Proverbs 2:4

if ¹  you seek ²  it like silver, ³  and search for it ⁴  like hidden treasure,

Job 28:12-20; Ps 19:10; Ps 119:14,72,127; Pr 3:14,15; Pr 8:18,19; Pr 16:16; Pr 23:23; Ec 4:8; Mt 6:19-21; Mt 13:44; Mt 19:21,22,29; Lu 16:8

¹ tn The conditional particle now reiterates the initial conditional clause of this introductory section (1-4); the apodosis will follow in v. 5.

² tn The verb בָּקַשׁ (baqash) means “to search for; to seek; to investigate” (BDB 134 s.v.). This calls for the same diligence one would have in looking for silver.

³ sn The two similes affirm that the value placed on the object will influence the eagerness and diligence in the pursuit and development of wisdom (e.g., Job 28:9-11). The point is not only that the object sought is valuable, but that the effort will be demanding but rewarding.

⁴ sn The verb חָפַשׂ (khafas) means “to dig; to search” (BDB 344 s.v.; cf. NCV “hunt for it”). The Arabic cognate means “to dig for water.” It is used literally of Joseph searching his brothers’ sacks (Gen 44:12) and figuratively for searching the soul (Ps 64:7). This is a more emphatic word than the one used in the first colon and again emphasizes that acquiring wisdom will be demanding.