Classic KJV - Proverbs 8:18

Money Talks

Money has incredible ability to get our attention. The allure of riches is powerful. But there is something better: Full satisfaction. Please be very careful... the good is the enemy of the better and the better is the enemy of the best! We need to give up the good and the better to get the best.

In this passage wisdom and understanding are personified and speak directly to the reader. Wisdom promises four benefits (verse 18) to its owners:

1. Riches (material assets).
2. Honour (respect from others).
3. Enduring wealth (goods with lasting benefits).
4. Righteousness (respect in the eyes of God himself).

You can have all four! If you want to find out more, read on.

Translation

Let’s start by looking at their fuller meaning in the original language.

The Hebrew word for riches, עשר (ʽō•šĕr, pronounced “ō-share”), in verse 18 is used 36 times in the Old Testament. In 12 out of these 36 times it’s combined with the Hebrew word for honour. The word for riches appears first in Genesis 31:16 as Rachel and Leah describe the assets (herds and flocks) once owned by their father, Laban, but was now owned by Jacob. It always refers to tangible, material goods such as flocks, land, houses, and gold. It’s the most common Hebrew word for riches.

The Hebrew word for honour, כּבוד (kā•ḇȏḏ, pronounced “kah-vōd”), in verse 18 is used 189 times in the Old Testament. It’s usually translated as glory and sometimes as wealth. Kā•ḇȏḏ appears first in Genesis 31:1 as Laban’s sons describe the assets (herds and flocks) once owned by their father Laban but now owned by Jacob. It often describes the glory of the Lord in the sense of splendour and magnificence.

The word wealth appears twice in this passage, but two different Hebrew words are used. In verse 18 the Hebrew word for wealth, הון (hôn, pronounced “hōn”), is used 26 times in total and 19 times in Proverbs. The basic meaning is “goods” or “substance” in sufficient quantity to be considered “riches” or “wealth.” In other words, having enough of all we need, so that life is “easy.”

In verse 21, a different Hebrew word for wealth, יש (yēš, pronounced “yeysh”), is used. It’s used as a noun only once, and that is in this verse. All other times it’s used to draw attention to the existence of an object or quality often in the sense of “to have” or “to possess.” This is how the word is first used in Genesis 18:24, when Abraham says to God, “Suppose there are (yēš) fifty righteous in the city.” In Spanish the verb “hay” means “there is such a thing as...” It’s not used in the sense of financial assets, but in the sense of tangible wealth, such as when Esau told Jacob that he didn’t need any of Jacob’s gifts, since Esau already had (yēš) enough. The KJV translates the word as substance.

Wealth vs. Riches?

Some people (Craig Hill & Earl Pitts, Wealth Riches and Money, 2001) believe there is a subtle distinction between wealth and riches. They view wealth as being under God’s dominion, while riches are controlled or at least strongly influenced by the evil one—the evil spirit of Mammon working under Satan’s direction. According to the text, wisdom will lead us to riches and wealth, but also to honour and righteousness.

More Translation Focus

The word for righteousness, צדקה (ṣeḏā•qāh, pronounced “tse-dah-qah”), is used 150 times and first appears in Genesis 15:6 as God imputes righteousness to Abraham. He took God at his word being confident that God always keeps his promises. Abraham trusted God. The Hebrew word ṣeḏā•qāh is also translated as justice. Its root connotes conformity to an ethical or moral standard. It does not refer to the material, tangible world, but to the intangible, spiritual world of right and wrong.

The Hebrew word for treasury, עשר (ʽō•šĕr, pronounced “ō-share”), denotes a storehouse or armoury where precious goods are stored. Different people have different kinds and sizes of treasuries. Whatever they are like, wisdom promises to fill them. So what is wisdom and how do we get it? First let’s look at the Hebrew root words more closely to see exactly what we are looking for. There are two words used for wisdom in this passage.

The word for wisdom in verse 12, חכמה (ḥā•ḵemāh, pronounced “hŏk-mah”), is used 141 times and first appears in Exodus 28:3 when skilled craftsmen, whom God provided with a spirit of wisdom, were called to make holy garments for Aaron the priest. According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) this Hebrew word for wisdom:

Relates to prudence in secular affairs, skills in the arts, moral sensitivity and experience in the ways of the Lord... Hebrew wisdom is not theoretical and speculative. It is practical, based on revealed principles of right and wrong, to be lived out in daily life.... Wisdom should not be regarded as God but it does belong to God; it is one of his attributes.

The word for wisdom in verse 14, תושייה (tȗ•šȋ•yǎ, pronounced “too-shee-yah”), is translated with two English words: Sound wisdom. It’s used only 12 times and first appears in Job 5:12 where Job describes how God thwarts the apparent success enterprises (wisdom) of those who are shrewd yet ungodly. It’s used in the sense of “know how” or sound judgement. It operates with efficiency and effectiveness.

Literary Structure for Emphasis

Now that we know the fuller meaning of the benefits described in verse 18, let’s consider the very next statement. It appears a little confusing. Why would wisdom promise riches and enduring wealth, and then, in the very next sentence, promise something better than pure gold, since gold is one form of riches?

Beware of Wealth Without Wisdom

It’s like saying: “I’ll give you riches, but something better than riches.” Why not just say, “I’ll give you what is better than riches, and riches too.” I believe this awkward structure is designed as a warning. This is important. I believe that one of the greatest decoys keeping us from attaining satisfying wealth is the allurement of easy, quick riches without the acquisition of wisdom. The glitter of riches can blind us to better treasures! Riches are so attractive that they can become an end in themselves. Don’t settle for mere wealth when you can have wisdom.

Target Wisdom First

By targeting wisdom first you’ll get more wealth than you need, but by targeting wealth even in the form of pure gold, you will be disappointed. You will miss honour and righteousness. Furthermore, whatever wealth you attain will not be held for long. It will not be enduring wealth. Wealth without wisdom is like medicine without instructions on proper dosage and use. Let’s look at two examples from the Bible. The first goes back to about 550 BC and the second much further to about 2080 BC. 

The king of Babylon offered Daniel great riches, along with honour and authority in his kingdom, but Daniel refused these gifts (Daniel 5:16-17). Daniel had the wisdom to recognize that the rewards he was offered wouldn’t last long. Babylon was a great empire but now it's gone. Sodom was once a flourishing city but now it's history.

Abram wanted nothing from the King of Sodom, not even a shoelace (Genesis 14:22-23). Abram wanted to distance himself from the riches of Sodom. He recognized that God was not pleased with Sodom’s immorality. He knew Sodom’s wealth lacked God’s protection. Clearly, a mere increase in wealth is not always beneficial. To find out more about this practical and most desirable skill, read the advice given in Proverbs 4:5.

The financial message from the text all boils down to this: Those who love wisdom will not end up poor, even though they may go through a period of poverty. Seekers of wisdom will end up with many treasures—one which is wealth. Wisdom seekers are the real winners.

Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend

Jesus was tempted by the devil to put riches first.

The devil offered him the riches and splendour of all the kingdoms on earth under one condition. Do you want to know what that condition was and how Jesus responded?

Find out by reading Luke 4:5-8.