He stores up
The Hebrew root for "stores up" is "צָפַן" (tsaphan), which conveys the idea of treasuring or laying up something valuable. In the ancient Near Eastern context, storing up treasures was a sign of wealth and foresight. Here, it suggests that God, in His infinite wisdom, has an abundant reserve of guidance and insight ready for those who seek Him. This implies not only the availability of wisdom but also its preciousness and the intentionality of God in providing for His people.

sound wisdom
The term "sound wisdom" is derived from the Hebrew word "תּוּשִׁיָּה" (tushiyyah), which refers to practical, effective wisdom that leads to success and well-being. This is not merely intellectual knowledge but wisdom that is applicable and beneficial in real-life situations. In the biblical context, it underscores the idea that true wisdom is aligned with God's moral order and is essential for living a life that pleases Him.

for the upright
The "upright" are those who live in accordance with God's standards, characterized by righteousness and moral integrity. The Hebrew word "יָשָׁר" (yashar) implies straightness or correctness. In the historical context of Israel, being upright was synonymous with being in right standing with God, which was often reflected in one's ethical and moral conduct. This phrase assures that God's wisdom is specifically reserved for those who earnestly strive to live righteously.

He is a shield
The imagery of God as a "shield" is a powerful metaphor found throughout the Scriptures, particularly in the Psalms. The Hebrew word "מָגֵן" (magen) signifies protection and defense. In ancient warfare, a shield was a crucial piece of armor, providing safety from enemy attacks. This metaphor highlights God's role as a protector of His people, offering them security and refuge amidst life's battles.

to those who walk with integrity
"Walk with integrity" is a phrase that denotes living a life of honesty and moral soundness. The Hebrew word for "integrity" is "תֹּם" (tom), which conveys completeness and blamelessness. Walking, in biblical terms, often symbolizes one's conduct or way of life. Thus, this phrase emphasizes the importance of consistent, upright behavior in one's daily life. Historically, integrity was a valued trait in the community of Israel, reflecting one's faithfulness to God's covenant. This assurance of divine protection is a promise to those who maintain their integrity, reinforcing the principle that God honors and safeguards those who live according to His ways.

(7) Sound wisdom.--Literally, furtherance, advancement (Comp. "Whosoever hath, unto him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance," Matthew 13:12.)

Verse 7. - Wisdom which is the foundation of security and safety, and hence is sound wisdom, is that which God treasures up for the righteous. The teacher passes to another phase of the Divine character. God is not only the Source of wisdom; he is also the Ensurer of safety, the Source of salvation to those who act uprightly. It will be noted that the use of the word is confined to the Proverbs and Job, with the exception of the two passages in Isaiah and Micah. Buckler. Besides storing up the treasures of sound wisdom, which the righteous may use and so obtain security in their uprightness, God is himself a Buckler, or Shield (מָגֵן, magen), to those who walk in innocence. This aspect of God's directly protecting power is met with in other parts of Scripture. In Genesis 15:1 he encourages Abram with the assurance, "I am thy Shield." In Psalm 33:20; Psalm 84:11; Psalm 89:18; Psalm 144:2, Jehovah is called a Shield to his saints. He renders them security against the assaults of their enemies, and especially against the fiery darts of the wicked one. Again, in Proverbs 30:5, it is said, "God is a Shield (magen) up to them that walk uprightly." It is incorrect to take מָגֵן (magen) either as an accusative after the verb or in apposition with "sound wisdom." To them that walk uprightly; literally, to the walkers in innocence (לְחֹלֵכֵי תֹם, l'khol'key thom). תֹם (thom) is "integrity of mind," "moral faultlessness," "innocence." "To walk uprightly" is to maintain a course of life regulated by right principles, and directed to right ends. He "walks uprightly who lives with the fear of God as his principle, the Word of God as his rule, and the glory of God as his end" (Wardlaw). The completeness of the moral and religious character is involved in the expression which is found also in Proverbs 10:9 and Psalm 84:11. The Vulgate translates the latter clause of the verse, proteget gradientes simpliciter, "he will protect those who walk in simplicity;" cf. 2 Corinthians 1:12 in illustration of the phrase. He layeth up; i.e. he treasures up (LXX., θησαυρίζειν), or preserves and protects (custodire, Vulgate), as a person does "treasure or jewel, that it may not be stolen" (Zockler). The majority of commentators read the Keri (יִצפֹן, "he will treasure up," future of צָפַן) in preference to the Khetib (צָפַן, perfect of same verb, with prefix וְ, "and he treasured up"), and this is the; reading adopted in the Authorized Version. The Keri implies that God does treasure up sound wisdom, while the Khetib, as Delitzsch observes, has the force of the aorist, and so represents the treasuring up as an accomplished fact. The same verb occurs in Proverbs 2:1, where it is translated in the Authorized Version by "hide," and also in Proverbs 7:1 and Proverbs 10:14 by "lay up." The laying up, or treasuring, points to the preciousness of that which is treasured, "sound wisdom." Sound wisdom. A great variety of opinions exists as to the true meaning of the word in the original, תְוּשִׁיָה (tvushiyyah), of which "sound wisdom" is an interpretation. Zockler explains it as "wisdom, reflection;" Delitzsch, as "advancement and promotion;" Dathe, as "solid fortune;" Gesenius, as "aid." The proper meaning of the word seems to he "substance," from the root יָשָׁה, "to be, to exist, to be firm." Professor Lee remarks on the word, "From the places in which it occurs, either wealth, thought, or some such sense it manifestly requires. It occurs in Job 6:13, in parallelism with 'help;' in Proverbs 2:7, with a 'shield;' in Job 1:6, with 'wisdom;' in Job 12:16, with 'strength;' in Proverbs 3:21, with 'discretion;' in Proverbs 8:14, with 'counsel' and 'understanding;' in Isaiah 28:29, with 'counsel;' and so in Job 26:3. In Job 30:22 and Micah 6:9, 'entirely' or the like seems to suit the context; see also Proverbs 18:1, and generally 'excess,' or 'abundance,' taken either in a good or bad sense, and varied by other considerations, seems to prevail in every case in which this word is used" (see Professor Lee, on Job 5:12). The parallelism of the passage before us seems to require that it should be understood in the sense of security; and transferring the idea to wisdom as the means of security. This idea is reproduced in the LXX. σωτήρια, the Vulgate salus, and the Targum incolumitas.

Parallel Commentaries ...


He stores up
יִצְפֹּ֣ן (yiṣ·pōn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6845: To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk

sound wisdom
תּוּשִׁיָּ֑ה (tū·šî·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8454: Support, ability, help, an undertaking, understanding

for the upright;
לַ֭יְשָׁרִים (lay·šā·rîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

He is a shield
מָ֝גֵ֗ן (mā·ḡên)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 4043: A shield, a protector, the scaly hide of the crocodile

to those who walk
לְהֹ֣לְכֵי (lə·hō·lə·ḵê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with integrity,
תֹֽם׃ (ṯōm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8537: Completeness, integrity, also part of the high priest's breastplate


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 2:7 He lays up sound wisdom (Prov. Pro Pr)