Proverbs 8:35

35 For he who finds me [is] he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh.

Proverbs 8:35 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 8:35

For whoso findeth me findeth life
Of finding Christ, (See Gill on Proverbs 3:13). Such that find Christ find "life" or "lives" {z}, life spiritual and eternal; till they are found of Christ, and find him in effectual calling, they are dead; but, when called by his grace and converted, they live a life of justification and sanctification; they live a life of faith on Christ, of holiness from him, and communion with him: and such that find life in this sense find spiritual food in and from Christ, to support this life; and spiritual clothing, a justifying righteousness, called the justification of life, and which is the comfort of it; and rest in him, which makes life pleasant and delightful. Such an one finds that which of all things is most valuable, the life of his immortal soul; and which he can find nowhere else; and which, being found, can never be lost, for he finds eternal life in him; and has both a right unto it, and a meetness for it; yea, has the beginning, pledge, and earnest of it, ( 1 John 5:11 1 John 5:12 ) ; and shall obtain favour of the Lord;
by which is meant, not favour among men, though that is had from the Lord, it is he that gives it; nor temporal blessings, for in this sense favour is not to men of spiritual skill and wisdom; rather spiritual blessings, an access to God, acceptance with him; the presence of God, and communion with him; peace of conscience, and every needful supply of grace: but it seems most principally to design the love, grace, and good will of God, the spring and fountain of all blessings: and "obtaining" it does not intend getting an interest in it, for that is free and sovereign; nor is there anything in men, or done by them, which can procure it; but an enjoyment of it. The word F1 used signifies a drawing it out, as water out of a well; and denotes that it is before it is drawn out or manifested; that it is in the heart of God, and lies hid there, from whence it flows as from a well or fountain; and is enjoyed in the exercise of the grace of faith; when the Lord remembers his people, and encompasses them about with it; or draws it out in great lengths, or grants continued and comfortable manifestations of it; see ( Psalms 36:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F26 (Myyx) "vitas", Montanus.
F1 (qpy) "educet", Pagninus, Montanus; "hauriet", V. L. "haurit", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "depromit", Schultens.

Proverbs 8:35 In-Context

33 Hear teaching and be wise; do not neglect [it].
34 Happy [is the] person who listens to me, [in order] to keep watch at my doors day by day, [in order] to guard the frames of my entrances.
35 For he who finds me [is] he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh.
36 But he who misses me injures himself. All those who hate me love death."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew "those who find"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.