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<!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 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/20_Pro_03_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 3:18 - The Blessings of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed." /><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'; 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those who hold her fast will be blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />She <i>is</i> a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy <i>is every one</i> that retaineth her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />She <i>is</i> a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy <i>are all</i> who retain her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are those who hold on to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who seize her, And all those who hold her fast are blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Wisdom is a life-giving tree, the source of happiness for all who hold on to her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Wisdom] is a tree of life for those who take firm hold of it. Those who cling to it are blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />She is a tree of life for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />She is like a tree of life to those who obtain her, and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her, and those who hold on to her are blessed<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />She [is] a tree of life to those laying hold on her, "" And whoever is retaining her [is] blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A tree of life she is to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her is happy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to all holding upon her: and happy he holding her fast.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who overtake her, and he who shall take hold of her is blessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and those who hold her fast are happy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; and blessed are those who wait for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to those who hold her fast and blessed are those who look for her.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, And happy is every one that holdest her fast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />She is a tree of life to all that lay hold upon her; and she is <i>a</i> secure <i>help</i> to all that stay themselves on her, as on the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/3-18.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=461" 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/3.htm">The Blessings of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">She</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ- (N-msc) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">is a tree</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">of life</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: lam·ma·ḥă·zî·qîm (Prep-l, Art:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">to those who embrace</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8551.htm" title="8551: wə·ṯō·mə·ḵe·hā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close.">and those who lay hold of her</a> <a href="/hebrew/833.htm" title="833: mə·’uš·šār (V-Pual-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go straight, go on, advance. Or rasher; a primitive root; to be straight; figuratively, to go forward, be honest, proper.">are blessed.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.…<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="/genesis/2-9.htm">Genesis 2:9</a></span><br />Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Revelation 22:2</a></span><br />down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a></span><br />He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-5</a></span><br />“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-7.htm">Revelation 2:7</a></span><br />He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a></span><br />Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-3.htm">Colossians 2:3</a></span><br />in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-17.htm">James 3:17</a></span><br />But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-10.htm">Psalm 19:10</a></span><br />They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-30.htm">1 Corinthians 1:30</a></span><br />It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-3</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44-46</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-12.htm">1 Timothy 6:12</a></span><br />Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retains her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a></b></br> The fruit of the righteous <i>is</i> a tree of life; and he that winneth souls <i>is</i> wise.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Proverbs 13:14</a></b></br> The law of the wise <i>is</i> a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Genesis 2:9</a></b></br> And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/job/24-8.htm">Embrace</a> <a href="/psalms/139-10.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/psalms/149-6.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-19.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/77-4.htm">Holdest</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-8.htm">Life</a> <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Retaineth</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-48.htm">Retains</a> <a href="/psalms/148-9.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/5-18.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-8.htm">Embrace</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-4.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-13.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-4.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-16.htm">Holdest</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-22.htm">Life</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-16.htm">Retaineth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-11.htm">Retains</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">various exhortations</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">The gain of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Exhortation to goodness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-33.htm">the different state of the wicked and upright</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>She is a tree of life to those who embrace her</b><br>In this phrase, "she" refers to wisdom, personified throughout Proverbs as a woman. The "tree of life" is a powerful biblical symbol, first appearing in <a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Genesis 2:9</a>, representing eternal life and divine blessing. In the context of Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as life-giving and sustaining, much like the tree in the Garden of Eden. Embracing wisdom leads to spiritual vitality and moral integrity. The imagery of a tree also suggests stability, growth, and nourishment, which are the benefits of living a life guided by divine wisdom. This connection to the tree of life also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of wisdom in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to those who believe in Him (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<p><b>and those who lay hold of her are blessed</b><br>The act of "laying hold" implies a deliberate and active pursuit of wisdom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with success and prosperity. The blessing here is not merely material but encompasses a holistic sense of well-being, including peace, joy, and fulfillment. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that true blessing comes from living in accordance with God's will. The idea of being blessed echoes the Beatitudes in <a href="/matthew/5.htm">Matthew 5</a>, where Jesus describes the blessedness of those who embody kingdom values. The pursuit of wisdom, therefore, is not just an intellectual endeavor but a spiritual journey that leads to a life of divine favor and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/tree_of_life.htm">Tree of Life</a></b><br>A symbolic representation of wisdom in this context, the Tree of Life also appears in the Garden of Eden account in Genesis, symbolizing eternal life and divine blessing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>Personified as a woman in Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as a source of life and blessing to those who seek and embrace her.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br>Wisdom is not just knowledge but a life-giving force that brings blessing and fulfillment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/embracing_wisdom.htm">Embracing Wisdom</a></b><br>Actively seeking and holding onto wisdom is essential for a blessed life. It requires intentionality and commitment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_as_a_divine_gift.htm">Wisdom as a Divine Gift</a></b><br>Wisdom is portrayed as a gift from God, akin to the Tree of Life, offering spiritual nourishment and growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>Pursuing wisdom should be a lifelong endeavor, as it continually enriches and guides our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_and_eternal_perspective.htm">Wisdom and Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Just as the Tree of Life points to eternal life, wisdom provides an eternal perspective, guiding us in aligning our lives with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'coming_out'_mean.htm">What does 'Without vision the people perish' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_deserves_the_glory_if_not_us.htm">What do the tree's leaves symbolize for nations' healing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_2_9_explain_these_trees.htm">How does Genesis 2:9 account for the existence of the “Tree of Life” or “Tree of Knowledge” beyond mythological imagery? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_the_leaves_symbolize_for_healing.htm">What do the tree's leaves symbolize for nations' healing?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">A tree of life.</span>--Evidently an allusion to Genesis 2, 3. No mention is made of it except in Proverbs (<a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm" title="The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.">Proverbs 11:30</a>; <a href="/proverbs/13-12.htm" title="Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.">Proverbs 13:12</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm" title="A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.">Proverbs 15:4</a>) and Revelation (<a href="/proverbs/2-7.htm" title="He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.">Proverbs 2:7</a>; <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm" title="The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.">Proverbs 22:2</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A tree of life</span> (<span class="accented">ets-khayyim</span>); Vulgate, <span class="accented">lignum vitae</span>; LXX., <span class="greek">ξύλον ζωῆς</span>. This expression obviously refers to "the tree of life" (<span class="accented">ets-hakayyim</span>), which was placed in the midst of the garden of Eden, and conferred immortality on those who ate of its fruit (Genisis 2:9; 3:22). So Wisdom becomes equally life giving to those who lay hold on her, who taste of her fruit. She communicates life in its manifold fulness and richness (so the plural "lives" indicates) to those who seize her firmly. What is predicated of Wisdom here is predicated in other passages (<a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a>; <a href="/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Proverbs 15:4</a>) of the fruit of the righteous, the fulfilment of desire, and a wholesome tongue. Each of these, the teacher says, is "a tree of life." Elster denies that there is any reference to "the tree of life," and classes the expression among those other figurative expressions - a "fountain of life," in <a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a> and Proverbs 14:27, and a "well of life." in <a href="/proverbs/10-11.htm">Proverbs 10:11</a>; but if it be once admitted that there is such a reference, and it be remembered also that Wisdom is the same as "the fear of the Lord," the point insisted on in the Proverbs and in Job, it seems difficult to deny that the teacher has in view the blessed immortality of which the tree of life in Paradise as the symbol. In this higher sense the term is used in the Revelation (<a href="/revelation/2-7.htm">Revelation 2:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Revelation 22:2, 14</a>). Wisdom restores to her worshippers the life which was lost in Adam (Cartwright). It is remarkable that the imagery here employed is confined to these two hooks. After the historical record in Genesis, no other sacred writers refer to the tree of life. Old ecclesiastical writers saw in the expression a reference to Christ's redeeming work. "The tree of life is the cross of Christ," <span class="accented">lignum vitae crux Christi</span> (quoted by Delitzsch). The symbol, Plumptre remarks, entered largely into the religious imagery of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia. <span class="cmt_word">To them that lay hold upon</span> (<span class="accented">lam-makhazikim</span>, hiph. participle); Vulgate, <span class="accented">his, qui apprehenderint</span>; LXX., <span class="greek">τοῖς</span> <span class="greek">ἀντεχομένοις</span>. The Hebrew verb <span class="hebrew">חָזַק</span> (<span class="accented">khazak</span>), "to tie fast," is in hiph. with <span class="hebrew">בְּ</span> (<span class="accented">b</span>)<span class="accented"></span>," to take hold of," "to seize any one." Happy is every one that retaineth her. In the original, the participle, "they retaining her" (<span class="accented">tom'keyah</span>), is plural, and the predicate, "happy" or "blessed" (<span class="accented">m'ushshar</span>), is singular. The latter is used distributively, and the construction is common (cf. <a href="/proverbs/15-22.htm">Proverbs 15:22</a>). The Authorized Version aptly renders the original. The necessity for "retaining" as well as "laying hold" of Wisdom is pointed out. The verb <span class="hebrew">תָּמַך</span> (<span class="accented">tamak</span>) <span class="accented">is</span> "to hold fast something taken." Such will be blessed who hold Wisdom tenaciously and perseveringly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/3-18.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">She</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֭יא</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a tree</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵץ־</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṣ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of life</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to those who embrace her,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(lam·ma·ḥă·zî·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and those who lay hold of her</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽתֹמְכֶ֥יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯō·mə·ḵe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8551.htm">Strong's 8551: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are blessed.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’uš·šār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_833.htm">Strong's 833: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be straight, to go forward, be honest, proper</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/3-18.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/3-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 3:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 3:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/3-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 3:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 3:19" /></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>