Place in the structure of Proverbs 3: Exhortation to the son (3:1–12), Personified wisdom (3:13–20), Exhortation to the son (3:21–35).
Links with Proverbs 3:1–12. There are numerous connections between these verses and the previous address to the son. The concern with length of days/life and peace in 3:2 is picked up in 3:17-18. The language of ways and paths (though a different Hebrew word for the latter) in 3:6 is picked up in 3:17. The promise that wisdom leads to wealth in 3:10 (cf. 3:8) is qualified in 3:14-15 (but not denied, cf. 3:16).
Proverbs 3:13–20 as a textual unit. Blessed forms an inclusio around 3:13-18. Blessed is the first word of 3:13 and the last word of 3:18. Wisdom and understanding begin the section in v. 13 and are the key words in v. 19 (with knowledge being added in v. 20).
Eternal life in Proverbs 3:13–20. In 13–20, the terminology of blessedness, ways, and tree link this section to Psalm 1. The reference to the tree of life link this section to Genesis 1–2. These intertextual connections and the superlatives “nothing you desire can compare with her” indicates that the “long life” of verse 16 (and the “tree of life” in v. 18) should be read as a reference to eternal life.
Long life, shalom, and eternal life (a tree of life), is given by wisdom to the one who finds her. Verses 19-20 explain that this is because wisdom is built into the fabric of creation. Getting wisdom is thus like a return to Eden. It is living life as God intended and is therefore life-giving. This is not earning salvation by works, since the beginning of wisdom is fear of Yhwh (=faith).
On the significance of riches and honor in 16b. In light of the foregoing, it seems best to understand the riches and honor of verse 16b as riches and honor obtained in the new creation. (Though, under the Mosaic covenant, some riches and honor may have been typologically enjoyed in the present.) I don’t know if it would be over-reading the text to note that long (=eternal) life is in the right hand while riches and honor are in the left hand. Eternal life is of greater importance while riches and honor are significant blessings, but not as important as eternal life.
Is personified wisdom the Son or creational norms?
Steinmann wants to see wisdom in these verses as the Son. In favor of this is the idea that those who get wisdom get eternal life.
However, Proverbs 3:13–20 speaks not only of wisdom (which is personified in the book) but also of understanding and knowledge (which are not personified in Proverbs). Nor is wisdom personified in this passage, though this passage does have affinities with the passages in which wisdom is personified.
Furthermore, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge all have senses that have been established by previous usage in the book. God communicates them to humans through words (2:6). A person can have his own understanding and be wise in his own eyes (3:5, 7).
Wisdom is something the son is looking for and supposed to find. The preceding context is clear that it is a certain character, not a divine person that is being sought.
Thus, it is better to understand 3:19-20 as indicating that the creation was made by means of Yhwh’s wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. That being the case, Yhwh’s wisdom, understanding, and knowledge is baked into the created order. Personified wisdom in Proverbs refers to the created order, not to the Son.
This does not mean, however, that the Son is absent from these passages. He is the Creator who built wisdom into the creation. He is Son who is greater than Solomon in His wisdom.
How, then, does getting wisdom relate to eternal life and blessedness? I think “tree of life in the context of Proverbs” refers not to initial regeneration but to living as a person with new life. To find wisdom of to find the way God made his world to work, and that makes life run right. Living according to creational norms = living according to God’s law = eternal life. However, Proverbs, though closely connected to the Mosaic covenant is not a works covenant. Because the beginning of Wisdom is fear of the Lord (= faith) the entrance onto the path of wisdom is faith. The emphasis of Proverbs, however, is the walk on that path.
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