Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Original Language Analysis
עֵץ
She is a tree
H6086
עֵץ
She is a tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
1 of 7
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
חַיִּ֣ים
of life
H2416
חַיִּ֣ים
of life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 7
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
הִ֭יא
H1931
הִ֭יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 7
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים
to them that lay hold
H2388
לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים
to them that lay hold
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
4 of 7
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
Cross References
Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.Proverbs 15:4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.Revelation 2:7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.Revelation 22:2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.Genesis 3:22And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:Genesis 2:9And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Historical Context
Tree of life appears at Scripture's beginning (Gen 2:9) and end (Rev 22:2), making it central to God's purposes. Proverbs identifies wisdom as means of recovering what Adam lost through folly.
Questions for Reflection
- How are you actively 'laying hold' of wisdom through spiritual disciplines and practices?
- In what ways has wisdom brought life and happiness that material pleasures couldn't provide?
Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her, and happy are those who retain her. Tree of life imagery recalls Eden's paradise and anticipates Revelation's restoration. Wisdom provides abundant, flourishing life - not mere survival but thriving. The verbs 'lay hold' and 'retain' emphasize active, sustained grasp - wisdom requires ongoing pursuit and practice, not one-time acquisition. Such pursuit produces lasting happiness (blessedness).