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Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/20_Pro_08_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 8:17 - The Excellence of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/8-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/8-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm" title="Proverbs 8:16">◄</a> Proverbs 8:17 <a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm" title="Proverbs 8:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I love those who love me; And those who earnestly seek me will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I love those who love me; And those who seek me early <i>and</i> diligently will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I love them that love me; and those that seek me diligently shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I love those who love me. Those eagerly looking for me will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I love those who love me; whoever looks for me can find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I love those loving me, "" And those seeking me earnestly find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I love those loving me, And those seeking me earnestly do find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I loved those loving me: and they seeking me shall find me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I love those who love me. And those who stand watch for me until morning shall discover me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Those who love me I also love, and those who seek me find me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I love those who love me; and those who seek me shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I love my friends, and those who seek me will find me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I love them that love me, And those that seek me earnestly shall find me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I love those that love me; and they that seek me shall find <i>me</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/8-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1401" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">The Excellence of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ʾō·hă·ḇɛ·hå̄ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">love</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ’ê·hāḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">those who love me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7836.htm" title="7836: ū·mə·ša·ḥă·ray (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- To look early or diligently for. A primitive root; properly, to dawn, i.e. be early at any task; by extension, to search for.">and those who seek me early</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: yim·ṣā·’un·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: 1cs, Pn) -- To attain to, find. ">shall find me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a></span><br />You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a></span><br />And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-21.htm">John 14:21</a></span><br />Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-14.htm">Psalm 91:14</a></span><br />“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29</a></span><br />But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-9.htm">John 15:9-10</a></span><br />As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. / If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-19.htm">1 John 4:19</a></span><br />We love because He first loved us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/145-20.htm">Psalm 145:20</a></span><br />The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">1 Corinthians 2:9</a></span><br />Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-10</a></span><br />So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-27.htm">John 16:27</a></span><br />For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Psalm 119:2</a></span><br />Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Care</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-18.htm">Early</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-12.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-6.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Search</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/psalms/105-3.htm">Seeking</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/12-25.htm">Care</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-27.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Early</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-27.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-36.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-21.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-27.htm">Search</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-15.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-27.htm">Seeking</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-1.htm">the fame</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">and evidence of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">The excellence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-12.htm">the nature</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-15.htm">the power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">the riches</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">and the eternity of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/8-32.htm">Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the biblical context, love is often associated with loyalty and commitment. The idea of loving wisdom is akin to loving God, as wisdom is personified and closely linked to divine attributes. This reflects the covenant relationship seen throughout the Old Testament, where God promises to be faithful to those who are faithful to Him (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">Deuteronomy 7:9</a>). The concept of love here is not merely emotional but involves a commitment to follow and adhere to the teachings and principles of wisdom.<p><b>and those who seek me early shall find me</b><br>The phrase "seek me early" suggests diligence and priority in the pursuit of wisdom. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, seeking something early in the day was a sign of earnestness and dedication. This aligns with the biblical principle of seeking God with all one's heart (<a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a>). The promise that they "shall find me" assures that wisdom is accessible to those who earnestly pursue it. This is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching in the New Testament, where He encourages seeking the Kingdom of God first (<a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>). The pursuit of wisdom is portrayed as a proactive and intentional endeavor, promising reward and fulfillment to those who prioritize it.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>In <a href="/bsb/proverbs/8.htm">Proverbs 8</a>, Wisdom is personified and speaks as if it were a person. This personification is a literary device used to convey the value and importance of wisdom in a relatable way.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The author of Proverbs, King Solomon, is known for his wisdom. He is believed to have compiled these sayings to instruct others in the ways of wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The original audience of Proverbs, the people of Israel, were encouraged to seek wisdom as a means of living a life pleasing to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_love_of_wisdom.htm">The Love of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom loves those who love her. This reciprocal relationship emphasizes the importance of valuing and prioritizing wisdom in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_early.htm">The Importance of Seeking Early</a></b><br>The phrase "seek me early" suggests diligence and priority. Seeking wisdom should be a primary pursuit, not an afterthought.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_promise_of_finding.htm">The Promise of Finding</a></b><br>There is a promise that those who earnestly seek wisdom will indeed find it. This encourages believers to pursue wisdom with confidence and expectation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_as_a_reflection_of_god's_character.htm">Wisdom as a Reflection of God's Character</a></b><br>Since wisdom is a reflection of God's character, seeking wisdom is akin to seeking God Himself. This pursuit leads to a deeper relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_steps_to_seek_wisdom.htm">Practical Steps to Seek Wisdom</a></b><br>Engage in regular Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers to cultivate wisdom in daily life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_burial_practices.htm">How can I earnestly seek and find God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_to_search_or_give_up.htm">When should you search and when should you give up?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_you_seek_me_and_live.htm">Will you seek me and live?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_39_and_42_articles.htm">What should you focus on that is true and noble?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">I love them that love me.--</span>Comp. <a href="/john/14-21.htm" title="He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.">John 14:21</a> : he that loveth me. . . . I will love him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I love them that</span> <span class="cmt_word">love me.</span> So Christ says (<a href="/john/14-21.htm">John 14:21</a>), "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him" Love attracts love. "Magues amoris est amor." They who love virtue and wisdom are regarded with favour by God. whoso inspiration they have obeyed, obtaining grace for grace. So Ben Sira says, "Them that love her the Lord doth love "(Ecclus. 4:14); so Wisd. 7:28, "God loveth none but him that dwelleth with Wisdom." The Septuagint changes the verbs in this clause, though they are parts of the same word in the Hebrew: <span class="greek">Ἐγὼ τοὺς ἐμὲ φιλοῦντας ἀγαπῶ</span>. This reminds one of the passage in the last chapter of St. John (<a href="/john/21-15.htm">John 21:15-17</a>). where a similar interchange is made. <span class="cmt_word">Those that seek me early shall find me</span> (see the contrast in <a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">Proverbs 1:28</a>). "Early" may mean from tender years; but more probably it is equivalent to "earnestly," "strenuously," as people deeply interested in any pursuit rise betimes to set about the necessary work (comp. <a href="/isaiah/26-9.htm">Isaiah 26:9</a>; <a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a>). The Septuagint, "They who seek (<span class="greek">ζητοῦντες</span>) me shall find." So the Lord says (<a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7</a>), "Seek (<span class="greek">ζητεῖτε</span>), and ye shall find;" Ecclus. 4:12, "He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early (<span class="greek">οἱ ὀρθρίζοντες πρὸς</span> <span class="greek">αὐτὴν</span>) shall be filled with joy" (comp. <a href="/luke/21-38.htm">Luke 21:38</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/8-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲ֭נִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">love</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹהֲבַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·hă·ḇay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those who love me,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵהָ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and those who seek me early</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מְשַׁחֲרַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·ša·ḥă·ray)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7836.htm">Strong's 7836: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dawn, be, early at any task, to search for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall find me.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְצָאֻֽנְנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ṣā·’un·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular, Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/8-17.htm">Proverbs 8:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 8:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 8:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 8:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 8:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>