Proverbs 3:9
What does Proverbs 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Proverbs 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Proverbs 3:9 means
This verse calls for practical devotion by instructing the son to honor God with his material possessions and the very first and best of his earnings. 'Substance' refers to one's wealth and resources, and 'first-fruits of all thine increase' emphasizes giving God priority and the choicest portion, not just leftovers. This act of giving is an expression of worship, trust, and acknowledgment that all blessings come from Him, demonstrating a faithful heart.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Honour Jehovah from thy substance, And from the beginning of all thine increase;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of the first of all thy fruits;
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Honour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase;
Context
This verse introduces a new area of life where trust in the Lord is to be demonstrated: finances and material possessions. It extends the principle of acknowledging God (from verse 6) to how one manages and utilizes resources. This command to honor God with means sets the stage for the promised material blessings in the subsequent verse, illustrating the reciprocal nature of divine provision based on human obedience and generosity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 31:50
And we have brought Jehovah’s oblation, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, ankle-chains, and bracelets, signet-rings, ear-rings, and armlets, to make atonement for our souls before Jehovah.
- Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
- Deuteronomy 26:2
that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which thou shalt bring in from thy land that Jehovah thy God giveth thee; and thou shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there.
- Exodus 35:20
And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
- Genesis 14:18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High.
- Mark 14:10
And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them.
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