Proverbs 8:10

10 Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold.

Proverbs 8:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 8:10

Receive my instruction, and not silver
Not but that silver may be desired, sought after and received, consistent with the instructions of wisdom; though an anxious, immoderate, sinful pursuit after it, hinders the reception of them; and when they are in competition, the one is to be preferred to the other: the doctrines of the Gospel are of more worth, and more to be desired, than thousands of gold and silver; and therefore the meaning is, that the instruction of wisdom should be received rather than silver; it should have the preference; so Gersom interprets it, and with which agrees the following clause:

and knowledge rather than choice gold;
that is, the knowledge of Christ, and the knowledge of God in Christ; the knowledge of the Gospel, and the truths of it; a spiritual and experimental knowledge of these things is of more value than the finest gold, than the gold of Ophir; see ( Psalms 19:10 ) ( 119:72 ) .

Proverbs 8:10 In-Context

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse.
9 They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge.
10 Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold.
11 For wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
12 I wisdom have dwelt counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.