The Meaning of Proverbs 8:11 Explained

Proverbs 8:11

KJV: For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

YLT: For better is wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.

Darby: for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not equal to it.

ASV: For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For wisdom  [is] better  than rubies;  and all the things that may be desired  are not to be compared  to it. 

What does Proverbs 8:11 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 8:1-21 - "better Than Gold"
This chapter contains a bewitching picture of Wisdom as a noble matron. Were it not for this feminine touch, we might, suppose that the Preacher had become a Prophet and was discerning the lineaments of Christ, who in His human life embodied the Divine Wisdom, as indeed He was the Eternal Word.
She stands in the open places; her ringing voice is heard down the streets, appealing to those who are entering the city gates or doors of the houses. There is no muttering or whispering; but the beauty of goodness illuminates all she says. She insists on her own value, as compared with the valuables that men prize. The central point in her promises is that she imparts those great moral qualities which imply the true leadership and right estimate of others. What a precious word is Proverbs 8:17 : but we can never forget that we love "because He first loved us." Oh, the mystery and wonder of it! And can that love ever fail us? [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 8

1  the fame
6  and evidence of wisdom
10  The excellence
12  the nature
15  the power
18  the riches
22  and the eternity of wisdom
32  Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings

What do the individual words in Proverbs 8:11 mean?

For better wisdom [is] than rubies and all the [things] one may desire cannot be compared with her
כִּֽי־ טוֹבָ֣ה חָ֭כְמָה מִפְּנִינִ֑ים וְכָל־ חֲ֝פָצִ֗ים לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־ בָֽהּ

טוֹבָ֣ה  better 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
חָ֭כְמָה  wisdom  [is] 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: חָכְמָה  
Sense: wisdom.
מִפְּנִינִ֑ים  than  rubies 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine plural
Root: פְּנִיּיִם 
Sense: a precious stone.
וְכָל־  and  all  the  [things] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
חֲ֝פָצִ֗ים  one  may  desire 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: חֵפֶץ  
Sense: delight, pleasure.
לֹ֣א  cannot 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יִֽשְׁווּ־  be  compared 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁוָה 
Sense: to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble.
בָֽהּ  with  her 
Parse: Preposition, third person feminine singular