Proverbs 2:3
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִ֣ם
H518
אִ֣ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִקְרָ֑א
Yea if thou criest
H7121
תִקְרָ֑א
Yea if thou criest
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
4 of 7
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לַ֝תְּבוּנָ֗ה
for understanding
H8394
לַ֝תְּבוּנָ֗ה
for understanding
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
5 of 7
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
Cross References
James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.Proverbs 3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Psalms 119:169Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.Psalms 119:125I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Historical Context
Crying aloud was the typical posture of prayer in ancient Israel, both in temple worship and personal devotion. This public earnestness contrasts with merely private, internal seeking.
Questions for Reflection
- How fervently do you pray for spiritual understanding compared to material needs?
- What would change if you sought God's wisdom with the same urgency as other desires?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Crying out for knowledge employs the language of desperate prayer. The Hebrew 'qara' and 'nathan' (cry/lift voice) are used elsewhere for urgent petitioning of God. This shows that gaining wisdom is fundamentally a spiritual exercise requiring dependence on God's revelation, not merely intellectual effort.