The Meaning of Proverbs 3:14 Explained

Proverbs 3:14

KJV: For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

YLT: For better is her merchandise Than the merchandise of silver, And than gold -- her increase.

Darby: For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold.

ASV: For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For the merchandise  of it [is] better  than the merchandise  of silver,  and the gain  thereof than fine gold. 

What does Proverbs 3:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:13-26 - Wisdom's Ways Of Pleasantness
Wisdom is susceptible of cultivation. It is a mine that needs to be worked with patient toil. Compare Proverbs 3:13-15 with Job 28:18. It is comparable to a noble woman, who approaches us with full-handed beneficence, Proverbs 3:16-17. It may be described as a tree, requiring careful tendance and bearing fruit for the patient cultivator, Proverbs 3:18. And we may turn from our own little lives to see the mighty results of divine wisdom in Creation and Providence. We are made in the image of God, our minds are able to appreciate His mind, and we think over again, as Kepler said, the thoughts of God, Proverbs 3:19-20.
Learn the security of the life which is built on the eternal principles of this book. It has no fear. Its repose is unbroken by alarm. It is at peace with itself, with man, and with God. This is not the result of our calculating prudence, but because we exercise ourselves to have consciences void of offense toward God and man; and because the God of patience, of hope, and of peace is with us. See Romans 15:5; Romans 15:13; Romans 15:33. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 3

1  various exhortations
13  The gain of wisdom
27  Exhortation to goodness
33  the different state of the wicked and upright

What do the individual words in Proverbs 3:14 mean?

For better her proceeds [are] than the profits of silver and than fine gold her gain
כִּ֤י ט֣וֹב סַ֭חְרָהּ מִסְּחַר־ כָּ֑סֶף וּ֝מֵחָר֗וּץ תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ

ט֣וֹב  better 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
סַ֭חְרָהּ  her  proceeds  [are] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: סַחַר  
Sense: traffic, gain, profit, gain from merchandise.
מִסְּחַר־  than  the  profits 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: סָחַר  
Sense: traffic, gain, profit, gain from merchandise.
כָּ֑סֶף  of  silver 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וּ֝מֵחָר֗וּץ  and  than  fine  gold 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָרוּץ 
Sense: sharp-pointed, sharp, diligent.
תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ  her  gain 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: תְּבוּאָה  
Sense: produce, product, revenue.