Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
11. rubies ] See Pro 3:15, note.
to it ] Better, unto her, R.V.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Pro 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies.
Rubies
This jewel is called a sardius in two places in the Bible. The name comes from the Latin Ruber, which means red, and this name is given to the ruby because of its colour. It is sometimes called a carbuncle. We may regard the ruby as representing love or charity. What is there about the ruby on account of which love or charity may be compared to it? What did people in olden times think the ruby could do?
I. Cure sorrow. It was thought that a ruby had the power of driving away sadness from their hearts, or of curing their sorrows. That was not true, but this is true–if we have this ruby, a heart of love to Jesus, it will help to cure our own sorrows, and help us to cure other people.
II. Shine in the dark. Stories used to be told of rubies and other jewels being employed, instead of lamps, in dark caverns, to give light, just as if they had power in themselves to shine like so many suns. But this was a mistake. It is only true of the Bible ruby. Real love to anybody, and especially the love of Jesus, will shine in the dark. And when we speak of love shining in the dark, we mean that it will give us help and comfort in trouble. It will make us able to do and suffer things that we never could do without it.
III. Keep them from harm. People used to carry a ruby about them as a sort of charm. It is only the Bible ruby that can keep from danger. Loving and trusting God will be a true charm. The ruby heart will keep us from getting hurt. (R. Newton, D. D.)
The supreme worth of wisdom
What does Wisdom offer? She offers to surpass in value everything that men have yet honoured with their appreciation. She will put aside rubies, and things that are to be desired, and all gold, and she will stand alone, absolutely unique in worth. Gold may be lost, rubies may be stolen; desire may say, I cannot pant and gasp any longer, I have been filled to satiety: let me die. Nor are these things to be ignored as to their temporary value and uses. He is a foolish man who despises gold and rubies and pearls and choice silver: he is more foolish still who thinks they can buy him anything that he can take into eternity with him. In death all these things leave the possessor. That is a mournful reality. May not a man take the family jewels with him? No, not one. Must he go into the other world empty-handed. Yes, empty-handed: he brought nothing into this world, and it is certain he can carry nothing out. Then we have only a life-right in them? Is there anything that will go with a man clear through to the other spaces? Yes: character will go with him. The mans character is the man himself. The wise man has the key of all the worlds. And the fool has the key of none of them. He who is without wisdom is without riches. He who has wisdom has all wealth. The wise man is never solitary. He has the thoughts of ages. He is a silent prophet; he will not write his prophecies but oh, how they make him glow, how they send a radiance into his vision, how they make him despise the charms, seductions, and blandishments of a lying world that rattles the bag of its emptiness to prove its treasure! (J. Parker, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 11. Wisdom is better than rubies] See on Pr 3:15.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
11. (Compare Pro 3:14;Pro 3:15).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For wisdom [is] better than rubies,…. A sort of precious stones: or, “than precious stones” z in general; so the Targum and Septuagint, Arabic and Syriac versions; even than all of them, as the Vulgate Latin version; or, than “pearls” a, or “carbuncles” b: there are none equal to it, nor is it to be procured by them; see
Job 28:16;
and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it;
[See comments on Pr 3:15].
z “gemmis”, Baynus; “prae gemmis politis”, Schultens. a “Margaritas”, Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; “unionibus”, Cocceius. b “Carbunculis”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(11) Rubies.See above on Pro. 3:15.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 8:11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Ver. 11. For wisdom is better than rubies. ] See Trapp on “ Pro 3:15 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
better. Note the seventeen occurrences of this rendering of Hebrew. tob in Proverbs: Pro 3:14; Pro 8:11, Pro 8:19; Pro 12:9; Pro 15:16, Pro 15:17; Pro 16:32; Pro 17:1; Pro 19:1, Pro 19:22; Pro 21:9, Pro 21:19; Pro 25:7, Pro 25:24; Pro 27:5, Pro 27:10; Pro 28:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
wisdom: Pro 3:14, Pro 4:5-7, Pro 16:16, Pro 20:15, Job 28:15-19, Psa 19:10, Psa 119:127, Mat 16:26, Phi 3:8, Phi 3:9
Reciprocal: Exo 28:17 – a sardius Deu 30:13 – go over the sea Job 28:13 – knoweth Psa 32:8 – instruct Psa 119:72 – better Psa 119:103 – sweet Pro 1:3 – receive Pro 3:15 – more Pro 31:10 – her Mat 13:45 – like Rev 18:12 – merchandise