Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Parallel translations
- WEB Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
- BSB Why should the fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?
- NKJV Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?
- NASB Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
- NLT It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
It is futile for a fool to have money to buy wisdom when he has no heart to receive it. It matters because wisdom cannot be purchased without a teachable, willing heart.
Overview
This proverb poses a pointed question: what use is money in a fool's hand to acquire wisdom when he lacks the desire and capacity to gain understanding? Wisdom requires a receptive heart, not merely resources. It underscores that true understanding is a matter of disposition and the fear of the Lord, not mere acquisition.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Prov 21:25–26The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
- Prov 23:23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
- Acts 28:26–27Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
- Prov 8:4–5Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
- Deut 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
- Prov 18:15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
- 2 Cor 6:1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
- Prov 1:22–23How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
- Ps 81:11–13But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
- John 3:20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
- Hos 4:11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
- Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
- Prov 9:4–6Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
- Prov 14:6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
- Isa 55:1–3Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 17:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.