Proverbs 16:22 kjv
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
Proverbs 16:22 nkjv
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.
Proverbs 16:22 niv
Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
Proverbs 16:22 esv
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
Proverbs 16:22 nlt
Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
but discipline is wasted on fools.
Proverbs 16 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:18 | She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast are blessed. | Wisdom is life-giving. |
| Prov 4:22 | for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. | Wisdom/Instruction brings health and life. |
| Prov 8:35 | For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. | Finding wisdom equals finding life and favor. |
| Prov 13:14 | The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. | Wise instruction as a source of life. |
| Psa 36:9 | For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. | God as the ultimate source of life. |
| Jer 2:13 | For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and dug cisterns for themselves… | Rejecting God, the true fountain, for broken cisterns. |
| John 1:4 | In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. | Christ as the source of life. |
| John 14:6 | Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life..." | Jesus is the very essence of life. |
| Prov 10:8 | The wise in heart accept commands, but a babbling fool comes to ruin. | Wise follow commands; fools are ruined. |
| Prov 10:23 | A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. | Folly brings destructive actions. |
| Prov 14:1 | The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. | Folly leads to self-destruction. |
| Prov 14:18 | The simple inherit foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. | Folly is inherited by simple; wise get knowledge. |
| Prov 15:21 | Folly is joy to one who has no sense, but a person of understanding walks straight. | Folly is the fool's delight, but leads astray. |
| Prov 19:3 | A person’s own folly subverts his way, and then his heart rages against the LORD. | Self-inflicted ruin from folly. |
| Prov 22:3 | The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. | Prudent avoids trouble, foolish face consequences. |
| Rom 1:21-22 | For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him… Professing to be wise, they became fools. | Humanity's rejection of God leading to folly. |
| Eph 4:17-19 | So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding… | Folly is linked to darkened understanding and futile thinking. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. | The Lord is the source of all true wisdom. |
| James 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault… | God freely gives wisdom to those who ask. |
| James 3:17 | But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. | Heavenly wisdom is contrasted with earthly folly. |
| Matt 7:26-27 | But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand… | Folly is hearing truth but not acting on it, leading to ruin. |
| Psa 14:1 | The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." | The foundational foolishness of denying God. |
| Prov 26:11 | As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. | Folly is a cycle of repetitive harmful choices. |
| Isa 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! | Folly perverts truth and moral distinctions. |
| Luke 12:20 | But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.’ | Folly often means unpreparedness for eternal judgment. |
Proverbs 16 verses
Proverbs 16 22 Meaning
Proverbs 16:22 reveals a foundational truth concerning the intrinsic value of wisdom and the destructive nature of foolishness. It posits that deep understanding acts as an ever-flowing spring of vitality, leading to flourishing and well-being for those who possess it. Conversely, the very essence of foolishness inevitably brings about its own harsh consequences or corrective experiences upon those who embody it, leading them to their deserved plight. This proverb starkly contrasts the life-giving nature of discerning wisdom with the self-inflicted discipline brought by moral and intellectual folly.
Proverbs 16 22 Context
Proverbs 16 falls within the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), which predominantly features antithetical parallelism—two contrasting lines expressing opposing ideas. This chapter particularly emphasizes the sovereignty of God over human plans (e.g., v. 1, 9, 33), the importance of righteousness and integrity, and the sharp contrast between wisdom and foolishness. Proverbs 16:22 encapsulates these themes by highlighting the inherent outcomes of wisdom versus folly. Historically, these proverbs served as practical instructions for the youth and adults of Israel, guiding them towards a life that honors God and leads to flourishing within their society, contrasting with the often hedonistic and superficial wisdom traditions of surrounding pagan cultures where "knowledge" might not be tied to moral righteousness or divine fear. The "fountain of life" imagery, though common in ancient Near Eastern thought, is uniquely tied here to God-given understanding, implying that true life flows from God's wisdom, not from human ingenuity or idolatrous practices.
Proverbs 16 22 Word analysis
- Understanding (תְּבוּנָה, tĕbūnâ): This term denotes a deeper discernment, insight, and the ability to grasp the inner meaning of things. It's more than mere knowledge; it's the capacity to interpret and apply truth effectively, often implying practical wisdom. It stems from recognizing patterns and relationships, particularly concerning God's ways.
- is a fountain (מְקוֹר, mĕqôr): This word signifies a spring, source, or wellspring. The imagery evokes something continually flowing, fresh, and life-sustaining. It’s not a stagnant pool but an abundant, enduring supply.
- of life (חַיִּים, ḥayyîm): This refers to a comprehensive, holistic well-being, encompassing vitality, spiritual health, flourishing, prosperity, and indeed, eternal life. It’s life in its fullest sense, often associated with God’s presence and blessing.
- to one who has it: This phrase indicates possession and internalization. It suggests active acquisition, careful retention, and consistent application of understanding. It's a personal appropriation of wisdom that yields its benefits.
- but folly (אִוֶּלֶת, ʾiwwælet): This denotes senselessness, idiocy, and perverse foolishness. It's not just a lack of intelligence but a moral and spiritual disposition of mind that rejects wisdom and truth, particularly divine instruction. It’s an active and willful resistance to sound judgment.
- is the punishment (מוּסָר, mūsār): This word literally means "discipline," "instruction," or "correction." However, in the context of a fool, the muwsar they receive is often painful consequence, chastisement, or judgment because they reject initial, benevolent instruction. Their own folly becomes the "teacher" through bitter experience and negative outcomes.
- of fools (כְּסִילִים, kĕsîlîm): The plural of kesil, a typical Hebrew term for a particular type of fool—one who is dull, obstinate, and self-confident, refusing instruction and often displaying a lack of moral discernment. These are individuals characterized by their consistent embrace of folly.
- Understanding is a fountain of life: This phrase conveys the generative and sustaining power of true discernment. It implies that understanding nourishes one's entire being, leading to genuine flourishing and an abundant existence. It’s a dynamic source of all that is good.
- folly is the punishment of fools: This powerful contrast highlights that folly is not merely a misstep but a destructive state that intrinsically brings about its own consequences. The very nature of foolishness becomes the "discipline" or "punishment" that adheres to those who live by it, indicating an inevitable and often self-inflicted retribution.
Proverbs 16 22 Bonus section
- The proverb operates on the principle of intrinsic consequences: wisdom inherently produces life, and folly inherently produces negative discipline/destruction. The results are woven into the fabric of the choice.
- The "fountain of life" metaphor underlines the idea that true understanding from God is dynamic, regenerative, and ever-flowing, unlike the dry wells or fleeting pleasures promised by worldly wisdom or ungodly pursuits.
- The dual aspect of muwsar (discipline) for the fool suggests that while a wise person embraces instruction for growth, a fool receives their "instruction" through bitter experiences and consequences they cannot escape.
Proverbs 16 22 Commentary
Proverbs 16:22 profoundly articulates the divergent paths and inherent destinies tied to one's disposition towards wisdom and folly. Understanding, originating from divine wisdom, acts as an unceasing source of life, offering comprehensive vitality and true well-being to all who embrace and internalize it. This speaks to life that is not just biological existence but flourishing in all aspects—spiritual, moral, and practical. Conversely, deliberate foolishness, characterized by a rejection of truth and God's ways, inevitably serves as its own harsh "discipline" or destructive force for those who persist in it. The consequences of folly are not arbitrary external punishments but are intrinsic to its very nature; folly itself teaches through pain and brings ruin upon those defined by it. The verse powerfully demonstrates that one's character, cultivated by choosing understanding or embracing folly, fundamentally shapes one's ultimate fate and experience.