God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 17:16
16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything?
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
14Starting a quarrel is ⌞like⌟ opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control. 15Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to the Lord. Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? 17A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble. 18A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. He guarantees a loan in the presence of 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 will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:4“I am calling to all of you, and my appeal is to all people.
- Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is gullible turn in here!” She says to a person without sense,
- Isaiah 55:1“Listen! Whoever is thirsty, come to the water! Whoever has no money can come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk. You don’t have to pay; it’s free!
- Acts 13:46Paul and Barnabas told them boldly, “We had to speak God’s word to you first. Since you reject the word and consider yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, we are now going to turn to people of other nations.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Since we are God’s coworkers, we urge you not to let God’s kindness be wasted on you.
- Proverbs 14:6A mocker searches for wisdom without finding it, but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.
- Proverbs 18:15The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:25The desire of a lazy person will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
- Deuteronomy 5:29If only they would fear me and obey all my commandments as long as they live! Then things would go well for them and their children forever.
- Psalms 81:11“But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me.
- Hosea 4:11Prostitutes, old wine, and new wine have robbed them of their senses.
- John 3:20People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed.
- Acts 28:26The Spirit said: ‘Go to these people and say, “You will hear clearly but never understand. You will see clearly but never comprehend.
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries