Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Proverbs 16:22 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Pr 16:22 |
King James |
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Understanding--or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pro 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Wellspring of life - Compare Pro 10:11 note. "the instruction of fools" Not that which they give, but that which they receive. Compare Pro 14:24. "Folly" is its own all-sufficient punishment. |
Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
22 A fountain of life is understanding to its possessor;
But the correction of fools is folly.
Oetinger, Bertheau, and others erroneously understand מוּסר of the education which fools bestow upon others; when fools is the subject spoken of, מוּסר is always the education which is bestowed on them, Pro 7:22; Pro 1:7; cf. Pro 5:23; Pro 15:5. Also מוסר does not here mean education, disciplina, in the moral sense (Symmachus, ἔννοια; Jerome, doctrina): that which fools gain from education, from training, is folly, for מוסר is the contrast to מקור חיּים, and has thus the meaning of correction or chastisement, Pro 15:10, Jer 30:14. And that the fruits of understanding (Pro 12:8, cf. שׂכל טוב, fine culture, Pro 13:15) represented by מקור חיים (vid., Pro 10:11) will accrue to the intelligent themselves, is shown not only by the contrast, but also by the expression: Scaturigo vitae est intellectus praeditorum eo, of those (= to those) who are endowed therewith (The lxx well, τοῖς κεκτημένοις). The man of understanding has in this intellectual possession a fountain of strength, a source of guidance, and a counsel which make his life secure, deepen, and adorn it; while, on the contrary, folly punishes itself by folly (cf. to the form, Pro 14:24), for the fool, when he does not come to himself (Psa 107:17-22), recklessly destroys his own prosperity. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
The instruction - Their most grave and serious counsels are foolish. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Understanding is a well-spring of life - מקור חיים mekor chaiyim; another allusion to the artery that carries the blood from the heart to distribute it to all the extremities of the body. |
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;