She is a tree of life to those who embrace herIn this phrase, "she" refers to wisdom, personified throughout Proverbs as a woman. The "tree of life" is a powerful biblical symbol, first appearing in
Genesis 2:9, 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 (
John 14:6).
and those who lay hold of her are blessed
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 inMatthew 5, 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.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally 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.
2.
Tree of LifeA 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.
3.
WisdomPersonified as a woman in Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as a source of life and blessing to those who seek and embrace her.
Teaching Points
The Value of WisdomWisdom is not just knowledge but a life-giving force that brings blessing and fulfillment.
Embracing WisdomActively seeking and holding onto wisdom is essential for a blessed life. It requires intentionality and commitment.
Wisdom as a Divine GiftWisdom is portrayed as a gift from God, akin to the Tree of Life, offering spiritual nourishment and growth.
The Pursuit of WisdomPursuing wisdom should be a lifelong endeavor, as it continually enriches and guides our lives.
Wisdom and Eternal PerspectiveJust as the Tree of Life points to eternal life, wisdom provides an eternal perspective, guiding us in aligning our lives with God's will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 3:18?
2.How can we practically "lay hold of" wisdom in our daily lives?
3.What does "tree of life" symbolize in Proverbs 3:18 and Genesis 2:9?
4.How does embracing wisdom lead to happiness according to Proverbs 3:18?
5.In what ways can we "embrace" wisdom in challenging situations?
6.How does Proverbs 3:18 connect to the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels?
7.What does Proverbs 3:18 mean by "a tree of life"?
8.How does Proverbs 3:18 relate to wisdom in daily life?
9.Why is wisdom personified as feminine in Proverbs 3:18?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 3?
11.What does 'Without vision the people perish' mean?
12.What do the tree's leaves symbolize for nations' healing?
13.How does Genesis 2:9 account for the existence of the “Tree of Life” or “Tree of Knowledge” beyond mythological imagery?
14.What do the tree's leaves symbolize for nations' healing?What Does Proverbs 3:18 Mean
She is a tree of lifeProverbs 3:18 opens with, “She is a tree of life….” “She” is the wisdom described in the previous verses (Proverbs 3:13-17). By calling wisdom “a tree of life,” God links it to the literal tree He planted in Eden (Genesis 2:9) and to the healing tree that appears in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:2). Just as the garden tree sustained Adam and Eve, so wisdom nourishes us today.Proverbs 11:30 echoes the thought: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.” Wisdom is not a mere concept; it is life-giving, fruitful, and enduring.
to those who embrace herLife flows from wisdom only “to those who embrace her.” Embrace speaks of personal, wholehearted commitment:
•Proverbs 4:8: “Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.”
•Deuteronomy 30:19 urges, “Choose life,” reminding us that God’s gifts often require an active, willing reception.
•Psalm 119:30-31 shows David clinging to God’s precepts, refusing to let go.
When we wrap our arms around wisdom—loving Scripture, obeying it, making it our daily counsel—we experience the life it promises.
and those who lay hold of herThe phrase intensifies the idea: grasp wisdom and don’t let go. The picture is of Jacob refusing to release the angel until he received a blessing (Genesis 32:26), or of Paul “pressing on to take hold” of Christ’s purpose (Philippians 3:12-14).Proverbs 4:13 adds, “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it, for it is your life.” Wisdom is available, but it must be seized with purpose and guarded with vigilance.
are blessedThe outcome is guaranteed: “…are blessed.”Proverbs 3:13 already declared, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom.” That blessing is comprehensive:
• Peaceful paths and pleasant ways (Proverbs 3:17)
• Stability and fruitfulness like a well-watered tree (Psalm 1:1-3)
• Success in obedience (Joshua 1:8)
• Practical provision (Proverbs 8:18-21)
James 1:25 brings the promise into the New Covenant: “He will be blessed in what he does.” The blessing tied to wisdom spans both Testaments and encompasses every sphere of life.
summaryWisdom, rooted in God’s own character and revealed in His Word, is a living, life-giving tree. When we actively embrace and tenaciously lay hold of it, God pledges real, measurable blessing—peace, stability, fruitfulness, and joy—for today and eternity.
(18)
A tree of life.--Evidently an allusion to Genesis 2, 3. No mention is made of it except in Proverbs (
Proverbs 11:30;
Proverbs 13:12;
Proverbs 15:4) and Revelation (
Proverbs 2:7;
Proverbs 22:2).
Verse 18. -
A tree of life (
ets-khayyim); Vulgate,
lignum vitae; LXX.,
ξύλον ζωῆς. This expression obviously refers to "the tree of life" (
ets-hakayyim), 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 (
Proverbs 11:30;
Proverbs 13:12;
Proverbs 15:4) 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
Proverbs 13:4 and Proverbs 14:27, and a "well of life." in
Proverbs 10:11; 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 (
Revelation 2:7;
Revelation 22:2, 14). 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,"
lignum vitae crux Christi (quoted by Delitzsch). The symbol, Plumptre remarks, entered largely into the religious imagery of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia.
To them that lay hold upon (
lam-makhazikim, hiph. participle); Vulgate,
his, qui apprehenderint; LXX.,
τοῖςἀντεχομένοις. The Hebrew verb
חָזַק (
khazak), "to tie fast," is in hiph. with
בְּ (
b)
," to take hold of," "to seize any one." Happy is every one that retaineth her. In the original, the participle, "they retaining her" (
tom'keyah), is plural, and the predicate, "happy" or "blessed" (
m'ushshar), is singular. The latter is used distributively, and the construction is common (cf.
Proverbs 15:22). The Authorized Version aptly renders the original. The necessity for "retaining" as well as "laying hold" of Wisdom is pointed out. The verb
תָּמַך (
tamak)
is "to hold fast something taken." Such will be blessed who hold Wisdom tenaciously and perseveringly.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Sheהִ֭יא(hî)Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, areis a treeעֵץ־(‘êṣ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6086:Tree, trees, woodof lifeחַיִּ֣ים(ḥay·yîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416:Alive, raw, fresh, strong, lifeto those who embrace her,לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים(lam·ma·ḥă·zî·qîm)Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2388:To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquerand those who lay hold of herוְֽתֹמְכֶ֥יהָ(wə·ṯō·mə·ḵe·hā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8551:To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow closeare blessed.מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃(mə·’uš·šār)Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 833:To be straight, to go forward, be honest, proper
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to (Prov. Pro Pr) 
