Proverbs 16:16 kjv
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 16:16 nkjv
How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:16 niv
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
Proverbs 16:16 esv
How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Proverbs 16:16 nlt
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
and good judgment than silver!
Proverbs 16 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:13 | Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. | Wisdom brings blessing. |
| Prov 3:14 | For wisdom is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. | Direct parallel, explicitly stating profitability. |
| Prov 8:10 | Choose my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. | Direct call to choose wisdom over riches. |
| Prov 8:11 | For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. | Wisdom's surpassing value over all desires. |
| Prov 2:4 | if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, | Wisdom requires diligent searching like treasure. |
| Prov 4:7 | The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. | Wisdom is the principal thing, worth any cost. |
| Matt 6:19 | “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy..." | Earthly treasures are perishable. |
| Matt 6:20 | "...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy..." | Heavenly treasures (including wisdom) endure. |
| Matt 6:21 | For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. | Your heart follows your true value. |
| Phil 3:7 | But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. | Valuing Christ (ultimate wisdom) above worldly gain. |
| Phil 3:8 | What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. | The ultimate knowing (wisdom) surpasses all. |
| Ps 19:10 | They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey. | God's word (source of wisdom) is more precious. |
| Eccl 7:12 | Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. | Wisdom offers life-preservation, unlike wealth. |
| Job 28:15 | Gold cannot buy it, nor can silver be weighed in exchange for it. | Wisdom is priceless. |
| Job 28:16 | It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. | Wisdom is beyond monetary value. |
| Job 28:17 | Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of gold. | Reinforces wisdom's incomparable worth. |
| Job 28:18 | Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. | Wisdom's price is incomparable. |
| Job 28:19 | The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. | Ultimate pricelessness of wisdom. |
| Luke 12:15 | Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed..." | Warning against avarice and material focus. |
| Luke 12:20 | “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you...’" | Material wealth cannot save in death. |
| 1 Tim 6:6 | But godliness with contentment is great gain. | Godliness (aligned with wisdom) is true wealth. |
| 1 Tim 6:7 | For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. | Earthly possessions are temporary. |
| 1 Tim 6:9 | Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap... | Dangers of desiring riches. |
| Col 2:3 | in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Christ is the ultimate source of wisdom. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all... | Wisdom is God-given to those who ask. |
Proverbs 16 verses
Proverbs 16 16 Meaning
Proverbs 16:16 profoundly asserts that acquiring wisdom and understanding holds infinitely greater value than gaining material wealth like gold or silver. It highlights a core principle of biblical living: spiritual and intellectual assets, particularly those derived from God, far surpass any earthly treasures in terms of their true worth, enduring benefit, and ability to lead to a flourishing life. This verse serves as a declaration of priorities, positioning divine wisdom as the most desirable possession.
Proverbs 16 16 Context
Proverbs 16, a collection of Solomonic proverbs, frequently highlights themes of divine sovereignty, the path of the righteous versus the wicked, and the inherent value of godly wisdom. The preceding verses (16:1-9) establish that while humans plan, the Lord directs their steps and weighs their motives. Verse 16:16 serves as a climactic statement within this chapter, shifting focus from external actions and divine oversight to the internal cultivation of wisdom as the paramount pursuit. It is embedded within a broader "better than" (ט֫וֹב מִן, tov min) literary motif found throughout Proverbs, consistently elevating virtues like wisdom, righteousness, and quietness above material possessions, fleeting pleasures, or contentious strife. This verse stands in stark contrast to the ancient Near Eastern emphasis on accumulating gold, silver, and other precious commodities as the ultimate measure of success, declaring a divine counter-priority that spiritual understanding outweighs all earthly forms of wealth.
Proverbs 16 16 Word analysis
How much better (מַה טּוֹב - mah tov): An emphatic interrogative and adjective meaning "what is good/better" or "how good." It implies an incomparably higher value, not just slightly better, but vastly superior, underscoring the qualitative difference.
to get (קָנָה - qanah): Literally "to acquire," "to buy," or "to possess." This word suggests intentional effort in obtaining something, mirroring the effort one might put into acquiring wealth. However, in the context of wisdom, it also implies receiving from God.
wisdom (חָכְמָה - chokhmah): In biblical terms, chokhmah is not merely intellectual knowledge but primarily practical discernment, skill in living, insight into God's moral order, and the ability to apply truth effectively in everyday life. It often encompasses moral integrity and reverence for God.
than gold (מִזָּהָב - miz'zahav): Zahav refers to gold, the most prized metal and symbol of ultimate wealth in ancient cultures. The preposition "than" emphasizes the comparative superiority.
And to get (וּקְנוֹת - uqrnōth): "And to acquire," paralleling qanah again, emphasizing the deliberate act of obtaining. The repetition strengthens the comparison.
understanding (בִּינָה - binah): Closely related to chokhmah, binah signifies discernment, insight, the ability to comprehend, differentiate, and draw conclusions. It is the capacity to grasp underlying principles and apply wisdom in specific situations. It moves beyond mere facts to the interpretation of them.
is to be chosen (נִבְחָר - nivḥar): From the root bachar, meaning "to choose," "to prefer," "to select." This passive form indicates that understanding is the preferred or select choice, underscoring its inherent desirability and superior merit.
rather than silver (מִכֶּסֶף - mik'kesef): Kesef refers to silver, the second most valuable metal, often used as currency. Its inclusion reinforces the breadth of the comparison: not just the most valuable, but all material wealth pales in comparison.
"How much better to get wisdom than gold!": This phrase immediately establishes the hyperbolic value of wisdom. It challenges the common human inclination to prioritize material gain, setting a radically different standard for success and value. It positions wisdom as an ultimate, non-negotiable pursuit.
"And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.": This uses synonymous parallelism to reinforce the initial statement. Chokhmah and binah are linked aspects of divine insight. The dual comparison to both gold and silver amplifies the absolute superiority of wisdom over all forms of material wealth, leaving no doubt about the hierarchy of values.
Proverbs 16 16 Bonus section
The "better than" sayings (tov min) are a distinctive literary feature within Proverbs, appearing over 50 times. These comparisons are never subtle; they consistently elevate moral, spiritual, or relational virtues over material or carnal gains. Proverbs 16:16 is one of the clearest and most forceful expressions of this theme, challenging an innate human tendency to value tangible assets above intangible virtues. This verse also implicitly carries a polemic against the worldview prevalent in ancient societies, including Israel's neighbors, which equated prosperity with divine favor and often measured success solely by wealth. The proverb redirects this focus, asserting that genuine divine favor is manifested through the gift and acquisition of wisdom, which then becomes the wellspring of true, enduring blessedness, distinct from mere riches.
Proverbs 16 16 Commentary
Proverbs 16:16 distills a central tenet of biblical wisdom literature: the preeminent value of godly wisdom over any earthly treasure. It is not an anti-wealth statement, but rather a profound reorientation of priorities. Material possessions, represented by gold and silver, are finite, temporal, and subject to loss, theft, or decay. Wisdom, on the other hand, particularly that which is rooted in the fear of the Lord, is eternal, provides lasting security, guides ethical living, and empowers individuals to navigate life's complexities successfully. This verse encourages a deliberate pursuit of understanding, emphasizing that the effort expended in acquiring spiritual discernment yields far greater and more enduring dividends than the pursuit of financial prosperity alone. True wisdom bestows insight into God's will, promotes righteousness, leads to true contentment, and ultimately brings spiritual riches that transcend anything money can buy. For believers, wisdom finds its ultimate personification in Jesus Christ, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3).