The Nugget:
Pro 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? (KJV)
Pro 17:16 Why is this—a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none? (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)
Pro 17:16 Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief. (LXX, Brenton translation of the Greek Septuagint)
Pro 17:16 What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils. (DRB, Douay Rheims Bible)
Pro 17:16 What’s the point of a fool having money in hand to buy wisdom, when his head is empty? (NET Bible)
Pro 17:16 It does a fool no good to spend money on an education, because he has no common sense. (GNB, Good News Bible)
Pro 17:16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? (GW, God’s Word Bible)
Pro 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding? (ASV, American Standard Version)
Pro 17:16 Why should fools have money for an education when they refuse to learn? (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
There is much hidden wisdom in Proverbs 17:16. It has much to say about getting an education. If a student is unable to read well with discernment, the student is not prepared to get a college education. If a student simply takes the word of a teacher or professor without question, the student will easily be led astray. The Bible cautions us to “prove all things” and “hold fast what is true” (see 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Notice the varied marks of the poorly prepared or unprepared students: they (1) refuse to learn, DRB; (2) their head is empty, NET; (3) have no common sense, GNB; (4) don’t have a mind to grasp anything, GW; (5) have no understanding, ASV.
Though written long ago, Proverbs 17:16 describes the plight and condition of many students and some of their teachers and professors today.
I believe there are some very simple and effective strategies parents, wise teachers, and students themselves can apply to overcome these tragic conditions.
If anyone who reads this post is interested in learning more about the strategies I have found to work to help students do better, post a comment or question below. I am always happy to share my advice when asked.
To learn more about what else the Bible says about the subjects mentioned in Proverbs 17:16 read and study the cross references shared below from my Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
Proverbs 17:16
a price. T1834, *Pro 1:22; *Pro 1:23; Pro 8:4, 5; *Pro 9:4, 5, 6, *Isa 55:1, 2, 3, Act 13:46, *2Co 6:1.
fool. T200-18, +Psa 10:4 (T693). *Jer 4:22.
seeing. Pro 1:7; Pro 1:25; *Pro 14:6; *Pro 18:15; Pro 21:25, 26, Deut 5:29, Psa 81:11, 12, 13, *Hos 4:11, *Jhn 3:20, Act 28:26, 27.
no heart. or, sense. FS121J23, Job 12:3, Heart put by the Figure Metonymy (of Subject) for the sense in it. 2Ch 30:10, Luk 4:28; Luk 23:11, Jhn 5:40; Jhn 8:45, Act 17:32, 33; Act 24:25, 26, 27; Act 26:28.