Proverbs 17:16

“Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, etc.] 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…”

“Though wealth cannot buy wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth (Pro 3:16; Pro 14:24).”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A price - Opportunities and abilities of getting it. No heart - Neither discretion to discern the worth of wisdom, nor any sincere desire to get it. Proverbs 17:17”

“a price: Pro 1:22, Pro 1:23, Pro 8:4, Pro 8:5, Pro 9:4-6; Isa 55:1-3; Act 13:46; Co2 6:1 seeing: Pro 14:6, Pro 18:15, Pro 21:25, Pro 21:26; Deu 5:29; Psa 81:11-13; Hos 4:11; Joh 3:20; Act 28:26, Act 28:27 Proverbs 17:17”

“We take Pro 17:16-21 together. This group beings with a proverb of the heartless, and ends with one of the perverse-hearted; and between these there are not wanting noticeable points of contact between the proverbs that follow one another. Pro 17:16 16 Why the ready money in the hand of the fool; To get wisdom when he has yet no heart? The question is made pointed by זה, thus not: why the ready money when...? Is it to obtain wisdom? - the whole is but one question, the reason of which is founded in לבו אין (thus to be accented with Mugrash going before). (Note: If we write ולב־ with Makkeph, then we have to accentuate לקנות חכמה with Tarcha Munach, because the Silluk word in this writing has…”