Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
Parallel translations
- WEB Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
- KJV Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
- 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?
- 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 sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
- Prov 23:23Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
- Acts 28:26–27saying, ‘Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
- Prov 8:4–5“To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
- Deut 5:29Oh that there were such a 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 forever!
- Prov 18:15The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- 2 Cor 6:1Working together, we entreat also that you not receive the grace of God in vain,
- Prov 1:22–23“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
- Ps 81:11–13But my people didn’t listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.
- John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
- Hos 4:11Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.
- Acts 13:46Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
- Prov 9:4–6“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- Prov 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
- Isa 55:1–3“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.