Proverbs 17:16

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? WHEREFORE (IS THERE) A PRICE (LITERALLY, THIS PRICE: DEMONSTRATIVELY) IN THE HAND OF A FOOL TO GET WISDOM, SEEING (HE HATH) NO HEART (TO IT)? Why has he in his power the wealth and other means of obtaining wisdom, when he has no heart for it? Wealth is given to us by God in order that by its help we may advance in piety and wisdom. Money will obtain the help of teachers, both the living and the dead-namely, good and pious books-and other helps. Practical benevolence, in giving to the Lord's needy people, is a means of increasing in heavenly wisdom. But wealth without the heart, or teachable, humble, God-fearing mind, is of no avail for acquiring wisdom....

More literally: Why is there a price in the hand of a fool? Is it to get wisdom when he has no heart for it? No money will avail without the understanding heart....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 17:1 (Comp, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 15:17; Proverbs 16:8.) BETTER (sweeter) IS A DRY MORSEL, AND QUIETNESS THEREWITH. Dry bread was soaked in wine or water before it was eaten. Thus Boaz bid Ruth "dip her morsel in the vinegar" (Ruth 2:14); thus Jesus gave the sop to Judas when he had dipped it (John 13:26). The Septuagint is pleonastic, "Better is a morsel with joy in peace." Ab

WHEREFORE [IS THERE] A PRICE IN THE HAND OF A FOOL TO GET WISDOM,.... Natural wisdom and knowledge. By this "price" may be meant money, riches, worldly substance, of which a foolish man is possessed; by means of which he might purchase useful books for the improvement of his mind, and procure himself instructors that might be very useful to him; but instead of seeking after that which he most wants, and making use of his substance to furnish him with it, he spends it on his back and belly, in fine clothes and luxurious living; in rioting and drunkenness, in chambering and wantonness, at balls and plays, in taverns and brothel houses: or spiritual wisdom and knowledge; the means of which are reading the word, hearing the Gospel, frequent opportunities of attendance on a Gospel ministry, in season and out of season, and conversation with Gospel ministers and other Christians; but, instead...

CHAPTER 17 DIVERSE PROVERBS Of the twenty-eight proverbs found in this chapter we point out but a few. “The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the LORD trieth the hearts” (Proverbs 17:3). Man may try silver and gold, but God only the hearts. And He tries the hearts by the refining process, trials and afflictions, the process which rests in His own hands. (See Psalms 66:10; Malachi 3:3; 1 Peter 1:7 .) “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends” (Proverbs 17:9). To

PROVERBS 17. Fresh points are the rise of the able and clever slave to a place in the family (Proverbs 17:2), the practice of bribes (Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 17:23), the value of adversity as a test of friendship (Proverbs 17:17): also the subject of suretyship, dealt with in Proverbs 6:1, is resumed (Proverbs 17:18). PROVERBS 17:1. For the connexion betwee

WHEREFORE IS THERE. PRICE, &C.. Why is this ready money in the hand of. fool to get wisdom when he has no sense? Illustrations: Israel (2 Chronicles 30:10); the Jews (Luke 4:28); Herod Antipas (Luke 23:11); Jews (John 5:40; John 8:45); Athenians (Acts 17:32; Acts 17:33); Felix (Acts 24:25); Agrippa ...

_heart_ i.e. UNDERSTANDING, R.V.; see Proverbs 15:32, note. We might almost render, CAPACITY. Wisdom cannot be bought for a price: it can only be assimilated by a wise, or wisdom-loving heart. Its words are φωνᾶντα συνετοῖσι; its teachers teach, πνευματικοῖς πνευματικὰ συγκρίνοντες, "interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men" (as some translate 1 Corinthians 2:13). So was Incarnate Wisdom wont to cry, "Who hath ears to hear let him hear" (Matthew 13:9 ff.; comp. Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17;...

WHEREFORE IS THERE A PRICE, &C.— _What would it profit a fool to have that wherewith he might purchase wisdom, whilst he hath no heart?_ Houbigant. No discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, no desire to gain it, no understanding to use it properly?...

TEXT Proverbs 17:11-19 11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house. 14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah. 16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? 17. A friend loveth at all times; And brother is born for adversity. 18. A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becomet