The Meaning of Proverbs 15:16 Explained

Proverbs 15:16

KJV: Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

YLT: Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.

Darby: Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.

ASV: Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Discover Proverbs 15:16

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Proverbs 15:16?

MEANING: What does Proverbs 15:16 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:16 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Proverbs 15:16?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Better  [is] little  with the fear  of the LORD  than great  treasure  and trouble  therewith. 

What does Proverbs 15:16 Mean?

Study Notes

fear
Also; Proverbs 14:26 , .
fear of the Lord
The "fear of the Lord," a phrase of the O.T. piety, meaning reverential trust, with hatred of evil.

Context Summary

Proverbs 15:1-17 - Kind Words And Glad Hearts
A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright-these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God's Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3, r.v.
Notice, also, the inducements to a right and holy life! Treasure in the house; answered prayer; the love of God; a cheerful heart; a contented mind-such are some of the by-products and experiences of those whose life is "hid with Christ in God." When we put first things in the first place, all else is added.
What a comfort it is that God searcheth our hearts and knoweth them altogether! Yes, and even when He chastens and corrects us, it is well. There is no bliss comparable to that of the forgiven sinner, who is called into "the secret place of the Most High." [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath

What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:16 mean?

Better [is] a little with the fear of Yahweh Than treasure great and trouble with
טוֹב־ מְ֭עַט בְּיִרְאַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה מֵאוֹצָ֥ר רָ֝֗ב וּמְה֥וּמָה בֽוֹ

טוֹב־  Better  [is] 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
מְ֭עַט  a  little 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: מְעַט  
Sense: littleness, few, a little, fewness.
בְּיִרְאַ֣ת  with  the  fear 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: יִרְאָה  
Sense: fear, terror, fearing.
יְהוָ֑ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מֵאוֹצָ֥ר  Than  treasure 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֹוצָר  
Sense: treasure, storehouse.
רָ֝֗ב  great 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
וּמְה֥וּמָה  and  trouble 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְהוּמָה  
Sense: tumult, confusion, disquietude, discomfiture, destruction, trouble, vexed, vexation.

What are the major concepts related to Proverbs 15:16?

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Similar Scriptures for Proverbs 15:16

Proverbs 16:8 [7]
1 Timothy 6:6 [6]
Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 [5]
Psalms 37:16 [5]
Proverbs 28:6 [3]
Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 [2]
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 [2]
Proverbs 10:22 [2]