Proverbs 16:16

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

Proverbs 16:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:16

How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold?
&c.] To obtain and possess Christ, the fountain of wisdom, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which treasures are infinitely preferable to thousands of gold and silver; to gain the knowledge of him, and of God in him, with which eternal life is connected, and in comparison of which all things are loss and dung; to have wisdom in the hidden part, or grace in the heart, which is much more precious than gold that perisheth; to have a spiritual experimental knowledge of the Gospel, and the truths of it, which are more to be desired than gold, yea, than fine gold; all which are to be got by diligent search and inquiry, by prayer and asking for, and to be had or bought without money and without price; and the getting of them is above all other gettings; such wisdom is more valuable in itself, has a greater intrinsic worth in it than gold; it is more profitable and useful, more solid and satisfying; it is not only better, but it is abundantly better, it is inexpressibly so; it cannot be well said how much better it is, and therefore it is put by way of question and admiration; see ( Proverbs 3:13-15 ) ( 4:7 ) ; and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver?
the same thing is designed as before, expressed in different words; a spiritual understanding of Christ and the Gospel, and an experience of the grace of God; though some, as Gersom, think that wisdom is something better than understanding, as gold, to which it is preferred, is better than silver. The Septuagint render it,

``nests of wisdom, and nests of understanding;''

and the Arabic version,

``buds of wisdom, and buds of understanding.''

Proverbs 16:16 In-Context

14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.

15 When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.