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Proverbs Chapter 16

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 33 Verses

What is Proverbs 16 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.
3Commit thy works unto Jehovah, And thy purposes shall be established.
4Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: [Though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.
7When a man`s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.
9A man`s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
11A just balance and scales are Jehovah`s; All the weights of the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.
14The wrath of a king is [as] messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king`s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him [thereto].
27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.
30He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“The preparations of the heart in man, etc.] The sense of these words, according to our version, depends upon the next clause, and the meaning of the whole is, that a man can neither think nor speak without God: the “orderings” or “marshallings of the heart”f459, as it may be rendered; that is, of the thoughts of the heart, which are generally irregular and confused; the ranging them in order, as an army in battle array, or as things regularly placed on a well furnished table; the fixing them on any particular subject, though about things civil and natural, so as closely to attend to them, and proceed in a regular…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 16:1-33) preparations--schemes. in man--or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him. the answer . . . Lord--The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The proverbs in Proverbs 16:1-7 have, more than any other group, an especially religious character impressed upon them. The name of Yahweh as Giver, Guide, Ruler, or Judge, meets us in each of them. Proverbs 16:1 Better, The plans of the heart belong to man, but the utterance of the tongue is from Yahweh. Thoughts come and go, as it were, spontaneously; but true, well ordered speech is the gift of God. Compare Proverbs 16:9. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“From the Lord - Men can neither think nor speak wisely and well without Divine assistance. Proverbs 16:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“16:1 Our own plans will come to fruition only if God allows (see also 16:9, 33; Jas 4:13-16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“preparations: or, disposings, Pro 16:9, Pro 19:21, Pro 20:24, Pro 21:1; Ch2 18:31; Ezr 7:27; Neh 1:11; Psa 10:17, Psa 119:36; Jer 10:23, Jer 32:39, Jer 32:40; Eze 36:26, Eze 36:27; Co2 8:16; Phi 2:13; Jam 1:16-18 and: Exo 4:11, Exo 4:12, Exo 4:15; Jer 1:7-9; Mat 10:19, Mat 10:20; Luk 12:11, Luk 12:12, Luk 21:14, Luk 21:15 Proverbs 16:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“Four proverbs of God, the disposer of all things: 1 Man's are the counsels of the heart; But the answer of the tongue cometh from Jahve. Gesen., Ewald, and Bertheau incorrectly understand 1b of hearing, i.e., of a favourable response to what the tongue wishes; 1a speaks not of wishes, and the gen. after מענה (answer) is, as at Pro 15:23; Mic 3:7, and also here, by virtue of the parallelism, the gen. subjecti Pro 15:23 leads to the right sense, according to which a good answer is joy to him to whom it refers: it does not always happen to one to find the fitting and effective expression for that which he has in his…”
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