Proverbios 16:16

16 ¡Cuánto mejor es adquirir sabiduría que oro,
y el buen juicio que la plata!

Proverbios 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.''

Proverbios 16:16 In-Context

14 El enojo del rey es amenaza de muerte;
el sabio tratará de aplacarlo.

15 Cuando el rey sonríe, hay vida;
su favor refresca como lluvia de primavera.

16 ¡Cuánto mejor es adquirir sabiduría que oro,
y el buen juicio que la plata!

17 El camino de los íntegros lleva lejos del mal;
quien lo siga estará a salvo.

18 El orgullo va delante de la destrucción,
y la arrogancia antes de la caída.