The Meaning of Proverbs 8:10 Explained

Proverbs 8:10

KJV: Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

YLT: Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.

Darby: Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold:

ASV: Receive my instruction, and not silver; And knowledge rather than choice gold.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Receive  my instruction,  and not silver;  and knowledge  rather than choice  gold. 

What does Proverbs 8:10 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 8:1-21 - "better Than Gold"
This chapter contains a bewitching picture of Wisdom as a noble matron. Were it not for this feminine touch, we might, suppose that the Preacher had become a Prophet and was discerning the lineaments of Christ, who in His human life embodied the Divine Wisdom, as indeed He was the Eternal Word.
She stands in the open places; her ringing voice is heard down the streets, appealing to those who are entering the city gates or doors of the houses. There is no muttering or whispering; but the beauty of goodness illuminates all she says. She insists on her own value, as compared with the valuables that men prize. The central point in her promises is that she imparts those great moral qualities which imply the true leadership and right estimate of others. What a precious word is Proverbs 8:17 : but we can never forget that we love "because He first loved us." Oh, the mystery and wonder of it! And can that love ever fail us? [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 8

1  the fame
6  and evidence of wisdom
10  The excellence
12  the nature
15  the power
18  the riches
22  and the eternity of wisdom
32  Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings

What do the individual words in Proverbs 8:10 mean?

Receive my instruction and not silver and knowledge rather than gold choice
קְחֽוּ־ מוּסָרִ֥י וְאַל־ כָּ֑סֶף וְ֝דַ֗עַת מֵחָר֥וּץ נִבְחָֽר

קְחֽוּ־  Receive 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
מוּסָרִ֥י  my  instruction 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: מוּסָר  
Sense: discipline, chastening, correction.
וְאַל־  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
כָּ֑סֶף  silver 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וְ֝דַ֗עַת  and  knowledge 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.
מֵחָר֥וּץ  rather  than  gold 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָרוּץ 
Sense: sharp-pointed, sharp, diligent.
נִבְחָֽר  choice 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בָּחוּר 
Sense: to choose, elect, decide for.