Mishle 19:8

8 He that getteth lev [of understanding] loveth his own nefesh; he that is shomer over tevunah (understanding) shall find tov.

Mishle 19:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:8

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul
Wisdom and knowledge in things natural and civil; and especially in things divine, spiritual, and evangelical; particularly he that gets Christ, the Wisdom of God, and a saving knowledge of him; see ( Proverbs 3:13 ) . Or, "he that getteth a heart" ^F16; a good heart, as the Targum explains it; which is a new heart, and a new spirit; a clean heart and a right spirit; a heart of flesh, a soft, tender, and contrite one, in opposition to a hard heart, a heart of stone: a wise and understanding heart, such an one as Solomon had; a heart to know the Lord, and to fear him; in which his laws are written, the graces of his Spirit are implanted; and in which God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, dwell: he who is desirous of such a he art seeks after it, prays for it, and uses all means to obtain it; and who, through the grace of God; does possess it, as the word signifies; he by all this shows that he has a regard to the good and welfare of his immortal soul; when such, who indulge to ignorance and a wicked heart, wrong and hate their own souls; see ( Proverbs 29:24 ) ; he that keepeth understanding shall find good;
retains the wisdom he has got; holds fast instruction, and keeps it, which is committed to him; abides by the doctrines of the Gospel, and does not depart from them; keeps the ordinances of it, which it is his wisdom and understanding to do; see ( Deuteronomy 4:6 ) ; he finds his account in all this; he finds that which is good, good for him now and hereafter; he finds Christ, and life in him; peace, joy, and comfort in this world: and, in the world to come, glory, honour, and happiness.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F16 (bl) "cor", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Mercerus

Mishle 19:8 In-Context

6 Rabbim (many) will entreat the favor of the ruler, and every ish is the re’a (friend) to him that giveth mattan (gifts).

7 All the kin of the rahsh (pauper) do hate him; how much more does his friend avoid him? He pursueth them with words, yet they are not there.

8 He that getteth lev [of understanding] loveth his own nefesh; he that is shomer over tevunah (understanding) shall find tov.

9 An ed shekarim (false witness) shall not go unpunished, and he that speaketh kezavim (lies) shall perish.

10 Luxury is not fitting for a kesil (fool); much less for an eved to have rule over sarim.