Proverbs 16:16
NASB Lexicon
NASB ©HebrewStrong'sOrigin
Howמַה־
(mah-)
4100: what? how? anythinga prim. interrogative and indefinite particle
much betterטֹּ֥וב
(to·vv)
2896a: pleasant, agreeable, goodfrom tob
it is to getקְֽנֹה־
(ke·noh-)
7069: to get, acquirea prim. root
wisdomחָכְמָ֗ה
(cha·che·mah)
2451: wisdomfrom chakam
than 
 
4480: froma prim. preposition
gold!מֵחָר֑וּץ
(me·cha·rutz;)
2742d: goldfrom an unused word
And to getוּקְנֹ֥ות
(u·ke·no·vt)
7069: to get, acquirea prim. root
understandingבִּ֝ינָ֗ה
(bi·nah)
998: an understandingfrom bin
is to be chosenנִבְחָ֥ר
(niv·char)
977: to choosea prim. root
above 
 
4480: froma prim. preposition
silver.מִכָּֽסֶף׃
(mik·ka·sef.)
3701: silver, moneyfrom kasaph


















KJV Lexicon
How much better
towb  (tobe)
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun
is it to get
qanah  (kaw-naw')
to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
wisdom
chokmah  (khok-maw')
wisdom (in a good sense) -- skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
than gold
charuwts  (khaw-roots')
decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.
and to get
qanah  (kaw-naw')
to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
understanding
biynah  (bee-naw')
understanding -- knowledge, meaning, perfectly, understanding, wisdom.
rather to be chosen
bachar  (baw-khar')
to try, i.e. (by implication) select -- acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
than silver
keceph  (keh'-sef)
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money -- money, price, silver(-ling).
Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

King James Bible
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Get wisdom-- how much better it is than gold! And get understanding-- it is preferable to silver.

International Standard Version
How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom, the attainment of wisdom better than silver!

NET Bible
How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Possessing wisdom is better than gold, and possessing understanding, better than silver.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.

King James 2000 Bible
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
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