Proverbs 16:16

Proverbs 16:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
• New International Version (NIV)How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
• English Standard Version (ESV)How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
• New King James Version (NKJV)How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Context of Proverbs 16:16

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. 15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! 17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. 18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Proverbs 16:16 word by word

קְֽנֹה־חָכְמָ֗ה מַה־טּ֥וֹב מֵחָר֑וּץ וּקְנ֥וֹת בִּ֝ינָ֗ה נִבְחָ֥ר מִכָּֽסֶף׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• How much betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• to getקָנָהqânâh · to buyH7069
• wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• than goldחָרוּץchârûts chârûts · goldH2742
• understandingבִּינָהbîynâh · understandingH998
• rather to be chosenבָּחַרbâchar · to chooseH977
• than silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:16

• Proverbs 3:15Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
• Proverbs 4:7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
• Proverbs 8:10Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
• Job 28:13No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.
• Psalms 119:127Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.
• Ecclesiastes 7:12Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.
• Matthew 16:26And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
• Luke 12:21“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16How much better - to get wisdom than gold? - Who believes this, though spoken by the wisest of men, under Divine inspiration?Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Having wisdom and good judgment can lead to wealth, but money cannot buy wisdom.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 3:16; 4:5).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:16

• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Gold
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Silver

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