Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16 belongs to the collection of "the proverbs of Solomon" that begins at Proverbs 10:1. The themes of the fear of the LORD and humility that close chapter 15 carry over into the opening of this chapter. Rather than forming a connected narrative, the chapter consists of a series of short, self-contained sayings.

Structure

• Verses 1–9 gather sayings teaching that although people make plans, it is the LORD who determines the outcome and directs their steps. A warning against the proud appears alongside the saying that a little with righteousness is better than great revenues.
• Verses 10–15 are sayings about the king. They address righteous judgment, the king who delights in honest speech, and the king's wrath and favor.
• Verses 16–19 declare that wisdom is better than gold and warn that pride goes before destruction.
• Verses 20–24 concern the one who heeds the word and the wise mouth, comparing pleasant words to a honeycomb.
• Verses 25–30 speak of a way that seems right to a man but ends in death. They also describe the conduct of the ungodly man, the froward man, and the violent man.
• Verses 31–33 compare the hoary head to a crown of glory and commend the one who is slow to anger. The final verse, verse 33, declares that even the outcome of the casting of lots rests with the LORD.

Key Verses

• Proverbs 16:3 "Commit thy works unto the LORD" — a verse that distills the relationship between planning and trust. It is treated in detail in Proverbs 16:1–3.
• Proverbs 16:9 "the LORD directeth his steps" — frequently cited in discussions of God's providence.
• Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction" — a classic proverb warning against pride.

People and Places

No specific individuals or places appear in the chapter. The LORD appears repeatedly as the subject, and "the king" appears without a name as a generic ruler.

Points for Reflection

• Interpretations of verse 4 ("even the wicked for the day of evil") differ. The Calvinist tradition often cites it as a verse that displays God's sovereignty. Other interpreters read it as describing a moral order in which the wicked ultimately come to judgment.
• Verse 9 expresses the same idea as Proverbs 19:21 and James 4:13–15.
• The casting of lots in verse 33 is often discussed together with the scene in Acts 1 in which Matthias is chosen as an apostle.

In the Korean Church

Verses 3 and 9 are commonly used on New Year's Scripture cards and as church theme verses. Verse 18 is frequently cited in sermons warning against pride.