Proverbs 15:16 kjv
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Proverbs 15:16 nkjv
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.
Proverbs 15:16 niv
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
Proverbs 15:16 esv
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
Proverbs 15:16 nlt
Better to have little, with fear for the LORD,
than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.
Proverbs 15 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge... | Fear of God, beginning of wisdom |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear of God, source of understanding |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Reverence for God, ultimate wisdom |
| Job 28:28 | And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom...' | Wisdom found in fearing the Lord |
| Prov 22:4 | The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. | Blessings of humility and piety |
| Prov 19:23 | The fear of the LORD leads to life... and gives lasting rest. | Fear of God brings life and peace |
| Prov 28:6 | Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity... than a rich man... | Integrity better than perverse riches |
| Prov 16:8 | Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. | Righteousness elevates small over large ill-gotten |
| Prov 30:8-9 | Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful. | Prayer for moderation, fearing extremes |
| Ecc 5:10-12 | He who loves money will not be satisfied... Sleep of a laborer is sweet. | Riches don't satisfy, bring worry |
| 1 Tim 6:6-10 | Godliness with contentment is great gain... love of money is a root of evil. | Contentment with godliness is wealth |
| Heb 13:5 | Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have. | Contentment without avarice |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... lay up treasures in heaven. | Eternal vs. earthly treasures |
| Luke 12:15 | Take care, and be on guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not.. | Life's value not in possessions |
| Luke 12:22-34 | Do not be anxious about your life... Consider the ravens... | Trust in God's provision over anxiety |
| Matt 6:33 | Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness... | Kingdom first, necessities follow |
| Mark 8:36-37 | For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? | Soul's worth greater than all wealth |
| Phil 4:11-13 | Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned to be content.. | Contentment in all circumstances |
| Jas 5:1-3 | Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. | Warning against reliance on corruptible wealth |
| Prov 23:4-5 | Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist... | Wisdom against obsessive wealth pursuit |
| Deut 8:3 | Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth.. | Spiritual nourishment is paramount |
| Hag 2:8 | The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of hosts. | God's sovereignty over all wealth |
| Ps 37:16 | Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. | Righteous little superior to wicked abundance |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 16 Meaning
Proverbs 15:16 declares that a modest amount of possessions accompanied by a deep reverence for God (the fear of the LORD) is inherently superior to vast material wealth that comes with internal turmoil, conflict, or anxiety. It prioritizes spiritual well-being and a righteous relationship with God as the true source of contentment and peace, transcending external circumstances and material accumulation.
Proverbs 15 16 Context
Proverbs 15:16 is situated within a collection of pithy, divinely inspired wisdom sayings that often employ antithetical parallelism to contrast righteous living with folly. Chapter 15 itself delves into various facets of life, including speech, humility, divine observation, and discipline, emphasizing how one's attitude and character, especially in relation to God, shape one's life. This specific proverb counters a prevailing worldly assumption, common in ancient societies and still today, that wealth guarantees happiness or security. It subtly argues against a common understanding where material prosperity was often equated with divine blessing or inherent superiority, positing instead that genuine peace and advantage lie in reverence for the Lord, regardless of material standing. It stands as a timeless challenge to the allure of material gain when weighed against spiritual integrity and peace.
Proverbs 15 16 Word analysis
Better (טוֹב - tov): This Hebrew word signifies "good," "preferable," or "excellent." It doesn't just suggest an acceptable alternative, but a superior and truly advantageous state. The proverb asserts an undeniable hierarchy of value.
is a little (מְעַט - m'at): Denotes a small quantity or amount, often implying limited possessions, resources, or even status. It underscores a modest or humble existence.
with (עִם - 'im): This preposition indicates accompaniment, suggesting that "the fear of the LORD" is present alongside or in the midst of the "little." It highlights the essential pairing that gives value to the smallness.
the fear of the LORD (יִרְאַת יְהוָה - yir'at YHWH): "Fear" here (יראה - yirah) is not terror, but profound awe, reverence, respect, and obedience toward God (YHWH). It encapsulates a comprehensive spiritual posture: acknowledging God's sovereignty, desiring to please Him, and departing from evil. It is the beginning of wisdom and the fountain of life in the Proverbs.
than (מֵ - me-): A comparative preposition, translating to "from" or "than," establishing a clear contrast and hierarchy between the two scenarios presented.
great treasure (אוֹצָר רָב - 'otzar rav): "Treasure" (אוצר - 'otzar) refers to a storehouse, abundance of wealth, or riches. "Great" (רב - rav) denotes large quantity, multitude, or abundance. Together, they depict vast material possessions, more than mere sustenance.
and trouble (וּמְהוּמָה - u-m'humah): "Trouble" (מהומה - m'humah) signifies commotion, disorder, disquiet, confusion, agitation, or even terror. It often suggests internal or external strife that disrupts peace and well-being. The "and" links this negative state directly to the "great treasure."
therewith (בּוֹ - bo): This suffix pronoun ("in it" or "with it") clearly connects the "trouble" to the "great treasure," implying that the unrest or chaos is inherent in, or often a consequence of, possessing extensive wealth apart from reverence for God.
Words-group analysis:
- "Better is a little with the fear of the LORD": This phrase encapsulates the spiritual wisdom that genuine value and contentment are found in godliness, not in material accumulation. The "little" becomes sufficient and brings peace when coupled with a right relationship with God.
- "than great treasure and trouble therewith": This phrase contrasts sharply by exposing the dark side of immense wealth. Without a godly foundation, great riches often lead to disquiet, anxiety, envy, conflict, or moral corruption, revealing their inability to bring true peace or satisfaction.
Proverbs 15 16 Bonus section
This proverb implicitly teaches that genuine blessedness is primarily spiritual, not material. It suggests that a deep, respectful relationship with the Almighty provides an internal state of peace and sufficiency that material wealth, in and of itself, cannot provide and, indeed, can often undermine. The "trouble" associated with great treasure without God could be myriad: the burden of management, the fear of loss, ethical compromises made in its acquisition or preservation, or simply the realization that it cannot buy happiness or satisfy the soul's deepest longing. The "fear of the LORD" is presented as the supreme value, capable of transforming even scarcity into contentment. It speaks to the futility of chasing material abundance as a source of peace if it is pursued at the expense of one's relationship with the Divine.
Proverbs 15 16 Commentary
Proverbs 15:16 is a foundational truth from divine wisdom, contrasting external fortune with internal peace derived from a relationship with God. It fundamentally challenges the world's metrics for success and well-being. A small estate or modest means, when coupled with the reverential "fear of the LORD"—a life lived in awe and obedience to God—brings a far superior quality of life than immense riches without this spiritual anchor. The "trouble therewith" refers to the anxieties of maintaining wealth, the temptations it brings, the disputes it causes, the envy it provokes, or the sheer emptiness it leaves in a soul detached from God. True peace, security, and richness are thus found not in what one owns, but in who one serves and fears.
Examples: A person with humble income who lives in quiet trust and worship of God experiences a serenity alien to a millionaire consumed by lawsuits, investments, and the insatiable desire for more, perpetually unsettled.