Proverbs 19:8
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
He who gains wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wisdom" here is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which encompasses not only knowledge but also the skillful application of that knowledge in daily life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued as a divine gift that guided individuals in making righteous and prudent decisions. Gaining wisdom is portrayed as an active pursuit, suggesting that it requires effort, discipline, and a heart inclined towards learning. This pursuit is not merely for intellectual enrichment but is deeply connected to one's spiritual and moral well-being.

loves his own soul
The phrase "loves his own soul" indicates a profound care and respect for one's own life and spiritual health. In Hebrew, the word for "soul" is "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), which refers to the whole being, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects. Loving one's soul implies nurturing and protecting it through the acquisition of wisdom. This reflects a biblical principle that true self-care involves aligning oneself with God's truth and wisdom, which leads to a fulfilled and meaningful life.

he who keeps understanding
The term "keeps" in Hebrew is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning to guard, protect, or observe. This suggests that understanding is something precious that must be diligently preserved and applied. Understanding, or "תְּבוּנָה" (tebunah), goes beyond mere knowledge; it involves discernment and insight into the complexities of life. Keeping understanding requires a commitment to live by the principles of wisdom, ensuring that one's actions are consistent with God's will.

will find success
The Hebrew word for "success" is "טוֹב" (tov), which is often translated as "good" or "prosperity." In the biblical context, success is not merely material wealth or social status but encompasses a holistic sense of well-being and fulfillment. It is the result of living in harmony with God's wisdom and understanding. This success is characterized by peace, joy, and a life that reflects God's glory. The verse assures believers that those who diligently seek and apply wisdom and understanding will experience God's favor and blessings in their lives.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His reign is often associated with peace and prosperity in Israel.

2. Israel
The nation to which Solomon belonged and over which he reigned. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's time is crucial for understanding the Proverbs.

3. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes books like Job and Ecclesiastes. These texts focus on practical and philosophical insights into life and godliness.
Teaching Points
The Value of Wisdom
Wisdom is portrayed as a treasure that benefits the individual who seeks it. In a conservative Christian perspective, this wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord and adherence to His commandments.

Self-Care through Wisdom
Loving one's own soul involves making choices that lead to spiritual and personal well-being. This includes seeking wisdom and understanding as foundational to a successful life.

Understanding Leads to Success
The Hebrew word for "understanding" (binah) implies discernment and insight. Keeping understanding means applying this discernment in daily life, which leads to success as defined by God's standards.

Practical Application of Wisdom
Wisdom should be actively pursued and applied in all areas of life, including relationships, work, and spiritual growth. This involves daily decisions that align with biblical principles.

The Role of Scripture in Gaining Wisdom
Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for gaining wisdom and understanding. The Bible provides the foundation and guidance needed to navigate life's challenges successfully.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the pursuit of wisdom demonstrate love for one's own soul, and what practical steps can you take to seek wisdom daily?

2. In what ways does understanding contribute to success in your personal and spiritual life? Can you identify areas where you need more understanding?

3. How do other scriptures, such as James 1:5, encourage us to seek wisdom, and what role does prayer play in this pursuit?

4. Reflect on a time when applying biblical wisdom led to a successful outcome in your life. What did you learn from that experience?

5. How can you incorporate the teachings of Proverbs 19:8 into your daily routine to ensure that you are continually growing in wisdom and understanding?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 4:7
This verse emphasizes the supreme value of wisdom, encouraging believers to acquire it at all costs, which aligns with the idea of loving one's own soul by gaining wisdom.

James 1:5
This New Testament verse encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, promising that He gives generously to all without finding fault, connecting the pursuit of wisdom with divine assistance.

Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the importance of applying wisdom and understanding to one's life, leading to stability and success.
On Getting and Keeping WisdomGeorge Lawson, D. D.Proverbs 19:8
Making the Most of Ourself and Our LifeW. Clarkson Proverbs 19:8, 16
Maxims of IntelligenceE. Johnson Proverbs 19:8-17
People
Isaiah, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Cherishes, Gets, Getteth, Getting, Heart, Keepeth, Keeping, Keeps, Love, Loves, Loveth, Loving, Prosper, Prospers, Sense, Soul, Truly, Understanding, Wisdom
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 19:8

     5481   proverb
     8367   wisdom, importance of

Library
How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
A DAY and an evening such as of that Sabbath of healing in Capernaum must, with reverence be it written, have been followed by what opens the next section. [2299] To the thoughtful observer there is such unbroken harmony in the Life of Jesus, such accord of the inward and outward, as to carry instinctive conviction of the truth of its record. It was, so to speak, an inward necessity that the God-Man, when brought into contact with disease and misery, whether from physical or supernatural causes,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
These maxims, good for a country where life is nourished by the air and the light, and this delicate communism of a band of children of God reposing in confidence on the bosom of their Father, might suit a simple sect constantly persuaded that its Utopia was about to be realized. But it is clear that they could not satisfy the whole of society. Jesus understood very soon, in fact, that the official world of his time would by no means adopt his kingdom. He took his resolution with extreme boldness.
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14).
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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