Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it? New Living Translation It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning. English Standard Version Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense? Berean Standard Bible Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? King James Bible Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? New King James Version Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? New American Standard Bible Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? NASB 1995 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? NASB 1977 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense? Legacy Standard Bible Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, When he has no heart of wisdom? Amplified Bible Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no common sense or even a heart for it? Christian Standard Bible Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? Holman Christian Standard Bible Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? American Standard Version Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? Contemporary English Version Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn? English Revised Version Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding? GOD'S WORD® Translation Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn't have a mind to grasp anything? Good News Translation It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense. International Standard Version What is this? A fool has enough money to buy wisdom, but is senseless? Majority Standard Bible Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? NET Bible Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom? New Heart English Bible Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding? Webster's Bible Translation Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? World English Bible Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhy [is] this—a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, "" And a heart—there is none? Young's Literal Translation Why is this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none? Smith's Literal Translation Wherefore this a price in the hand of the foolish one to obtain wisdom, and no heart? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhat doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils. Catholic Public Domain Version What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils. New American Bible Of what use is money in the hands of fools when they have no heart to acquire wisdom? New Revised Standard Version Why should fools have a price in hand to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat good is wealth in the possession of a fool who has no desire to acquire wisdom? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why does property go to a fool when he has no heart to possess wisdom? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool To buy wisdom, seeing he hath no understanding? Brenton Septuagint Translation Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness…15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD. 16Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom? 17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.… Cross References James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. Isaiah 55:1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ... Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. 2 Timothy 3:7 who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Proverbs 23:23 Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding. Romans 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Proverbs 3:13-15 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. Jeremiah 8:9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? Colossians 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Treasury of Scripture Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it? Proverbs 1:22,23 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? … Proverbs 8:4,5 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man… Proverbs 9:4-6 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, … seeing Proverbs 14:6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. Proverbs 21:25,26 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour… Jump to Previous Buy Desire Fool Foolish Hand Heart Mind Money Price Sense Understanding Use Wherefore WisdomJump to Next Buy Desire Fool Foolish Hand Heart Mind Money Price Sense Understanding Use Wherefore WisdomProverbs 17 1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the WickedWhy should the fool have money in his hand This phrase highlights the incongruity of a fool possessing resources. In biblical terms, a "fool" is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often ignoring God's commandments and living a life contrary to divine principles. The possession of money by a fool suggests a potential for misuse, as wealth in the hands of someone lacking discernment can lead to destructive outcomes. The Bible often contrasts the wise and the foolish, emphasizing that true wisdom is more valuable than material wealth (Proverbs 3:13-15). The imagery of money in hand suggests readiness or capability, yet without the necessary wisdom, it is futile. with no intention of buying wisdom? Persons / Places / Events 1. The FoolIn the context of Proverbs, the fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often characterized by a rejection of God’s ways and a preference for folly. 2. Wisdom A central theme in Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as a valuable treasure, often personified as a woman calling out to be embraced. It represents living in accordance with God’s will and understanding His truths. 3. Money Represents resources or means that could be used to acquire wisdom, but in the hands of a fool, it is squandered or misused. Teaching Points The Value of WisdomWisdom is more valuable than material wealth. It is essential to prioritize the pursuit of wisdom over the accumulation of riches. Misuse of Resources Having resources without the intention or ability to use them wisely is futile. We should seek to use our resources to grow in understanding and godliness. Intentional Pursuit of Wisdom Acquiring wisdom requires intentionality and effort. It is not enough to have the means; one must have the desire and commitment to seek wisdom. The Consequences of Folly Fools miss out on the benefits of wisdom because they do not value it. This leads to a life lacking direction and purpose. The Role of the Heart The heart's intention is crucial. A fool may have the means to gain wisdom but lacks the heart to pursue it. We must examine our hearts and align our desires with God’s will.(16) Wherefore is there a price . . .--He will still remain a fool, though he has paid high for instruction, if he has no capacity for taking it in.Verse 16. - Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom? A fool thinks that there is a royal road to wisdom, and that it, like other things, is to be purchased with reentry. Vulgate, Quid prodest stulto habere divitias, cum sapientiam emere non possit? The rabbis in later time were not allowed to take fees for teaching; but it was customary to make offerings to seers and wise men, when their services were engaged or their advice was asked (see the case of Saul and Samuel, 1 Samuel 9:7, 8). The last clause gives the reason why it is useless for a fool to try to learn wisdom even at a large expenditure on teachers. Seeing he hath no heart to it; i.e. no capability for receiving it; his mental digestion cannot assimilate it. The heart, as we have already noticed, is regarded as the seat of the understanding. Thus the LXX., "Why doth a fool have wealth? for a man without heart cannot acquire wisdom." In the Gospel Christ calls his disciples "fools and slow of heart to believe what the prophets had written, and himself opened their mind (τὸν νοῦν), that they might understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:25, 45). The Septuagint and Vulgate here introduce a distich derived from portions of vers. 19, 20, "He who raises his house high seeketh destruction; and he who perversely declineth from learning (ὁ δὲ σκολιάζων τοῦ μαθεῖν) shall fall into evils." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whyלָמָּה־ (lām·māh-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what should the fool כְּסִ֑יל (kə·sîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool have money מְחִ֣יר (mə·ḥîr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4242: Price, payment, wages in his hand בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand with no אָֽיִן׃ (’ā·yin) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle intention וְלֶב־ (wə·leḇ-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre of buying לִקְנ֖וֹת (liq·nō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own wisdom? חָכְמָ֣ה (ḥāḵ·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2451: Wisdom Links Proverbs 17:16 NIVProverbs 17:16 NLT Proverbs 17:16 ESV Proverbs 17:16 NASB Proverbs 17:16 KJV Proverbs 17:16 BibleApps.com Proverbs 17:16 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 17:16 Chinese Bible Proverbs 17:16 French Bible Proverbs 17:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:16 Why is there money in the hand (Prov. 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