English Standard Version
Proverbs 17:16
16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
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?
- 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?
- New Living Translation (NLT)It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
Context of Proverbs 17:16
14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. 15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security 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
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:16
- Proverbs 1:22"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:4"To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
- Proverbs 9:4"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,
- Isaiah 55:1"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
- Acts 13:46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
- Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
- Proverbs 18:15An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
- Deuteronomy 5:29Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!
- Psalms 81:11"But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.
- Hosea 4:11whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.
- John 3:20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
- Acts 28:26"'Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries