Bible/Proverbs/19

Proverbs 19:8

19:7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. wisdom: Heb. an heart

KJV

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He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good.

19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

What does Proverbs 19:8 mean?

Proverbs 19:8 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include קָנָה (qânâh), לֵב (lêb), אָהַב (ʼâhab). It connects to 3 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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He
that
gettethקָנָהqânâh/kaw-naw'/H7069to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
wisdomלֵבlêb/labe/H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
lovethאָהַבʼâhab/aw-hab'/H157to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
his
own
soul:נֶפֶשׁnephesh/neh'-fesh/H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
he
that
keepethשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
understandingתָּבוּןtâbûwn/taw-boon'/H8394intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
shall
findמָצָאmâtsâʼ/maw-tsaw'/H4672properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
good.טוֹבṭôwb/tobe/H2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
wisdom:
Heb.
an
heart

Commentary on Proverbs 19:8

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 19:8
t keepeth understanding shall find good. Those are here encouraged, 1. That take pains to get wisdom, to get knowledge, and grace, and acquaintance with God; those that do so show that they love their own souls, and will be found to have done themselves the greatest kindness imaginable. No man ever hated his own flesh, but loves that, yet many are wanting in love to their own souls, for only those love their souls, and consequently love themselves, aright, that get wisdom, true wisdom. 2. That take care to keep it when they have got it; it is health, and wealth, and honour, and all, to the soul, and therefore he that keeps understanding, as he shows that he loves his own soul, so he shall certainly find good, all good. He that retains the good lessons he has learnt, and orders his conversation according to them, shall find the benefit and comfort of it in his own soul and shall be happy here and for ever. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Here is, 1

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Kings 4:21

And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Proverbs 2:8

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 19:8.

Genesis 34:3

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. kindly: Heb. to the heart of the damsel

Exodus 20:6

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Genesis 1:21

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 19:19

Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

Genesis 27:4

And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Genesis 27:9

Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

Genesis 31:24

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. either: Heb. from good to bad

Genesis 31:29

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 19:8 say?

Proverbs 19:8 (King James Version) reads: "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. wisdom: Heb. an heart"

Is Proverbs 19:8 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 19:8 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 19:8, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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