What Does Proverbs 3:16 Mean?

Wisdom is personified as holding different gifts in each of her hands. Long life is held in her right hand while riches and honor are held in her left. The distribution of these gifts shows their relative priority in the wise life. In the ancient world the right hand was the place of honor and primary blessing. By placing long life in the right hand, the father shows that existence itself is the primary gift. Riches and honor are valuable but they are secondary to the life they accompany.

This hierarchy reminds the son that he should not pursue wealth at the expense of wisdom. People often prioritize riches and honor and hope that a long life will follow. Wisdom reverses this order by providing the life first and then adding the other gifts as accompaniments. [Proverbs 21:21] notes that the person who pursues righteousness and kindness finds life and honor. The deepest gift is the one held in the hand of priority. The order of these gifts teaches the student what should be valued most.

Jesus gives the most direct command regarding this order in [Matthew 6:33]. He tells his disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. He promises that the material provisions of life will then be added to them. The things added correspond to the gifts in the left hand of wisdom while the kingdom corresponds to the right. Jesus does not say provisions are unimportant but he insists they come to those who seek what is truly first. Both verse 16 and the gospel call for this reversal of human priority.