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 King James Version (NKJV)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble.

Context of Proverbs 15:16

14A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. 15For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. 17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. 18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

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 to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.
• Proverbs 28:6Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
• Psalms 37:16It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.
• 1 Timothy 6:6Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
• Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
• Ecclesiastes 2:10Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.
• Ecclesiastes 5:10Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

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