The Meaning of Proverbs 8:14 Explained

Proverbs 8:14

KJV: Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

YLT: Mine is counsel and substance, I am understanding, I have might.

Darby: Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am intelligence; I have strength.

ASV: Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge: I am understanding; I have might.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Counsel  [is] mine, and sound wisdom:  I [am] understanding;  I have strength. 

What does Proverbs 8:14 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 8:14 mean?

Mine Counsel [is] and sound wisdom I [am] understanding I have strength
לִֽי־ עֵ֭צָה וְתוּשִׁיָּ֑ה אֲנִ֥י בִ֝ינָ֗ה לִ֣י גְבוּרָֽה

לִֽי־  Mine 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אָבָה  
Sense: to be willing, consent.
עֵ֭צָה  Counsel  [is] 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵצָה 
Sense: counsel, advice, purpose.
וְתוּשִׁיָּ֑ה  and  sound  wisdom 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: תּוּשִׁיָּה  
Sense: wisdom, sound knowledge, success, sound or efficient wisdom, abiding success.
אֲנִ֥י  I  [am] 
Parse: Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
בִ֝ינָ֗ה  understanding 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: בִּינָה  
Sense: understanding, discernment.
לִ֣י  I  have 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
גְבוּרָֽה  strength 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: גְּבוּרָה  
Sense: strength, might.