Then you will find favorThe concept of finding favor is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, often associated with divine blessing and approval. In the Old Testament, figures like Noah (
Genesis 6:8) and Joseph (
Genesis 39:4) found favor in the eyes of God and others, leading to protection and success. This favor is not merely about human approval but is indicative of a life aligned with God's will, resulting in His blessings. The Hebrew word for favor, "chen," implies grace and kindness, suggesting that living according to God's wisdom brings about a gracious response from both God and people.
and high regard
High regard, or esteem, is a result of living a life marked by integrity and wisdom. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, reputation and honor were highly valued. Proverbs often emphasizes the importance of a good name (Proverbs 22:1), which is achieved through righteous living. This esteem is not superficial but is deeply connected to one's character and actions. The biblical narrative consistently shows that those who walk in wisdom and righteousness, like Daniel (Daniel 6:3), are held in high regard by others.
in the sight of God and man.
This phrase underscores the dual aspect of living a life pleasing to both divine and human observers. Biblically, it reflects the idea that true wisdom and righteousness are recognized and rewarded by God and can also lead to respect and admiration from people. Jesus Christ exemplified this balance, growing in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). The integration of divine and human approval suggests that a life lived according to God's principles naturally results in harmonious relationships and societal respect. This dual favor is a testament to the transformative power of living according to God's wisdom.
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.
GodThe ultimate source of wisdom and favor. In the context of Proverbs, God is the one who grants favor and high regard to those who live according to His principles.
3.
ManRefers to humanity in general. The verse suggests that living wisely and righteously will earn respect and favor from other people as well.
Teaching Points
Pursue Wisdom and UnderstandingProverbs 3:4 is a continuation of the call to seek wisdom. By pursuing wisdom, we align ourselves with God's will, which leads to favor.
Live RighteouslyLiving according to God's commandments not only pleases Him but also earns the respect of others. Our actions should reflect our faith.
Seek God's Approval FirstWhile favor with man is important, our primary goal should be to seek God's approval. When we do, favor with others often follows.
Balance in RelationshipsThis verse encourages a balance in our relationships, emphasizing the importance of being right with both God and people.
Practical Application of FaithOur faith should be evident in our daily lives, influencing how we interact with others and how we are perceived.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 3:4?
2.How can we gain "favor and high regard" with God and man today?
3.What actions demonstrate trust in God as seen in Proverbs 3:4?
4.How does Proverbs 3:4 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving others?
5.In what ways can we apply Proverbs 3:4 in our daily interactions?
6.How does Proverbs 3:4 encourage us to balance divine and human relationships?
7.How does Proverbs 3:4 relate to finding favor with God and man?
8.What historical context influences the interpretation of Proverbs 3:4?
9.How does Proverbs 3:4 challenge modern views on success and relationships?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 3?
11.How can you inscribe mercy and truth in your heart?
12.How can you inscribe mercy and truth in your heart?
13.Proverbs 21:21: How can this promise of life, prosperity, and honor be reconciled with the reality that many righteous and loving people suffer hardship or persecution?
14.If ignoring the law makes one's prayers detestable (Proverbs 28:9), how do we account for apparent answered prayers among those who openly violate biblical commands?What Does Proverbs 3:4 Mean
Then- The word signals a promised outcome flowing directly from verses 3-4’s call to “Let loving devotion and faithfulness never leave you” (Proverbs 3:3).
- Scripture often links obedience to a clear “then”: “If you carefully follow… then the LORD your God will set you high” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).
- Living God’s way is never aimless; His directives come with certain, gracious results.
You will find- “Will” conveys certainty, not possibility. God binds His own name to this promise (Numbers 23:19).
- “Find” implies discovery after pursuit—echoing Jesus’ “seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7) andJeremiah 29:13’s assurance that those who seek God wholeheartedly locate Him.
- The Father intends believers to experience, not merely observe, His favor.
Favor and high regard- Favor speaks of gracious approval. High regard (or a “good name,”Proverbs 22:1) is esteem that endures.
- Examples:
• Noah “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8).
• Joseph, though a slave, gained such regard that “his master saw that the LORD was with him” (Genesis 39:2-4).
•Psalm 5:12 promises God surrounds the righteous “with favor as a shield.”
- Practical expressions:
• Open doors of opportunity (Revelation 3:8).
• Protection and guidance (Psalm 32:8).
• Influence that points others to Christ (Philippians 2:15).
In the sight of God- God’s evaluation matters most; His eyes “range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
- Divine favor is rooted in relationship, not mere performance (Romans 5:1-2).
- When our “ways are known to the LORD” (Psalm 1:6), He delights to bless openly (Matthew 6:4).
And man- God-given character naturally earns respect from people, even in a fallen world.
- Samuel “grew in favor with the LORD and with men” (1 Samuel 2:26), and Jesus mirrored that pattern (Luke 2:52).
