Proverbs 2:2–4
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
So that thou incline thine eare vnto wisedome, and apply thine heart to vnderstanding:
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Yea if thou cryest after knowledge, and †liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding:
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. giuest thy voice.
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
*If thou seekest her as siluer, and searchest for her, as for hid treasures:
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceMat.13.44.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
15 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 2
- Proverbs 23:12Rank 1 from verse 2
- Proverbs 18:1Rank 2 from verse 2
- Matthew 13:9Rank 3 from verse 2
- Psalms 119:111–112Rank 4 from verse 2
111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
111Thy Testimonies haue I taken as an heritage for euer: for they are the reioycing of my heart.
112I haue inclined mine heart †to performe thy Statutes, alway, euen vnto the end.
- Psalms 90:12Rank 5 from verse 2
- Proverbs 22:17–21Rank 6 from verse 2
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
17Bow downe thine eare, and heare the words of the wise, and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge.
18†For it is a pleasant thing, if thou keepe them within thee; they shall withall be fitted in thy lippes.
19‖That thy trust may bee in the LORD, I haue made knowen to thee this day, euen to thee.
20Haue not I written to thee excellent things in counsailes and knowledge:
21‖That I might make thee knowe the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answere the words of trueth to them that send vnto thee?
- Acts 17:11Rank 7 from verse 2
11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
11These were more noble then those in Thessalonica, in that they receiued the word with all readinesse of minde, and searched the Scriptures dayly, whether those things were so.
- Ecclesiastes 7:25Rank 8 from verse 2
25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
25†I applyed mine heart to know, and to search, and to seeke out wisdome, and the reason of things, aud to know the wickednes of folly, euen of foolishnesse and madnesse.
- Ecclesiastes 8:16Rank 9 from verse 2
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisedome, and to see the busines that is done vpon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleepe with his eyes.)
- Ecclesiastes 8:9Rank 10 from verse 2
9All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
9All this haue I seene, and applied my heart vnto euery worke that is done vnder the Sunne: there is a time wherein one man ruleth ouer another to his owne hurt.
- Isaiah 55:3Rank 11 from verse 2
3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
3*Incline your eare, and come vnto me: heare, and your soule shall liue, and I will make an euerlasting couenant with you, euen the sure mercies of Dauid.
From verse 3
- Ephesians 1:17–18Rank 2 from verse 3
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
17That the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of glorie, may giue vnto you the Spirit of wisedome and reuelation ‖in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your vnderstanding being inlightned: that yee may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glorie of his inheritance in the Saints:
- Proverbs 3:6Rank 3 from verse 3
- 1 Kings 3:9–12Rank 4 from verse 3
9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
9*Giue therefore thy seruant an †understanding heart, to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good and bad: for who is able to iudge this thy so great a people?
10And the speach pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11And God said vnto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thy selfe †long life, neither hast asked riches for thy selfe, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thy selfe vnderstanding †to discerne iudgement;
12Behold, I haue done according to thy word: loe, I haue giuen thee a wise and an vnderstanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like vnto thee.
- Psalms 25:4–5Rank 5 from verse 3
4Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
4*Shewe mee thy wayes, O LORD: teach me thy pathes.
5Lead me in thy trueth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my saluation, on thee doe I waite all the day.
- Psalms 119:125Rank 6 from verse 3
- Psalms 119:169Rank 7 from verse 3
- 1 Chronicles 22:12Rank 8 from verse 3
- Luke 11:13Rank 9 from verse 3
13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
13If ye then, being euill, know how to giue good gifts vnto your children: how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the holy Spirit to them that aske him?
- Psalms 119:34Rank 10 from verse 3
- Psalms 119:73Rank 11 from verse 3
- Proverbs 8:17Rank 12 from verse 3
From verse 4
- Matthew 13:44Rank 1 from verse 4
44¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
44¶ Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like vnto treasure hid in a field: the which when a man hath found, hee hideth, and for ioy thereof goeth and selleth all that hee hath, and buyeth that field.
