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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 2:4 if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/2-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/20_Pro_02_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 2:4 - The Benefits of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure," /><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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seek them like hidden treasures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as <i>for</i> hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If you seek her as silver, And search for her as <i>for</i> hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If you seek skillful <i>and</i> godly wisdom as you would silver And search for her as you would hidden treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Search for wisdom as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If you seek her as silver, "" And search for her as hid treasures,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If thou dost seek her as silver, And as hid treasures searchest for her,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If thou wilt seek her as silver, and dig for her as hidden treasure;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />if you will seek her like money, and dig for her as if for treasure,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures—<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If you seek it as silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you will seek it as silver and you will search it out as treasure<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and if thou shalt seek it as silver, and search diligently for it as for treasures;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/2-4.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=237" 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/2.htm">The Benefits of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: tə·ḇaq·šen·nāh (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms:: 3fse) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">you seek</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ḵak·kā·sep̄ (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">it like silver</a> <a href="/hebrew/2664.htm" title="2664: taḥ·pə·śen·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3fse) -- To search. A primitive root; to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself, or mask.">and search it out</a> <a href="/hebrew/4301.htm" title="4301: wə·ḵam·maṭ·mō·w·nîm (Conj-w, Prep-k, Art:: N-mp) -- Hidden treasure, treasure. Or matmon; or matmun; from taman; a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable; generally money.">like hidden treasure,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.…<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="/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="/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="/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="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-28</a></span><br />But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...<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="/psalms/119-72.htm">Psalm 119:72</a></span><br />The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9-12</a></span><br />Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” / Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. / So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— ...<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="/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/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a></span><br />but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<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="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-127.htm">Psalm 119:127</a></span><br />Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Philippians 3:8</a></span><br />More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;</p><p class="hdg">thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-14.htm">Proverbs 3:14,15</a></b></br> For the merchandise of it <i>is</i> better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">Proverbs 8:18,19</a></b></br> Riches and honour <i>are</i> with me; <i>yea</i>, durable riches and righteousness… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Proverbs 16:16</a></b></br> How much better <i>is it</i> to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!</p><p class="hdg">searchest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-20</a></b></br> But where shall wisdom be found? and where <i>is</i> the place of understanding? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:8</a></b></br> There is one <i>alone</i>, and <i>there is</i> not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet <i>is there</i> no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither <i>saith he</i>, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This <i>is</i> also vanity, yea, it <i>is</i> a sore travail.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Luke 16:8</a></b></br> And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/142-3.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/psalms/143-9.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-19.htm">Search</a> <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm">Searchest</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-28.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/job/10-6.htm">Seekest</a> <a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-16.htm">Stored-Up</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Treasure</a> <a href="/psalms/135-7.htm">Treasures</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-13.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-17.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-17.htm">Search</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Searchest</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-27.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-12.htm">Seekest</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-14.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-16.htm">Stored-Up</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-1.htm">Treasure</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-21.htm">Treasures</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-9.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">wisdom promises godliness to her children</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/2-10.htm">and safety from evil company</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/2-20.htm">and direction in good ways</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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>if you seek it like silver</b><br>The pursuit of wisdom is likened to the search for silver, a precious metal highly valued in ancient times. Silver mining required significant effort, patience, and skill, reflecting the diligence needed to acquire wisdom. In biblical times, silver was used as currency and a symbol of wealth and prosperity (<a href="/genesis/13-2.htm">Genesis 13:2</a>). The comparison suggests that wisdom is not easily obtained but is worth the effort due to its immense value. This pursuit is echoed in <a href="/job/28.htm">Job 28:1-11</a>, where the search for wisdom is compared to mining for precious metals. The diligent search for wisdom is a recurring theme in Proverbs, emphasizing its importance and the effort required to attain it.<p><b>and search it out like hidden treasure</b><br>The imagery of hidden treasure suggests something of great worth that is not immediately visible or accessible. In the ancient Near East, treasures were often buried for safekeeping, requiring intentional and persistent searching to uncover. This metaphor highlights the idea that wisdom is not superficial but requires deep exploration and commitment. The concept of hidden treasure is also found in <a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44</a>, where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to treasure hidden in a field, illustrating the supreme value of spiritual truths. The search for wisdom, like the search for hidden treasure, involves a heart fully committed to discovering and embracing God's truth.