She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her.
This verse weighs wisdom against precious jewels. Then it goes further and weighs wisdom against everything a person could want. Commentators ask two questions here. What is this "wisdom" that is worth so much? And why does nothing else come close?
God's own favour
One writer takes the jewels as the highest value on earth. Then he names what is worth more — God's own favour:
How true that "the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold." We can say that the wisdom that comes down from above is more precious than jewels. Nothing a person can desire equals the rich gift of God's favour.
Who "her" is
The "her" in this verse is not just a quality. Writers link the wisdom of Proverbs to a person — and to that person living inside the believer:
Verse 13 says, "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding." We will gladly agree if we remember two things. Wisdom is pictured as a person in Christ (1 Cor. 1:24). And "Christ Jesus … became to us wisdom from God" (1 Cor. 1:30). Of course, "the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold" (v. 14). No wealth — jewels or anything else of value on earth — compares with "her." Proverbs speaks of wisdom as "she" to show wisdom at work inside a person, that is, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Why gold loses the comparison
Gold and jewels have real value. But that value does not last. One writer sets what passes against what remains:
We waste no time when thinking of Jesus, for every thought of Him yields present delight and is of eternal value. All the wisdom that human minds can produce will pass like smoke. But every thought of Him that the Holy Spirit gives will remain a priceless possession forever. Understanding Him is what "is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her" (Prov. 3:14-15).
Nothing else is wanted
The second half of the verse says more than "wisdom is worth more." It says that wanting anything else falls away. One writer describes the settled state of a person who walks with God:
In verses 14 and 15, He compares her to treasures on earth. Blessing in this world goes with her. But it is more than outward blessing. It is a path of quietness, peace of spirit, and cheerfulness of heart. Nothing weighs on the conscience, and the heart is free to enjoy. There are no unsatisfied desires, but free affections. There is no restless will, but the sense of God's favour.
The same writer compares this verse with the one before it:
The two words used here go further than verse 13. There she was a treasure that people searched for. Here she is held fast — what the soul keeps, values, and is kept in.
Seeking wisdom the way people seek silver
If wisdom is worth more than jewels, it deserves the effort people give to getting rich. One writer also says where wisdom comes from:
The search always calls for steadiness, endurance, and firm resolve. From that the Holy Spirit draws a lesson that can never disappoint. "If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." This turns man's dream of education upside down. Man is proud of his own acquisitions. "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth [not from man's mind or heart] come knowledge and understanding." Where do we find what His mouth gives, if not in His Word?
Applied to the wealth people actually chase, the same conclusion holds in plain terms:
Natural wealth, such as gold and silver (v. 16) is considered by men to be of supreme importance, so that they strive to make themselves more wealthy than others, and wisdom is forgotten.
Summary
- Priced. Jewels mark the top of what money can buy. This verse puts wisdom above that ceiling — and above everything desire can name.
- Named. Commentators link the wisdom pictured here with Christ. So the treasure on the scales is a person, not a skill.
- Lasting. Silver and gold pass away. Thoughts of Him stay a priceless possession forever.
- Satisfying. Wisdom brings peace of spirit, a clear conscience, free affections, and no unsatisfied desires. That is why nothing else is wanted.
- Sought. Search for wisdom with the drive people put into making money. But expect to receive it as a gift from God through His Word, not as your own achievement.