16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
My fruit is better than gold, even than the best gold; and my increase is more to be desired than silver.
Take my teaching, and not silver; get knowledge in place of the best gold. For wisdom is better than jewels, and all things which may be desired are nothing in comparison with her.
Man has not seen the way to it, and it is not in the land of the living. The deep waters say, It is not in me: and the sea says, It is not with me. Gold may not be given for it, or a weight of silver in payment for it. It may not be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the onyx of great price, or the sapphire. Gold and glass are not equal to it in price, and it may not be exchanged for jewels of the best gold. There is no need to say anything about coral or crystal; and the value of wisdom is greater than that of pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia is not equal to it, and it may not be valued with the best gold. From where then does wisdom come, and where is the resting-place of knowledge? For it is kept secret from the eyes of all living, unseen by the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say, We have only had word of it with our ears. God has knowledge of the way to it, and of its resting-place; For his eyes go to the ends of the earth, and he sees everything under heaven. When he made a weight for the wind, measuring out the waters; When he made a law for the rain, and a way for the thunder-flames; Then he saw it, and put it on record; he gave it its fixed form, searching it out completely. And he said to man, Truly the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to keep from evil is the way to knowledge.
For this reason I have greater love far your teachings than for gold, even for shining gold.
She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her. Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour. Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace. She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.
Wisdom keeps a man from danger even as money does; but the value of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to its owner.
For what profit has a man, if he gets all the world with the loss of his life? or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 16
Commentary on Proverbs 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 16
Pr 16:1-33.
1. preparations—schemes.
in man—or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer … Lord—The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."
2. clean—or, "faultless."
weigheth—or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pr 21:2; 24:12).
3. (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.
4. for himself—"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Ps 49:5; Jer 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.
5. (Compare Pr 3:32).
6. By mercy and truth—that is, God's (Ps 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged—expiated (as in Le 16:33; Isa 27:9, Hebrew).
7. Persecutions, of course, excepted.
8. (Compare Pr 15:6, 16, 17).
9. (Compare Pr 16:3).
directeth—establisheth.
10. The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.
11. are the Lord's … his work—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.
12. Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.
13. A specification of the general sentiment of Pr 16:12.
14. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.
15. light of … countenance—favor (Ps 4:6).
life—preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain—fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (De 11:14).
16. (Compare Pr 3:16; 4:5).
17. The highway—A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth—observes.
18, 19. (Compare Pr 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall—literally, "sliding."
19. divide the spoil—that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud (Jas 4:6).
20. handleth a matter—wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pr 13:13).
trusteth—(Compare Ps 2:12; 118:8, 9).
21. wise in heart—who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
22. Understanding—or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pr 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.
23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.
24. (Compare Pr 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.
25. (Compare Pr 14:2).
26. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.
27. ungodly man—(Compare Pr 6:12).
diggeth up evil—labors for it.
in his lips … fire—His words are calumniating (Jas 3:6).
28. (Compare Pr 6:14; 10:31).
whisperer—prater, talebearer (Pr 18:8; 26:20).
29. violent man—or, "man of mischief" (Pr 3:31).
enticeth—(Pr 1:10).
30. He shutteth his eyes—denoting deep thought (Ps 64:6).
moving his lips—or, "biting his lips"—a determined purpose (Pr 6:13).
31. (Compare Pr 20:29).
if—or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Pr 3:16; 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.
32. (Compare Pr 14:29).
taketh a city—that is, by fighting.
33. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.