Proverbs 16:22

Proverbs 16:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
• New International Version (NIV)Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

Context of Proverbs 16:22

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in Yhwh, happy is he. 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:22 word by word

מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים שֵׂ֣כֶל בְּעָלָ֑יו וּמוּסַ֖ר אֱוִלִ֣ים אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

• Understandingשֵׂ֫כֶלώekel ώêkel · understandingH7922
• a wellspringמָקוֹרmâqôr mâqôr · fountainH4726
• of lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
• unto him that hathבַּעַלba‛al · master: owningH1167
• it: but the instructionמוּסָרmûsâr · disciplineH4148
• of foolsאֱוִיל'ĕvîyl · fool(ish)H191
• follyאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:22

• Proverbs 10:11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
• Proverbs 13:14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
• Proverbs 14:27The fear of Yhwh is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
• Proverbs 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
• John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
• John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
• Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
• Matthew 23:16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
• Luke 6:39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Understanding is a well-spring of life - חיים מקור mekor chaiyim ; another allusion to the artery that carries the blood from the heart to distribute it to all the extremities of the body.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22Wellspring of life - Compare Proverbs 10:11 note. “the instruction of fools” Not that which they give, but that which they receive. Compare Proverbs 14:24. “Folly” is its own all-sufficient punishment.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22Verse 22 As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pr 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:22

• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Fool; Folly
• Gold
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

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