King James Version

What Does Proverbs 3:2 Mean?

Proverbs 3:2 in the King James Version says “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. long: Heb. years of life” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. long: Heb. years of life”

Proverbs 3:2 · KJV

Peace

Context

1

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. long: Heb. years of life

3

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

4

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. good: or, good success

Read Proverbs 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Length of days and peace are promised to those who keep God's wisdom. The Hebrew 'shalom' encompasses not merely absence of conflict but positive flourishing - health, prosperity, right relationships, spiritual wholeness. This verse teaches that obedience to divine wisdom produces qualitative and quantitative life enhancement. Reformed theology doesn't view this as prosperity gospel but recognizes God's general providence - godly living generally produces better outcomes than foolish living, though exceptions exist in our fallen world.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Deuteronomic covenant promised longevity and prosperity for obedience (Deuteronomy 5:33, 30:20). While these promises had national/temporal focus in the Mosaic economy, wisdom literature personalizes them as general principles: wise living tends toward flourishing. Job and Ecclesiastes later nuance this, showing that suffering can befall the righteous, yet the general principle remains valid.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance God's promises of blessing with the reality that godly people sometimes suffer?
  2. What kinds of 'long life' and 'peace' can you identify in your own life as fruits of following God's wisdom?
  3. How might pursuing peace (shalom) in God's way differ from pursuing comfort in worldly ways?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
כִּ֤י1 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֹ֣רֶךְ2 of 8

“For length”

H753

length

יָ֭מִים3 of 8

“of days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וּשְׁנ֣וֹת4 of 8

“and long”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

חַיִּ֑ים5 of 8

“life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם6 of 8

“and peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

יוֹסִ֥יפוּ7 of 8

“shall they add”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לָֽךְ׃8 of 8
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 3:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 6:1-3Proverbs 4:10Psalms 91:16Psalms 128:6Proverbs 9:11Romans 15:13

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