- Matthew 19:29Rank 2 from verse 4
29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
29And euery one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Names sake, shall receiue an hundred fold, and shall inherite euerlasting life.
- Proverbs 16:16Rank 3 from verse 4
- Job 28:12–20Rank 4 from verse 4
12But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
15It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
18No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
12But where shall wisedome bee found? and where is the place of vnderstanding?
13Man knoweth not the price thereof neither is it found in the land of the liuing.
14*The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
15†It *cannot be gotten for golde, neither shall siluer be weighed for the price thereof.
16It cannot be valued with the golde of Ophir, with the precious Onix, or the Saphire.
17The golde and the chrystall cannot equall it: and the exchange of it shall not be for ‖iewels of fine golde.
18No mention shalbe made of ‖Corall, or of Pearles: for the price of wisedome is aboue Rubies.
19The Topaze of Ethiopia shall not equall it, neither shall it be valued with pure golde.
20*Whence then commeth wisedome? and where is the place of vnderstanding?
- Proverbs 8:18–19Rank 6 from verse 4
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
18*Riches and honour are with me, yea durable riches and righteousnesse.
19*My fruite is better then gold, yea then fine gold, and my reuenue then choise siluer.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8Rank 7 from verse 4
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.
8And 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.
8And the lord commended the vniust Steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light.
- Matthew 19:21–22Rank 9 from verse 4
21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
21Iesus said vnto him, If thou wilt be perfect, goe and sell that thou hast, and giue to the poore, and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen: and come and follow me.
22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowfull: for he had great possessions.
- Matthew 6:19–21Rank 10 from verse 4
19¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
19¶ Lay not vp for your selues treasures vpon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where theeues breake thorow, and steale.
20*But lay vp for your selues treasures in heauen, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, & where theeues doe not breake thorow, nor steale.
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
- Proverbs 23:23Rank 11 from verse 4
- Proverbs 3:14–15Rank 12 from verse 4
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
14*For the merchandise of it is better then the merchandise of siluer, and the gaine thereof, then fine gold.
15She is more precious then Rubies: and all the things thou canst desire, are not to be compared vnto her.
- Psalms 119:127Rank 13 from verse 4
- Psalms 119:14Rank 14 from verse 4
- Psalms 119:72Rank 15 from verse 4
- Psalms 19:10Rank 16 from verse 4
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 2:2
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To bend, bow, turn, tend, or direct toward; to direct one's attention or desire.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604
Sense 1: The organ of hearing. Sense 2: The seed-bearing head of grain.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
To direct or devote oneself; to make use of, request, or have recourse to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
understanding
1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 2:3
1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Understanding or awareness gained by knowing; recognition; what is known.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
understanding
1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 2:4
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Second-person singular present form of seek: Sense 1: To look or search for. Sense 2: To desire, pursue, or attempt to obtain.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A precious white metal used for money, vessels, ornaments, images, trade, valuation, and refining; by extension, money or wealth reckoned in that metal.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Second-person singular present form of search, meaning to seek carefully, examine, explore, or inquire in order to find or know.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Put, kept, or placed out of sight, knowledge, discovery, understanding, or danger; concealed, secret, covered, or withheld from perception.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Valuable things laid up. Sense 2: To store or keep as precious.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.
READ THE PASSAGE
View in context
Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 2:1–5
The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.
2:1MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2:1¶ My sonne, if thou wilt receiue my words, and hide my commaundements with thee;
2:2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
2:2So that thou incline thine eare vnto wisedome, and apply thine heart to vnderstanding:
Selected passage2:3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
2:3Yea if thou cryest after knowledge, and †liftest vp thy voyce for vnderstanding:
Selected passage2:4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
2:4*If thou seekest her as siluer, and searchest for her, as for hid treasures:
Selected passage2:5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
2:5Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.