Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 17:16
16Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
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
14To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out. 15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just — both are detestable to the Lord. Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time. 18One without sense enters an agreement and puts up security for his friend.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:16 word by word
לָמָּה־זֶּ֣ה מְחִ֣יר בְּיַד־כְּסִ֑יל לִקְנ֖וֹת חָכְמָ֣ה וְלֶב־אָֽיִן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:16
- Proverbs 1:22“How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:4“People, I call out to you; my cry is to the children of Adam.
- Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says,
- Isaiah 55:1“Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the water; and you without silver, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without cost!
- Acts 13:46Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Working together with him, we also appeal to you, “Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.”
- Proverbs 14:6A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.
- Proverbs 18:15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.
- Proverbs 21:25A slacker’s craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
- Deuteronomy 5:29If only they had such a heart to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that they and their children would prosper forever.
- Psalms 81:11“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me.
- Hosea 4:11Promiscuity, wine, and new wine take away one’s understanding.
- John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
- Acts 28:26when he said, Go to these people and say: You will always be listening, but never understanding; and you will always be looking, but never perceiving.
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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries