Proverbs 17:24

Proverbs 17:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
• New International Version (NIV)A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Context of Proverbs 17:24

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.

Proverbs 17:24 word by word

אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י מֵבִ֣ין חָכְמָ֑ה וְעֵינֵ֥י כְ֝סִ֗יל בִּקְצֵה־אָֽרֶץ׃Read the interlinear

• Wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• is the focusאֵת'êth · withH854
• is the focusפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• of the discerningבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• but the eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• of a foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• wander to the endsקָצֶהqâtseh qêtseh · endH7097
• of the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:24

• Proverbs 14:6A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
• Proverbs 15:14A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
• Ecclesiastes 2:14The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.
• Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.
• John 7:17If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.
• Proverbs 23:5When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
• Psalms 119:37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
• Ecclesiastes 6:9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
• 1 John 2:16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Are in the ends of the earth - Wisdom is within the sight and reach at every man: but he whose desires are scattered abroad, who is always aiming at impossible things, or is of an unsteady disposition, is not likely to find it.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Before him - Set straight before his eyes as the mark to which they look. Others, following the Septuagint and Vulgate, interpret the verse, Wisdom is seen in the clear, stedfast look of the wise man as contrasted with the wandering gaze of the fool.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24Wisdom is not natural; you must seek it. Wise people work hard to gain wisdom, but fools cannot stay focused.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. Wisdom ... him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:24

• Fool
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Ends of the Earth
• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Eye
• Fool; Folly

Commentaries on Proverbs 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings