American Standard Version
Proverbs 17:16
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,Seeing he hath no understanding?
Proverbs 17:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
- New International Version (NIV)Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?
- English Standard Version (ESV)Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
Context of Proverbs 17:16
14The beginning of strife isas when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. 15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? 17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity. 18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:16 word by word
לָמָּה־זֶּ֣ה מְחִ֣יר בְּיַד־כְּסִ֑יל לִקְנ֖וֹת חָכְמָ֣ה וְלֶב־אָֽיִן׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:16
- Proverbs 1:22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:4Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of men.
- Proverbs 9:4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
- Isaiah 55:1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
- Acts 13:46And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
- Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
- Proverbs 18:15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
- Deuteronomy 5:29Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
- Psalms 81:11But my people hearkened not to my voice; And Israel would none of me.
- Hosea 4:11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the understanding.
- John 3:20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.
- Acts 28:26saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16More literally: Why is there a price in the hand of a fool? Is it to get wisdom when he has no heart for it? No money will avail without the understanding heart.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pr 3:16; 14:24).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries