Proverbs 3:18 (GNV)

Passage

She is a tree of life to them that lay holde on her, and blessed is he that retaineth her.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 3:16 Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.

Proverbs 3:17 Her wayes are wayes of pleasure, and all her pathes prosperitie.

Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay holde on her, and blessed is he that retaineth her.

Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by wisdome hath layde the foundation of the earth, and hath stablished the heauens through vnderstanding.

Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depthes are broken vp, and the cloudes droppe downe the dewe.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "tree", "life", "holde", "blessed", and "retaineth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "tree" and "life", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "Her wayes are wayes of pleasure and..." into verse 19's "The Lord by wisdome hath layde the...", so "tree" and "life" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "tree" and "life" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.