New King James Version
Proverbs 17:16
16Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
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 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 releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? 17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for 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, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
- Proverbs 8:4“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.
- Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
- Isaiah 55:1“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
- Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
- Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
- Proverbs 18:15The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
- Deuteronomy 5:29Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
- Psalms 81:11“But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me.
- Hosea 4:11“Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.
- John 3:20For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
- Acts 28:26saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will 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
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries