Proverbs 17:16

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 contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement. 15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah. To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense? 17The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

Proverbs 17:16 word by word

לָמָּה־זֶּ֣ה מְחִ֣יר בְּיַד־כְּסִ֑יל לִקְנ֖וֹת חָכְמָ֣ה וְלֶב־אָֽיִן׃Read the interlinear

• priceמְחִירmechîyr · priceH4242
• handיָדyâd · handH3027
• foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:16

• Proverbs 1:22How long, simple ones, will ye love simpleness, and scorners take pleasure in their scorning, and the foolish hate knowledge?
• Proverbs 8:4Unto you, men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man:
• Proverbs 9:4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,
• 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 spoke boldly and said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken to you; but, since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the nations;
• 2 Corinthians 6:1But [as] fellow-workmen, we also beseech that ye receive not the grace of God in vain:
• Proverbs 14:6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none [for him]; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.
• Proverbs 18:15The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
• Proverbs 21:25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
• Deuteronomy 5:29Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments continually, that it might be well with them and with their sons for ever!
• Psalms 81:11But my people hearkened not to my voice, and Israel would none of me.
• Hosea 4:11Fornication, and wine, and new wine take away the heart.
• John 3:20For every one that does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light that his works may not be shewn as they are;
• Acts 28:26saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear and not understand, and seeing ye shall see and not 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

• Blindness

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Fool; Folly
• Get; Getting
• Proverb

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