Proverbs 2:4

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

and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure.

Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,

If you are looking for her as for silver, and searching for her as for stored-up wealth;

if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures—

If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;

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

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.