Spreuken 16:16

16 Hoeveel beter is het wijsheid te bekomen, dan uitgegraven goud, en uitnemender, verstand te bekomen, dan zilver!

Spreuken 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.''

Spreuken 16:16 In-Context

14 De grimmigheid des konings is als de boden des doods; maar een wijs man zal die verzoenen.

15 In het licht van des konings aangezicht is leven; en zijn welgevallen is als een wolk des spaden regens.

16 Hoeveel beter is het wijsheid te bekomen, dan uitgegraven goud, en uitnemender, verstand te bekomen, dan zilver!

17 De baan der oprechten is van het kwaad af te wijken; hij behoedt zijn ziel, die zijn weg bewaart.

18 Hovaardigheid is voor de verbreking, en hoogheid des geestes voor den val.