Proverbs 15:16

Proverbs 15:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
• New International Version (NIV)Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.

Context of Proverbs 15:16

14A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil. 17Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.

Proverbs 15:16 word by word

טוֹב־מְ֭עַט בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה מֵאוֹצָ֥ר רָ֝֗ב וּמְה֥וּמָה בֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• littleמְעַטme‛aţ me‛âţ · littleH4592
• with the fearיִרְאָהyir'âh · fearH3374
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• than greatרַבrab · manyH7227
• treasureאוֹצָר'ôtsâr · treasureH214
• and troubleמְהוּמָהmehûmâh · tumultH4103

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:16

• Proverbs 16:8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
• Proverbs 28:6Better the poor person who lives with integrity than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.
• Psalms 37:16The little that the righteous person has is better than the abundance of many wicked people.
• 1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
• Proverbs 10:22The Lord’s blessing enriches, and he adds no painful effort to it.
• Ecclesiastes 2:10All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.
• Ecclesiastes 5:10The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Better is little with the fear of the Lord - Because where the fear of God is, there are moderation and contentment of spirit.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16This proverb has its completion in the teaching of Matthew 6:33.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-17Verses 16-17 Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16A respectful fear of the Lord calms inner turmoil and brings peace. Better a little: See also Proverbs 16:8.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:16

• Fear of God
• Poverty
• Riches

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings