Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 17:16
16Of what use is money in the hand of a fool since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom?
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 King James Version (NKJV)Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
Context of Proverbs 17:16
14The beginning of strife is like letting out water— so stop a quarrel before it breaks out. 15Acquitting the wicked and condemning the righteous: both are an abomination to Adonai. Of what use is money in the hand of a fool since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18A man lacking judgment shakes hands on a deal and puts up financial security for his neighbor.
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 will you naïve ones love simplicity, you scoffers delight in scoffing, and you fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:4“To you, O men, I call out! My cry is to all mankind!
- Proverbs 9:4“Whoever is naïve, turn in here!” To those who lack understanding, she says:
- Isaiah 55:1“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the water, and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
- Acts 13:46Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary for the word of God to be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unfit for eternal life—behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1Since we are co-laboring, we also urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
- Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none, but knowledge is easy to the discerning.
- Proverbs 18:15A discerning heart gains knowledge, the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- Proverbs 21:25A slacker’s craving will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.
- Deuteronomy 5:29“So you must take care to do as Adonai your God has commanded you—do not turn aside to the right or to the left.
- Psalms 81:11I am Adonai your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
- Hosea 4:11Prostitution and wine—even new wine— it takes away understanding.
- John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.
- Acts 28:26saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing but will never understand; you will keep looking, but will never see.
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
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
Commentaries