16 To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
Better `is' my fruit than gold, even fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver.
Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold. For better `is' wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.
Man hath not known its arrangement, Nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep hath said, `It `is' not in me,' And the sea hath said, `It is not with me.' Gold is not given for it, Nor is silver weighed -- its price. It is not valued with pure gold of Ophir, With precious onyx and sapphire, Not equal it do gold and crystal, Nor `is' its exchange a vessel of fine gold. Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom `is' above rubies. Not equal it doth the topaz of Cush, With pure gold it is not valued. And the wisdom -- whence doth it come? And where `is' this, the place of understanding? It hath been hid from the eyes of all living. And from the fowl of the heavens It hath been hidden. Destruction and death have said: `With our ears we have heard its fame.' God hath understood its way, And He hath known its place. For He to the ends of the earth doth look, Under the whole heavens He doth see, To make for the wind a weight, And the waters He meted out in measure. In His making for the rain a limit, And a way for the brightness of the voices, Then He hath seen and declareth it, He hath prepared it, and also searched it out, And He saith to man: -- `Lo, fear of the Lord, that `is' wisdom, And to turn from evil `is' understanding.'
Therefore I have loved Thy commands Above gold -- even fine gold.
Precious she `is' above rubies, And all thy pleasures are not comparable to her. Length of days `is' in her right hand, In her left `are' wealth and honour. Her ways `are' ways of pleasantness, And all her paths `are' peace. A tree of life she `is' to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her `is' happy.
For wisdom `is' a defense, money `is' a defence, And the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom `is', She reviveth her possessors.
for what is a man profited if he may gain the whole world, but of his life suffer loss? or what shall a man give as an 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.