Proverbs 16:22

Proverbs 16:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
• New International Version (NIV)Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

Context of Proverbs 16:22

20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy. 21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. 23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:22 word by word

מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים שֵׂ֣כֶל בְּעָלָ֑יו וּמוּסַ֖ר אֱוִלִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Understandingשֵׂ֫כֶלώekel ώêkel · understandingH7922
• a wellspringמָקוֹרmâqôr mâqôr · fountainH4726
• of lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
• unto him that hathבַּעַלba‛al · master: owningH1167
• it: but the instructionמוּסָרmûsâr · disciplineH4148
• of foolsאֱוִיל'ĕvîyl · fool(ish)H191
• follyאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:22

• Proverbs 10:11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
• Proverbs 13:14A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.
• Proverbs 14:27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.
• Proverbs 18:4The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
• John 5:24“Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
• John 6:63The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.
• Matthew 15:14Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
• Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever takes an oath by the temple, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the temple is bound by his oath.’
• Luke 6:39He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Understanding is a well-spring of life - חיים מקור mekor chaiyim ; another allusion to the artery that carries the blood from the heart to distribute it to all the extremities of the body.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22Wellspring of life - Compare Proverbs 10:11 note. “the instruction of fools” Not that which they give, but that which they receive. Compare Proverbs 14:24. “Folly” is its own all-sufficient punishment.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22Verse 22 As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pr 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:22

• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Fool; Folly
• Gold
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• 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
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings