Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

PROVERBS 3:9KJV
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Proverbs 3:9 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 3:9 mean?

Proverbs 3:9 teaches that people should show respect and reverence for the LORD by giving from their possessions, especially offering the best and first part of what they gain or produce. The verse highlights honoring God not just in words, but through tangible acts of generosity with one’s resources.

In Proverbs, a father is instructing his child on how to live wisely and faithfully. Here, the advice is practical: honor the LORD (the personal name for God in Israel) by giving from your “substance” (your wealth or possessions) and the “firstfruits” (the earliest and best portion) of all your “increase” (what you earn or harvest). This reflects a cultural practice where the first and best of the harvest was given to God as a sign of trust and gratitude.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 3:9

  • “Honour” (כָּבֵד, kavēd): This word means to give weight or value to something. In this context, it means to treat the LORD as truly important by giving Him priority in your resources.
  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God, emphasizing a relationship rather than just a title.
  • “Substance” (הוֹן, hon): This word refers to wealth, possessions, or material goods. The verse is about honoring God with what you actually own or earn.
  • “Firstfruits” (רֵאשִׁית, rē’shīt): This word means the first and best part of a harvest or income. In ancient Israel, giving the firstfruits was a way of showing trust that God would continue to provide.
  • “Increase” (תְּבוּאָה, tevu’ah): This refers to the results of your work—what you produce, earn, or harvest.

Why Proverbs 3:9 matters

  • Proverbs 3:9 clarifies that honoring God is not just a feeling or belief, but something shown through concrete actions with one’s resources.
  • The verse emphasizes giving the “firstfruits,” which shows that God is to be given priority, not just leftovers or what is convenient.
  • This instruction fits into the larger context of Proverbs 3, which is about trusting God in every area of life, including finances and daily work.

Where else these words appear

“substance” Hebrew H1952 · used in 26 verses

  • Psalms 44:12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
  • Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
  • Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

“increase” Hebrew H8393 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 47:24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones.
  • Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
  • Proverbs 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

“firstfruits” Hebrew H7225 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Deuteronomy 33:21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

“Honour” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
  • Proverbs 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.