselves against me
4390 male' maw-lay'
or malae (Esth. 7:5) {maw-law'}; a primitive root, to fill or
(intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally
and figuratively):--accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at
an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X
draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow,
fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume,
replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-)full, + have
wholly.
מָלֵא (ma.le) — to fill.
1) to fill, be full
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be full
1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle)
1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended
1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied
1b2) to be accomplished, be ended
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to fill
1c2) to satisfy
1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete
1c4) to confirm
1d) (Pual) to be filled
1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against
Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singularHVpi1cs