-Proverbs 16:7 affirms, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
- Observable integrity creates:
• Credibility for gospel witness (1 Peter 2:12).
• Harmony in relationships (Romans 12:18).
• A legacy that outlives us (Acts 9:36-39).
summaryProverbs 3:4 promises a two-fold reward—God’s gracious approval and human respect—when love and faithfulness shape our daily walk. Obedience to the Father positions us to receive His favor, and the character He forms within us wins esteem from others, opening doors for His glory to be displayed through our lives.
(4)
Favour and good understanding.--Particularly noted as distinguishing the childhood of our Lord (
Luke 2:52).
Verse 4. -
So shalt thou find (
vum'lsa); literally,
and find. A peculiar use of the imperative, the imperative kal (
m'tsa) with
vau consecutive (
וִ) being equivalent to the future, "thou shalt find," as in the Authorized Version. This construction, where two imperatives are joined, the former containing an exhortation or admonition, the second a promise made on the condition implied in the first, and the second imperative being used as a future, occurs again in
Proverbs 4:4;
Proverbs 7:2, "Keep my commandments, and live;" 9:6, "Forsake the foolish, and live;" 20:13, "Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread" (cf.
Genesis 42:18;
Psalm 37:27;
Job 22:21;
Isaiah 36:16;
Hosea 10:12;
Amos 5:4-6; Gesenius, § 130, 2). Delitzsch calls this "an admonitory imperative;" Bottcher, "the desponsive imperative." Compare the Greek construction in Menander,
Οϊδ ὅτι ποίησον, for
ποιήσεις, "Know that this you will do."
Find (
matza); here simply "to attain," "obtain," not necessarily implying previous search, as in
Proverbs 17:20.
Favour (
khen). The same word is frequently translated "grace," and means the same thing; Vulgate,
gratia; LXX.,
χαρίς. For the expression, "to find favour" (
matsa khen), see
Genesis 6:8;
Exodus 33:12;
Jeremiah 31:2; comp.
Luke 1:30,
Αῦρεςγὰρ χάριν παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ." For thou hast found favour [or, 'grace'] with God." spoken by Gabriel to the Virgin.
Good understanding (
sekel tov);
i.e. good sagacity, or prudence. So Delitzsch, Bertheau, Kamph. A true sagacity, prudence, or penetrating judgment will be adjudicated by God and man to him who possesses the internal excellence of love and truth. The Hebrew
sekel is derived from
sakal, "to act wisely or prudently," and has this intellectual meaning in
Proverbs 13:15;
Psalm 111:10 (see also
1 Samuel 25:3 and
2 Chronicles 30:22). The Targum Jonathan reads,
intellectus et benignitas, thus throwing the adjective into a substantival form; the Syriac,
intellectus simply. Ewald, Hitzig, Zockler, and others, on the other hand, understand
sekel as referring to the judgment formed of any one, the favourable opinion or view which is entertained of hint by others, and hence take it as
reputation, or estimation. The man who has love and truth will be held in high esteem by God and man. Our objection to this rendering is that it does not seem to advance the meaning of the passage beyond that of "favour." Another, mentioned by Delitzsch, is that
sekel is never used in any other sense than that of
intellectus in the Mishle. The marginal reading, "good success,"
i.e. prosperity, seems inadmissible here, as the hiph.
has'kil, "to cause to prosper," as in
Proverbs 17:8;
Joshua 1:7;
Deuteronomy 29:9, does not apply in this instance any more than in
Psalm 111:10, margin.
In the sight of God and man (
b'eyney elohim v'adam); literally,
in the eyes of Elohim and man;
i.e. according to the judgment of God and man (Zockler); Vulgate
, coram Deo et hominibus. A simpler form of this phrase is found in
1 Samuel 2:26, where Samuel is said to have found favour with the Lord, and also with men. So in
Luke 2:52 Jesus found favour "with God and man (
παρὰ Θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις)" (comp.
Genesis 10:9;
Acts 2:47,
Romans 14:18). The two conditions of favor and sagacity, or prudence, are not to be assigned respectively to God and man (as Ewald and Hitzig), or that finding favour has reference more to God, and being deemed prudent refers more to man. The statement is universal. Both these conditions will be adjudged to the man who has mercy and truth by God in heaven and man on earth at the same time (see Delitszch). The LXX., "after favour," instead of the text, reads, "and provide good things in the sight of the Lord and men," quoted by St. Paul (
2 Corinthians 8:21).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then you will findוּמְצָא־(ū·mə·ṣā-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be presentfavorחֵ֖ן(ḥên)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580:Graciousness, subjective, objectiveand high regardוְשֵֽׂכֶל־(wə·śê·ḵel-)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7922:Intelligence, successin the sightבְּעֵינֵ֖י(bə·‘ê·nê)Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountainof Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeand man.וְאָדָֽם׃(wə·’ā·ḏām)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human being
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:4 So you will find favor and good (Prov. Pro Pr) 
