Proverbs 8:18 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon begins by personifying wisdom, riches and honour, but then it soon becomes clear, that he does not literally mean earthly riches, and earthly honour. He is thinking of something deeper and higher than that: ‘durable riches’, riches that last. Actually you could translate it antique or hereditary riches, riches that continue to hold their value, as the years go on, but durable riches is the sense, riches that will not pass away with this life.What did riches presuppose in ancient times? Well the people who gained in those days were those who were the shrewdest and the most capable, those who could direct others. Who was the man in olden times who built up large holdings of land, and a large estate and business? Well he was someone who had the capacity to direct others, and who was capable in his policies and in the way he managed his estates. What is in mind is an ability that builds up the company, or the estate, or the holdings. Honour means recognition. Honour means that the whole district makes you a magistrate or a leader, or a guide, or something of that sort. So it is more than just riches and honour, just descending from a rich forebear, that is in mind here. Who gets the riches and the honour? The person with the command of others, and with the skill and the character to build up his particular wealth and his particular holdings. What are the equivalent in these things? It is the person who finds spiritual wisdom. The second part of verse 18 – ‘Yea, durable riches and righteousness.’ You can see that what is implied here is that, whereas the man who gets wealth from extending his lands and business has shrewdness and power of command, what wisdom gives is shrewdness and power of command to produce righteousness over your body, over your character, over your heart.