Proverbs 15:16

Proverbs 15:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
• New International Version (NIV)Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

Context of Proverbs 15:16

14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. 17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. 18A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

Proverbs 15:16 word by word

טוֹב־מְ֭עַט בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה מֵאוֹצָ֥ר רָ֝֗ב וּמְה֥וּמָה בֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• littleמְעַטme‛aţ me‛âţ · littleH4592
• with the fearיִרְאָהyir'âh · fearH3374
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• than greatרַבrab · manyH7227
• treasureאוֹצָר'ôtsâr · treasureH214
• and troubleמְהוּמָהmehûmâh · tumultH4103

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:16

• Proverbs 16:8Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
• Proverbs 28:6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
• Psalms 37:16A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.
• 1 Timothy 6:6Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
• Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.
• Ecclesiastes 2:10Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
• Ecclesiastes 5:10He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Better is little with the fear of the Lord - Because where the fear of God is, there are moderation and contentment of spirit.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16This proverb has its completion in the teaching of Matthew 6:33.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-17Verses 16-17 Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see little; the Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16A respectful fear of the Lord calms inner turmoil and brings peace. Better a little: See also Proverbs 16:8.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:16

• Fear of God
• Poverty
• Riches

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings