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

20Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord. 21The person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn. Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity. 23A wise person’s heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn. 24Pleasant words are ⌞like⌟ honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the spirit and healthy for 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 a righteous person is a fountain of life, but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence.
• Proverbs 13:14The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life to turn ⌞one⌟ away from the grasp of death.
• Proverbs 14:27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to turn ⌞one⌟ away from the grasp of death.
• Proverbs 18:4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
• John 5:24I can guarantee this truth: Those who listen to what I say and believe in the one who sent me will have eternal life. They won’t be judged because they have already passed from death to life.
• John 6:63Life is spiritual. Your physical existence doesn’t contribute to that life. The words that I have spoken to you are spiritual. They are life.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongues of wise people give good expression to knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out a flood of stupidity.
• Matthew 15:14Leave them alone! They are blind leaders. When one blind person leads another, both will fall into the same pit.”
• Matthew 23:16“How horrible it will be for you, you blind guides! You say, ‘To swear an oath by the temple doesn’t mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gold in the temple means a person must keep his oath.’
• Luke 6:39Jesus also gave them this illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t both fall into the same 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