<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 known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings often focus on the pursuit of wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed. The cultural and historical context of Israel provides a backdrop for understanding the value placed on wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom</a></b><br>- Personified throughout Proverbs, wisdom is depicted as a valuable and desirable trait, akin to a treasure that must be diligently sought.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom.htm">The Value of Wisdom</a></b><br>Just as silver and hidden treasures are valuable and worth the effort to find, so is wisdom. It requires intentional pursuit and dedication.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diligent_pursuit.htm">Diligent Pursuit</a></b><br>Seeking wisdom is not a passive endeavor. It requires active searching, akin to mining for precious metals. This involves study, prayer, and reflection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_riches.htm">Spiritual Riches</a></b><br>The pursuit of wisdom leads to spiritual riches that surpass material wealth. It enriches our lives and aligns us with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_promise.htm">God's Promise</a></b><br>God promises to grant wisdom to those who earnestly seek it. This assurance should motivate us to prioritize our spiritual growth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_you_truly_the_son_of_god.htm">What defines anti-intellectualism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_christ's_peace_rule_in_your_heart.htm">What are 'Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_avoid_casting_pearls_before_swine.htm">Why did Jesus advise against casting pearls before swine?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_a_bible_concordance_for.htm">What is the purpose of a Bible concordance?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">If thou seekest her as silver.--</span>That the process of mining was understood long before the time of Solomon, is proved by the remains of copper mines discovered in the peninsula of Sinai, and the gold mines in the Bisharee desert of Egypt. Rock inscriptions have been found near the former, dating from a great age, in the opinion of Lepsius from 4000 B.C. (See the article "Mines," in Smith's <span class= "ital">Dictionary of the Bible; </span>comp. also the description in <a href="/context/job/28-1.htm" title="Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.">Job 28:1-11</a>.) Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia (<a href="/2_chronicles/9-14.htm" title="Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.">2Chronicles 9:14</a>) and Tarshish (<a href="/2_chronicles/9-21.htm" title="For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.">2Chronicles 9:21</a>), probably Tartessus, in Spain.<p><span class= "bld">Searchest for her as for hid treasures.</span>--From the great insecurity of life and property in Eastern countries, the hiding of treasures in the earth has always been of frequent occurrence. It would often, no doubt, happen that the owner would die without disclosing the place of concealment to any one else, and the treasure thus be lost. Hunting after such hoards has in consequence been always of the keenest interest to Orientals, and as such furnishes the groundwork for one of our Lord's parables (<a href="/matthew/13-44.htm" title="Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to treasure hid in a field; the which when a man has found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.">Matthew 13:44</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If thou seekest,</span> etc. The climax in the series of conditions is reached in this verse; and the imagery employed in both clauses indicates that the search after Wisdom is to be <span class="accented">persevering</span>, unrelaxing, and diligent, like the unremitting toil and labour with which men carry on mining operations. "To seek" (<span class="hebrew">בָּקַשׁ</span>, <span class="accented">bakash</span>) in the original is properly "to seek diligently" (piel), and is kindred to "to search" (<span class="hebrew">קָפַשׂ</span>, <span class="accented">khaphas</span>), which again is equivalent to "to dig" (<span class="hebrew">חָפַר</span>, <span class="accented">khaphar</span>), the Vulgate <span class="accented">effodere</span>, "to dig out." Compare the expression in <a href="/job/3-21.htm">Job 3:21</a>, "And dig for it more than for hid treasures." We trace in these verbs the idea in the mind of the teacher indicated above, which finds expression also in the object of the search, the silver, in its crude state, and the hidden treasures (<span class="hebrew">מַטְמֹנִים</span> <span class="accented">mat'monim</span>)<span class="accented">, i.e.</span> the treasures of gold, silver, and precious metal concealed in the earth. The comparison here made between the search for Wisdom and the search for the hidden treasures of the earth was not unfamiliar to the Hebrew mind, as it is found worked out with great beauty of detail in the twenty-eighth chapter of Job. Again, the comparison of Wisdom with things most precious in the estimation of man is natural and common, and occurs in <a href="/psalms/119-72.htm">Psalm 119:72</a>; <a href="/job/28-15.htm">Job 28:15-19</a>. The same ideas and comparisons here used are presented to us in the New Testament teaching, in our Lord's parable of the man who finds the hid treasure in the field, and, in the phraseology of St. Paul, who speaks of "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," and of "the unsearchable riches of Christ." "Divine knowledge is an inexhaustible mine of precious ore" (Wardlaw). The language of the Proverbs would receive additional three from the circumstances of the reign of Solomon, the most splendid and prosperous era in the annals of the Jewish national history, in the means taken to secure the treasures of other and distant countries; the wealth and the riches of that reign (see <a href="/2_chronicles/9-20.htm">2 Chronicles 9:20-22</a>) would help to bring out the idea of the superlative value of Wisdom. In no era of the Jewish national history was there such abundance of riches, such splendid prosperity, as in the reign of Solomon, whose ships of Tarshish brought "gold and silver" (see <a href="/2_chronicles/9-20.htm">2 Chronicles 9:20-22</a>), and this state of things would give point to the comparisons which the teacher uses in our text. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/2-4.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">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you seek</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּבַקְשֶׁ֥נָּה</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḇaq·šen·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it like silver</span><br /><span class="heb">כַכָּ֑סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ḵak·kā·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and search it out</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּחְפְּשֶֽׂנָּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(taḥ·pə·śen·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2664.htm">Strong's 2664: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seek, to conceal oneself, mask</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like hidden treasure,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵam·maṭ·mō·w·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4301.htm">Strong's 4301: </a> </span><span class="str2">A secret storehouse, a secreted valuable, money</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 2:4 If you seek her as silver (Prov. 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