What does Proverbs 3:18 mean?

Wisdom has been poetically imagined as a woman several times in Proverbs (Proverbs 1:20; 3:14). Here, Solomon brings in another analogy: a tree of life. We read of "the" tree of life in Genesis 2:9, and the Bible's last mention of a tree of life happens in Revelation 22. In Revelation 22:14 the tree of life is available to those who are cleansed and are therefore believers. They are also called "blessed" in verse 14, and they are qualified to enter the New Jerusalem.

Here, those who find wisdom are also called "blessed." The tree of life speaks of longevity and fruitfulness, and certainly those who follow godly wisdom are blessed with a long life—eternal life—and a spiritually fruitful life. Jesus said, "Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you…Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit" (John 15:3, 5). Wisdom leads to faith in Jesus, cleansing from sin, and a productive spiritual life.