Proverbs 17:16
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 Version
Why [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 Bible
What 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 Bible
What 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 1917
Wherefore 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…

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Proverbs 17
1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked














Why should the fool
The term "fool" in Hebrew is "כְּסִיל" (kesil), which often refers to someone who is morally deficient rather than intellectually lacking. In the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who rejects God's wisdom and guidance. The rhetorical question "Why should the fool" suggests a sense of incredulity or disbelief. It implies that there is an inherent contradiction in a fool possessing something valuable, as they lack the discernment to use it wisely. This sets the stage for a discussion on the misuse of resources by those who do not seek wisdom.

have money in his hand
The phrase "money in his hand" symbolizes potential and opportunity. In ancient times, having money or wealth was often seen as a blessing and a means to achieve one's goals. However, the possession of money alone does not guarantee success or fulfillment. The imagery of money in the hand suggests readiness and capability, yet it is juxtaposed with the fool's lack of purpose. This highlights the futility of having resources without the wisdom to use them effectively.

with no intention
The phrase "with no intention" speaks to the heart and motivation of the individual. Intention, or the lack thereof, is crucial in the pursuit of wisdom. In the Hebrew context, intention is closely tied to the heart, which is the seat of will and desire. The absence of intention indicates a lack of purpose or direction, which is a hallmark of foolishness. This phrase challenges the reader to examine their own intentions and the alignment of their resources with their pursuit of wisdom.

of buying wisdom
"Buying wisdom" is a metaphorical expression that underscores the value and cost of wisdom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was often associated with practical skills, moral insight, and spiritual understanding. The idea of "buying" suggests that wisdom requires investment, whether it be time, effort, or resources. However, the fool's lack of intention to acquire wisdom renders their resources useless. This phrase serves as a reminder that true wisdom is not merely a transaction but a lifelong pursuit that requires dedication and a heart aligned with God's principles.

(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
Why
לָמָּה־ (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


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:16 Why is there money in the hand (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 17:15
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