Proverbs 16:16

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 16:16

v. 16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! its value being so immeasurably greater, and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! If a person should gain the wealth of the whole world, such an acquisition could not compare with that of true wisdom. read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Proverbs 16:1-33

2. Admonition to a walk in the fear of God and obedienceProverbs 16:1 to Proverbs 22:16α) Admonition to trust in God as the wise Ruler and Governor of the worldChap. 161 Man’s are the counsels of the heart,but the answer of the tongue is Jehovah’s.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.3 Commit thy works to Jehovah,so will thy plans be established.4 Jehovah hath made every thing for its end,even the wicked for the day of... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

Verse Proverbs 16:1. A somewhat obscure proverb which recognizes that man has to exercise his own reason in making his plans, but that he is dependent on the Lord for the answer of the tongue. Dr. Perowne's interpretation is most likely the correct one. He says: "The implied moral of the proverb is, If we cannot do the less without God, do not attempt to do the greater without Him." Verse Proverbs 16:4. This is simply the affirmation of the fact that in the orderliness of the divine economy... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

Proverbs Of Solomon Part 2 (Proverbs 15:22 to Proverbs 22:16 ). At this point there is a sudden switch from proverbs which contrast one thing with another, which have been predominant since Proverbs 10:1, to proverbs where the second clause adds something to the first. Whilst we still find some contrasting proverbs, especially at the beginning, they are not so common. This may suggest a deliberate intention by Solomon to separate his proverbs into two parts. Furthermore such a change at this... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:16-21

Wisdom Is To Be Sought And Pride Must Be Avoided By The One Who Would Walk In The Right Way With Trust In YHWH (Proverbs 16:16-21 ). In this subsection the envelopes of wisdom (Proverbs 16:16) - pride (Proverbs 16:18) - pride (Proverbs 16:19) - wisdom (Proverbs 16:21) surround the call to the reader to walk in the way of the upright and guard his way (Proverbs 16:17) and to give heed to the word and to trust in YHWH (Proverbs 16:20). The subsection is presented chiastically as follows: A ... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

Proverbs 16. The special feature is a group of aphorisms ( Proverbs 16:10-Ezra :) relating to kings. The sentiments seem rather to reflect the picture of the ideal king than to indicate any particular period. The metaphors employed and the character depicted suggest a parallel with the ideal king of Psalms 72. Proverbs 16:4 . The lit. rendering of Proverbs 16:4 a is “ Yahweh has made every work for its answer”— i.e. the nexus of cause and effect seen in the moral government of the world is... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 16:16

How much better! it is inexpressibly and unconceivably better, as this phrase implies, Psalms 31:19; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 92:5, &c. Is it to get wisdom than gold, because it brings a man more certain, and complete, and lasting comfort and advantage. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Proverbs 16:10-16

CRITICAL NOTES.—Proverbs 16:10. A Divine sentence, literally “divination,” i.e., “an oracle” or “a decision.” “His mouth transgresseth not.” Stuart and Delitzsch read, “In judgment his mouth should not prevaricate, or err.” Proverbs 16:11. A just weight, literally “the scale” “the upright iron in scales which the weigher holds in his hand” (Fausset). Weights, literally “stones” which were anciently used as weights. Proverbs 16:13. “They love him,” etc., rather “he who speaketh right, or... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:16

Proverbs 16:16 I. Better than gold! But gold is good, very good, and he who would put forward with success the far higher worth of wisdom had better not begin his argument by putting too low an estimate on gold. Gold is full of service; has in it wondrous potencies for smoothing life-travel, lightening burdens, cheering the poor, helping the needy, and glorifying God. Yet before all its power and glitter and glory I stand up and say, "How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!" II. Both... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

Shall we turn now to Proverbs 16:1-33 , the sixteenth chapter and begin our study this evening.The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD ( Proverbs 16:1 ).God works in our lives even when we're not aware of it. If we're a child of God, God is continually working in our lives. It's amazing how many times we say things that we don't realize that at the time we are saying it, but actually it's a word from the Lord. It just comes up. God prepares your... read more